Seeing Scripture as Art: Creative Expression in Biblical Literature
Seeing Scripture as Art
The Bible is more than a collection of teachings or a record of God’s actions in history—it’s also a story. The biblical authors skillfully used artistic and literary techniques to show their readers who God is and how he works in the world. In this richly diverse collection drawn from the archives of Bible Study Magazine, Eli T. Evans shows readers how interesting, inspiring, and even fun it can be to look at the Bible as art.
Top Highlights
“The Bible is natural in form, but supernatural in substance” (source)
“It’s no accident that the golden calf episode is sandwiched between the description of the tabernacle and its eventual creation. While Yahweh instructs Moses on precisely the style of worship he desires, the people choose a worship style for themselves. The issue is partly that the people are worshiping idols, but also that their calling it a ‘feast to the Lord’ is bogus (32:5). In their impatience, the people elevate their own self-expression above Yahweh’s; in the process, they drag him down to the level of pagan gods, which need statues to give them substance. But Yahweh needs no idol because he simply is (Exod 3:13–15). The most sacred object in Israelite worship is not a representation of Yahweh, but an empty seat for him atop the ark of the covenant (25:21–22).” (source)
“God chose to package His message not as dry advice for daily living, but as a vivid story filled with emotion and drama. Even the Law itself is embedded within the story of the exodus from Egypt. As a result, the regulations are enriched with context, consequence, and meaning.” (source)
“Elisha’s request to ‘kiss his mother and father’—getting his affairs in order before leaving his former life behind—shouldn’t cast doubt on his commitment. He sacrifices his team of oxen, literally laying down his livelihood to take up the life of an itinerate prophet (compare Matt 8:22; 10:38–39; 19:21; Luke 9:57–62).” (source)
“Elisha becomes a student who surpasses his master. He asks for a ‘double portion’ of the spirit Elijah had (2 Kgs 2:9) and indeed he performs twice as many miracles. The miracles of Elisha demonstrate God’s control over all of nature (2:19–24; 3:17; 6:1–7), war (6:8–23), food (and the cycles of plenty and scarcity; 4:1–7, 38–44; 6:24–7:20), disease (5:1–14), and even birth and death itself (4:8–36).” (source)
Product Details
- Title: Seeing Scripture as Art: Creative Expression in Biblical Literature
- Author: Eli T. Evans
- Publisher: Lexham Press
- Publication Date: 2014
About Eli T. Evans
Eli T. Evans is the interaction designer behind Logos Bible Software 6 and Faithlife Study Bible. He is responsible for designing the user experience of most Logos products. Eli writes the “Bible as Art” column for Bible Study Magazine.