Why is biblical poetry more difficult to interpret than other genres?
As an interpreter, shifting between languages is difficult - poetry is adding multiple layers of complexity from the source language and culture. Poetry is perhaps the most challenging writing convention used in the Bible. The use of figurative language has built in social and cultural information that may not be easily translated. This is where my brain first traveled given my profession. With March is Reading Month in many schools I think of those who are dealing with the wonders of Dr. Seuss' imagination. There is no visual equivalent to the nonsense words that simply play on our auditory enjoyment. I wonder about those who translated the Bible and the hours they must have spent seeking information that not only conveyed the right level of context but also honored the form of poetry. To create poems or songs that conveyed both the emotive and cultural information as we have in our current Bibles is a work of both the heart and mind.
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?
Scripture should never be treated carelessly, but I feel like the writings of Daniel and apocalyptic literature have been misused for years. I've lived through so many "signs" of the end times now. I wonder if there isn't a false sense of cathartic/cleansing of responsibility when the apocalyptic literature is quoted. The world is ending, so expect everything to get worse. I've seen this mentality in a number of ways during my lifetime. I've also seen where organizations have taken advantage of the fear "the end" has for followers. It preys on their lack of knowledge. It utilizes their sense of doom to create an irrational audience that will follow their leader into precarious and dangerous practices (Jonestown). It can also impact the mission of the local church to be "more" proactive for reaching the lost.The Bible needs to be read in context to avoid these errors. The cultural and historical information helps on so many levels to understand the message amongst all the words.