圣经研究中变动的体裁观念

Changing Perceptions of Genre in Biblical Studies

体裁分析向来是圣经研究的基础工具。但近年来,质疑文本分类的声音逐渐出现。其主要论据是,文本分类使得我们只能在狭窄的文学范围内进行文本比较。一些质疑声音有夸张的嫌疑,但对体裁的批评是合理的,因为它提醒我们,在大多数情况下体裁是由读者为了自己的目的而构建出来的。即便体裁的构建存在根据或必要性,它也不是理解某一系列文本的唯一方式。不过,体裁仍然可以指导文本解读,因为它能凸显出各类别的特点,也能强调某一类别和相关类别之间的差异。

Genre analysis has long been a basic tool of biblical scholarship.In recent years,however,there has been growing resistance to categorization.The basic argument is that categorization allegedly restricts the range of literature to which a text is compared.Some of this resistance is exaggerated.The critique is valid insofar as it reminds us that in most cases genres are construed by readers for their purposes,and while they may be valid and helpful,they are not necessarily the only way in which a given corpus of texts can be viewed.Nonetheless,genres remain important guides for interpretation,by highlighting not only the typical features of different kinds of texts but also the differences that distinguish them from related genres.