[Bible] Episode 262: Pete Enns & Jared Byas - Pete & Jared Aren’t Trying to Ruin Christmas (This Time)
Dec 18, 2023
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Pete Enns and Jared Byas discuss the historical context of Jesus' birth, the challenges of interpreting the virgin birth, the importance of understanding cultural and historical factors, and their intention to bring new meaning to Christmas while wrestling with the complexities of the Bible.
The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke are creative storytelling that emphasize the uniqueness of Jesus rather than strict historical accounts.
The gospels draw from Greco-Roman culture and employ storytelling conventions such as dreams and angelic presences to highlight the extraordinary nature of Jesus.
Deep dives
The Birth Narratives Employ Conventions
The birth narratives in Matthew and Luke utilize conventions and draw from Jewish tradition, such as Isaiah 7:14. These narratives are not historical accounts in a strict sense, but rather creative storytelling that aims to emphasize the uniqueness of Jesus.
The Influence of Greco-Roman Culture
The birth narratives in the gospels are influenced by Greco-Roman culture and its conventions for storytelling. These narratives employ elements like dreams, angelic presences, and signs, which were common in stories of extraordinary figures during that time. The gospels are part of the genre of ancient biography and participate in these conventions.
The Bible Is Constrained by Tradition and Culture
The Bible is not free from the influence of tradition and culture. The gospel writers were humans shaped by their socio-historical context, and their writings reflect this reality. Understanding the historical context of the Bible is an important factor in interpreting its message.
Engaging in Meaning-Making and Dialogue
Engaging with the factors of tradition, culture, and historical context allows for a meaningful interpretation of the Bible. It is essential to approach the text with openness and a willingness to engage in dialogue within our communities of faith. Embracing the mystery and acknowledging the complexity of interpretation can lead to a deeper understanding of the biblical message.
Join us for the final episode of The Bible for Normal PeopleSeason 7 as Pete and Jared end the year on an easy note by tackling the cultural, historical, and societal context of the birth of Jesus as found in the Bible.