Poetry and Apocalypse Discussion

Week 5 - Alex

Week 5 - Alex

by Alex Nagy -
Number of replies: 3

Why is biblical poetry more difficult to interpret than other genres?

I think it has to do partly with how peoples brains work. A creative mind might be able to interpret poetry with easy while a more analytical mind might struggle, wanting to make it literal or black and white. I think we also see this play out in different translations or versions of the bible where we see different words that might have the same meaning but are more easily understood by a certain personality.

The other part is the meter of poetry. It can be very different from how we are used to reading causing people to stubble more, have to re-read the same thing multiple times to understand what is being said and ultimately getting frustrated, or is that just me!


In what ways have you seen apocalyptic literature (Daniel and Revelation) interpreted poorly? How do the tips for interpreting Apocalyptic literature avoid abusing or misusing these texts?

The biggest way I've seen apocalyptic literature interpreted poorly is when it's interpreted literally. I can think of so many times that people have quoted Revelation in a literal sense or used the mark of the beast as a scare tactic.

I did really like the point about making sure you have a good study guide or reading material to help understand what apocalyptic literature is saying because I think that is crucial to gaining the best understanding of what you're reading. I also didn't think about the history aspect. It was a good reminder to learn the history even when reading a book like Revelation that is about the future.

In reply to Alex Nagy

Re: Week 5 - Alex

by Jorden Gemuend -
Alex, I always enjoy seeing your take on these discussions! I found your point about a difficulty of interpreting biblical poetry being that readers can see things as black and white interesting since this is how a lot of the poetry in the Bible presents things. I think especially of the Psalms, where there are such strong contrasts between good and evil, righteous and wicked. I know from my own life that all "righteous" people are sinners, and their righteousness is found in the redemptive power of Jesus. However, sometimes reading the black and whiteness of biblical poetry makes me wonder if I should be seeing things a bit more decisively? Does God separate different groups of people, or actions, so definitively? If I read the Old Testament, it feels like the answer is more easily yes, but the New Testament challenges that for me.
In reply to Jorden Gemuend

Re: Week 5 - Alex

by Jim Damman -
Jorden, Ive begun to wonder if the use of poetry as a literary way to convey information was God's way of leaning into His people with more of a creative mindset...the same people who might be bored and disengaged with prose style. Do you think God inspired scripture to be written in various styles to encompass various learning styles?!?
In reply to Alex Nagy

Re: Week 5 - Alex

by Ashley Duval -
Jordan, I definitely agree that poetic literature can be difficult to for some minds to want to spend time in or understand. I think often of my husband whose mind works VERY different than my own. He does not necessarily desire to spend time reading the same thing said, multiple different ways - which as pointed out much of the poetic language and literature DOES. He is the kind of person who is content with one illustration. I did have the thought to myself during this week's videos and readings that if the author is taking the time to expand on a specific thought for impact - perhaps I should be slowing down to heed the weight of the words. Personally, I actually find several of the Psalms the most difficult to get through!