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Literary Genres
Literary Genres Religion Study Guide
Answer | Question |
---|---|
Genre | A category or type of literature (or of art, music, etc.) characterized by a particular form, style, or content. |
Gospel | Proclamation of the "good news" about Jesus intended to establish and/or strengthen people’s faith in him a portrait of the life, teachings, and actions of Jesus. |
Acts of the Apostles | A partial narrative account about the beginnings & the growth of early Christianity; it focuses on the actions of a few missionary leaders (especially Peter, Paul and Barnabas) |
Letters | Real writings addressing practical & theological issues relevant to particular communities/cities (most were written by Paul) |
Pastoral Epistle | One of three New Testament letters including two addressed to Timothy and one to Titus that give advice on matters of Church government and discipline. |
General Letters | Another name for the Catholic Letters which were written by a specific person to a wider audience instead of to a particular individual or community. |
Church Orders | A collections of instructions for the practical organization of religious ommunities (such as 1 Timothy) |
Homily | A sermon that cites and interprets biblical texts in reference to Jesus. |
Sermon on the Mount | An ethical discourse delivered by Jesus and recorded in Matthew 5-7. It contains a summary of Jesus’ teachings. |
Wisdom Collection | A collection of general instructions on how to live well an ethical Christian life (James) |
Epistles | A stylized work in letter format; each is written either to individuals, communities or to Christians in general. |
Apocalypse | A vividly symbolic narrative that "reveals" God’s views about an historical crisis, in order to provide encouragement for a difficult time in the present, and a hope for a better future (Book of revelation) |
Parable | A metaphor or simile drawn from nature or common life and told in a simple story or riddle; it uses comparisons to teach a moral or lesson. |
Hymn | A song of praise or thanksgiving, especially to God. |
Didactic Narrative | A longer piece of writing intended to instruct in moral areas. |
Allegory | A literary or pictorial device in which each literal character, object or event represents a symbol illustrating an idea, a moral or religious principle. |
Creed | A formal statement of religious belief or confession of faith. |
Elegy | A poem or song composed especially as a lament for one who is dead. |
Lament | To mourn out loud; it refers to a song or poem expressing grief for some situation. |
Law | The body of principles or precepts held to express the divine will, especially as revealed in the Bible. |
Liturgy | The established form for a public religious service or ritual. |
Prophecy | The inspired utterance of someone who gives a declaration of divine will. |
Canticle | A liturgical song found in the Bible such as Mary’s Magnificat. |
Synoptic | Viewing the first three gospels from the same perspective; the word means "to look at together." |