What does the phrase "Theologized History" mean? How does viewing the narrative parts of the Bible in this way change how we interpret them?
Theologized history means that the style of writing is a description and accounting of history tells a specific story which is purposeful. The history is laid how in a dramatic fashion with points of view leading to the end goal - in knowing this we can account for a couple of variables. 1.) The language and literature may not be direct in pure fact. 2.) There is bias tied to the narration. Both of these statements require that we interpret the theologized history as more than a statement of facts, but rather as a continuous plot line with each part aiding in the whole. Additionally, it requires that we interpret the "story" with a lens that dives deeper into the context, understanding the purpose of the narration and avoiding taking the text at just face value. There is a difference between reading a history book and reading the Bible because of this Theologized History, meaning you can't separate out parts of the literature from the whole, and the accounting is meant to be a study of the whole rather than a line by line fact finding mission. In reading and engaging with scripture, the study of it requires the background, and analyzing why the original author was including specific parts and pieces into the narration.
Which of the characteristics or principles of biblical letters was new to you? How does that principle inform your understanding of these letters?
While I believe that I had an understanding of the principles of the biblical letters and recognized the patterns of how they were laid out, what was new was understanding that the thanksgiving at the front half of each letter was a cultural greeting. Knowing the characteristics of the biblical letters, however, did emphasize that it is important to know the historical background the audience receiving the letter, why the author had wrote it specifically to that body, and the purpose behind each letter. Understanding these elements allows us to see the intention, and stirs our curiosity to WHY specific guidelines and conversations were varying to different churches and people.