Analysis of Biblical Text by Using Literary Criticism - Essay Example

Mark 4 9 The chosen Biblical text for examination is Mark 4 9. This text will be examined by using literary criticism. The reason for this choice is the parable chosen. Mark 4:1-9 relates the story of Jesus telling to story of the sower that went out to sow. Traditional, redaction, and form criticism would no do this parable justice. Since redaction criticism is a historical and literary discipline which studies both the ways the redactors/ editors/authors changed their sources and the seams or transitions they utilized to link those traditions into a unified whole, it would not be applicable to this passage. Form criticism which seeks the original or authentic tradition behind the final form found in the Gospels, but tends to assume that the Evangelists were mere scissors-and-paste editors who artificially strung together the traditions they inherited would likewise not be applicable. Tradition criticism tries to reconstruct the history or develop merit of the Gospel traditions from the earliest to the final form in the Gospels, but often ignores the contribution of the Evangelists, which also does not apply to this passage. This is why the parable will be examined by literary criticism. The sower parable is set by the seashore. Jesus got into the boat, while the masses were beside the sea on land. Historically this is accurate. Jesus was known to teach parables to the masses. It was also a Jewish tradition to gather and be taught by religious leaders and prophets. The only thing different between Jesus teachings and the Sadducee and the Pharisees was the place of teaching. Jesus taught outdoors, in the wilderness, and to the poor. The Sadducee and Pharisees taught in the Temple. Mark 1-9 is a parable taught by Jesus. This parable is taught by using the example of a sower sowing seeds. Jesus is showing how some seeds fall away on rocks, are choked by thorns, stolen by birds, or planted in good soil. Jesus used this parable to explain why all parables were taught (Blombery, 1990, 112). Jesus states in Mark 4:11-12: [11] and he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: [12] That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. (Revised Standard Version) Only those who are meant to understand will take the time to comprehend the parables, not just the one from Mark. An example, the seeds represent the Word of God. If the Word of God is stolen from a person, by false prophets or doubt, then the individual does not understand the Word of God. If the Word of God falls on the rock, where no root can take place, then once again an individual will not understand. However, if the Word of God falls on good ground, or an individual willing to listen, then the Word of God will be accepted. If the Word of God is accepted, then the individual will go out into the world evangelizing, spreading the Word of God, which will increase the number of converted. This allows the Word of God to multiply fruitfully. Jesus spoke the parable so the listener could reach their own interpretation. The parable is one lesson, but the delivery of the message is another. Many sermons have used this parable to describe the seeds as the Word of God and the resulting effects of the conditions as humans. However, Jesus also used this parable as an example of why He used parables. Faith is not easy. If everyone understood exactly what Jesus taught, then all could have the keys to heaven, even those who were the servants of Satan. Many renowned atheists have read the Bible. Madeline Murry OHare read the Bible from front to back, but still came away with the belief there is no God. If Jesus had spoken directly, where even atheists could understand, the blasphemers and followers of Satan would also understand. The whole concept of Jesus dying on the cross for His followers, man falling by the Original Sin, and Gods Truth would all be false. God is not a liar. Thus Jesus taught in parables. Theologically, the sower parable is about the seeds representing the Word of God. However, many have interpreted the sower as God. This is not logical. God is all knowing and perfect, thus when the parable relates (Mark 4:4) “as he sowed, some seed fell along the path”, this suggests an imperfect planter, more specifically a human sower. Human sowers accidentally let seed falls on the rocks or in thorns, only getting a percentage of their seeds to grow in good soils. Humans make mistakes, not God. It may seem like the sower is God at first glance, but in reality the sower represents more human traits. Thus it stands to reason the sower is evangelists, spreading the Word of God. A human, that is a Christian, can teach their beliefs to other people. Spreading the Gospel is a duty every Christian feels. However, some individuals preaching the Gospel face personal challenges that make the Word of God, or the seed, fall away, on rocks and in thorns. One example is a white supremacist would not be likely to listen to an African American spreading the Word of God. The sower has flaws, so a perfect message becomes flawed. Gods actions are represented symbolically in this parable. The bird, the rocky ground, the thorns, and the good soil all are representations actions of God. For example, the bird is the curse of pestilence sent by God upon the fall of man. The rocky ground represents the pebbles put under mans heal after the fall of man. The thorns are the stickers and thistles God cursed man with after the fall of man. The good soil represents Jesus. The good soil is the hope for all men. God did not just forsake all humans to curses, but allowed a form of hope. Curses and hope in the world are Gods gifts, but what a man does with his seed remains God inspired or uninspired, depending on how the seed falls. This is when understanding the parables, all of them, helps a persons seed to grow. Jesus states in Mark 4:9 “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” God, as since the beginning of time, has let man follow his own fate. The tools for righteousness and redemption are present, but only for those who have faith. This is where understanding of the parable comes in. Faith comes from digging a little bit deeper into the parables, not just for reading, but for understanding. The sower parable can be connected to todays church and world. The Christian Church teaches acceptance of Jesus Christ as the Savior and Biblical teachings, which represent the seeds. The world is the environment that the seed grows in. God is the omnipresent figure that oversees the seeds, the environment, and the humans struggling with the growth or lack of growth. The Churchs message of the Word of God, or the seeds, can be delivered through witnessing, sermons, charity work, and even by example. Like the seeds in the parable, the evangelists can accidentally drop seeds without realizing what will grow. An example could be a Christian witnessing to the homeless, helping them with a meal. That dropped seed can grow and multiple, or fall away for the birds. The problem with humans planting seeds is the lack of control over the environment that God commands. Sometimes, a seed can be sown in thorns by a Christian. An example would be Jimmy Swaggarts affair. Swaggart, a Baptist, was a great TV evangelist, but when his affair came to light, many Christians lost their faith. Sunday school is another example. Children go and learn about the world of God on Sunday, but are mocked or tempted by the world the next day. The world, which means those who do not believe in Jesus, represents the curses like the bird, stone, and thorns. Like the example of Swaggert above, this act caused the Word of God to be snatched from some individuals hearts. The stone represents an individual interested in the Word of God on the surface, but when the next fad comes along, it is erased from their hearts. Thorns are all the distractions the world throws at an individual, like video games, pornography, alcohol, drugs, and other vices. These vices and distractions help keep an individuals mind from God, thus the Word of God is choked off from an individuals heart. A non-religious interpretation of the parables Biblical concept could be linked to another Biblical phrase “Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). Whatever or wherever a seed is planted directs how the seed grows. If a man plants goodness in good soil, that is what he shall harvest. Likewise, if a man plants corruption, that is what he shall reap. If goodness is planted in a brothel, then the seed might fall on rocks or into the thorns. Bottom line, whatsoever a man plants is what he shall reap. The attitude this wants to induce in humans is the eagerness to be fertile ground for the Word of God. Humans, especially Christians, should thank God for allowing them to understanding the parables. Not every human was destined to understand. Not every human is fertile ground for the Word of God. However, Gods love is available to all humans. One just hast to accept Jesus in their heart. Human existence is a field. This field can be a fertile ground for the Word of God, or can be barren. God uses humans and circumstances to either feed and nurture the Word of God, or have the seed fall aside. Every individual has the opportunity to be fertile ground, but sometimes these individuals do not understand. The pitfall of this interpretation would be that evangelists save people from Damnation. This could not be farther from the truth. Jesus died for the sins of His people. Jesus alone saves Christians from damnation through His blood. Christians should be humble when they spread the Word of God, not prideful. A Christian is only the vessel that witnesses to the lost, not the light itself. Christians should be grateful if the Word of God found fertile ground in their hearts. They have an obligation to share their understanding and knowledge of God, but in no way take credit for something that is Jesus alone. The parable of the sower is a reminder of several things. First, God controls the environment humans live in. Secondly, not every human is fertile ground for the seed of the Word of God. Lastly, evangelists, or sowers, are only the messenger, not the salvation. Jesus used parables to send the message to true believers, not blasphemers. Understanding the parables is one of Gods gifts to the faithful. References Aland, K. (1985). Synopsis of the four Gospels. USA: United Bible Society. Blomberg, C. (1990). Interpreting the parables. USA: Intervarsity Press. Marcus, J. (1986). The mystery of the kingdom of God. USA: Society of Biblical literature. The Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version. Philadelphia: Westminster, 1952. Read More