Is This Real Life: Recognizing Biblical Genre

How to Read the Bible, Part 3

A few years ago, I decided to watch an action

movie on Netflix. I chose one. It was pretty lame—but that is beside the point.

As I watched it, my daughter (Quinn) came into the room and watched a scene where the White House was getting taken over by a bunch of criminals. In hindsight, I probably should have told her to leave the room quicker—but that is also beside the point.

Over dinner that night, Quinn, very concerned, asked me, “Is the White House going to be okay? How can we help?” This was the moment I had to teach Quinn a lesson on genre. There is a difference between action-packed fictional story-telling and dramatized documentaries.

Her mind was blown by the fact that it was on TV but was not, in fact, “real life.”

This led to an even deeper conversation about all the different kinds of genres—action, drama, romantic comedies, etc.

Believe it or not, the Bible isn’t a single-genre book either.

Biblical Genre

The Bible contains various genres, from poetry to prophecy to historical narrative. Just like you wouldn’t approach a stand-up comedy special with the same mindset as a crime drama, understanding the genre of a biblical passage is crucial to interpreting it correctly.

Genres aren’t just about categorizing books; they shape how we read, understand, and apply the text. The Bible contains different literary styles, and knowing what you’re reading helps you approach it correctly.

For example, when you read a parable, you’re looking for the more profound truth it teaches, not trying to figure out if the story happened. On the other hand, when reading historical narratives, like Samuel’s anointing David as king, you’re dealing with actual events that form the foundation of our faith.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 (ESV) says, "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven." This applies to reading the Bible, too—there’s a time for interpreting poetry, a time for diving into prophecy, and a time for understanding history.

Biblical Genres

What follows is a list of common genres within the biblical text, but just now, even the genres listed have subsets.

[[ For what it’s worth, it’s essential first to say that the biblical genre is relatively complex, so to narrow this down to a simple list is a bit of an insufficient task, but this will at least start you down the right path. ]]

• Historical Narrative

  • Books like Genesis, Exodus, and the Gospels tell the story of God’s relationship with his people. These are historical accounts, so read them like a history book but with an eye toward what God reveals about himself.

  • [[ For what it’s worth, some parts of these books use literary devices that may not convey historical narrative. We will talk about literary devices later. ]]

• Poetry & Wisdom Literature

  • Psalms, Proverbs, and parts of the Prophets fall into this category. Biblical poetry often uses vivid imagery and metaphor, so don’t get caught up in making everything literal. The Psalms, for example, are full of parallelism—one line echoes or expands on the next. Psalm 23:1 (ESV) says, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." This isn’t meant to be a detailed description of a farm; it’s a metaphor for God’s care and provision.

• Prophecy & Apocalyptic Literature

  • Books like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Revelation are packed with symbolic language, foretelling God’s future plans. Prophecy can be tricky because it often has both immediate and long-term fulfillment. Take Isaiah 7:14 (ESV), which speaks of a virgin bearing a son—this had an immediate context but also pointed to the future coming of Jesus. When reading prophecy, focus on the big picture of God’s promises rather than trying to decode every symbol.

• Epistles

  • Letters like Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians are packed with theology and practical advice for living as a Christian. These letters were written to specific people or churches, but their teachings apply to us today. When reading epistles, think of them as letters from a mentor, full of wisdom for everyday life. In Ephesians 2:8 (ESV), for example, Paul writes, "For by grace you have been saved through faith." This is a timeless truth that applies to all believers.

Applying Genre

When you read the story of Jonah, you’re engaging with narrative. Understanding that it’s a historical account with prophetic elements helps you see the bigger picture—God’s relentless mercy and Jonah’s reluctant obedience.

On the other hand, when you read the book of Proverbs, you’re reading wisdom literature. Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV) says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." This isn’t a step-by-step guide but a principle for living a God-centered life.

N.T. Wright once said, "The Bible is like a symphony orchestra, with different instruments playing different parts." Understanding genre is like knowing when to listen to the strings and when to pay attention to the percussion. Each part adds to the overall beauty, but you need to know which instrument is playing to appreciate it fully.

Try it yourself! Read a passage from three genres—narrative, poetry, and epistle. You might start with a chapter in Genesis (narrative), a Psalm (poetry), and a section from Ephesians (epistle). Notice how the genre shapes your understanding. Ask yourself, "What is this passage teaching me, and how does the genre influence how I interpret it?"

Hopefully, That Made Sense

Recognizing the genre of a passage is like figuring out whether you’re watching a comedy or a drama—it changes how you interpret what’s happening. The Bible is an intricate, beautiful collection of different genres, and learning to appreciate those styles is critical to understanding God’s word.

Next time you open your Bible, take a moment to ask yourself, "What kind of literature am I reading here?" Trust me, it will help in understanding the meaning of the text and its overall application in modern times—which, by the way, is where we are headed next!

Until next time,

Petey