2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
2.1 Novel
A novel is a long narrative, normally in prose, which describes fictional
characters and events, usually in the form of a sequential story.
WhileThe Rise of the Novel (1957) suggests that the novel came
into being in the early 18th century, the
continuous and comprehensive history of about two thousand years", with historical
roots in
of the
present generic English term in the 18th century.
Don Quixote was published in 1605.
While a more precise definition of the genre is difficult, the main elements
that critics discuss are: how the narrative, and especially the plot, is constructed; the
themes, settings, and
character, and setting relate to
Popular fiction has dealt with almost any topic the modern public sphere has
provided. Class and gender divisions are omnipresent in love stories: the majority of
them harp on tragic confrontations that arise wherever a heroine of lower social status
falls in love with a doctor, the wealthy heir of an estate or company, or just the Alpine
happy endings. They can be read as escapist dreams of how to change social status by
marriage; they are at the same time constant indicators of existing or imaginary social
barriers. All major political confrontations of the past one hundred years have become
the scenery of popular exploits, whether they focused on soldiers, spies, or on
civilians fighting between the lines.
The authors of popular fiction–and that is the essential difference between
them and their counterparts in the sphere of so-called elitist literature–tend to
proclaim that they have simply exploited the controversial topics. Dan Brown does
this on his website answering the question whether his Da Vinci Code could be called
an "anti-Christian" novel:
“No. This book is not anti-anything. It's a novel. I wrote this story in an effort to explore certain aspects of Christian history that interest me. The vast of majority devout Christians understand this fact and consider The Da Vinci Code an entertaining story that promotes spiritual discussion and debate. Even so, a small but vocal group of individuals has proclaimed the story dangerous, heretical, and anti-Christian. While I regret having offended those individuals, I should mention that priests, nuns, and clergy contact me all the time to thank me for writing the novel. Many church officials are celebrating The Da Vinci Code because it has sparked renewed interest in important topics of faith and Christian history. It is important to remember that a reader does not have to agree with every word in the novel to use the book as a positive catalyst for introspection and exploration of our faith.”
The author of popular fiction has a fan community to serve and satisfy. He or
she can risk rebuffing both the critical public and its literary experts in their search for
interesting readings (as Dan Brown effectively does with his statement on possible
readings of his novel). The popular author's position towards his text is generally
to be compelled to write. They follow (says the popular mythology) their inner
voices, a feeling for injustice, an urge to face a personal trauma, an artistic vision.
The authors of popular fiction have their own calling: they must not fail the
expectations of their audiences. A covenant of loyalty and mutual respect is the basis
on which the author of popular fiction continues his or her work. The typical branches
of the production have no contact to mythologies of authorship.
2.2 Jesus in the Bible as Literature
Jesus, the proper, as Christ is the official, name of our Lord. To distinguish
him from others so called, he is spoken of as "Jesus of Nazareth" (
"Jesus the son of Joseph"
This is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Joshua, which was originally
Hoshe
Jeshua, whence the Greek form Jesus. It was given to our Lord to denote the object of
his mission, to save (Matthew 1:21).
The life of Jesus on earth may be divided into two great periods, that of his
private life, till he was about thirty years of age, that of his public life, which lasted
about three years.
In the "fullness of time" he was born at Bethlehem, in the reign of the emperor
Augustus, of Mary, who was betrothed to Joseph, a carpenter
Wise men from the east came to Bethlehem to see him who was born "King of the
Jews," bringing gifts with them
Joseph's flight into Egypt with Mary and the infant Jesus, where they tarried till the
death of this ki
Lower Galil
years he went up to Jerusalem to the Passover with his parents. There, in the temple,
"in the midst of the doctors," all that heard him were "astonished at his understanding
and answers" (
Eighteen years pass, of which we have no record beyond this, that he returned
to Nazareth and "increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man"
(
He entered on his public ministry when he was about thirty years of age. It is
generally reckoned to have extended to about three years. “Each of these years had
peculiar features of its own.
1) The first year may be called the year of obscurity, both because the records of it
which we possess are very scanty, and because he seems during it to have been
only slowly emerging into public notice. It was spent for the most part in Judea.
2) The second year was the year of public favor, during which the country had
become thoroughly aware of him; his activity was incessant, and his frame rang
through the length and breadth of the land. It was almost wholly passed in Galilee.
felt a victim to their hatred. The first six months of this final year were passed in
Galilee, and the last six in other parts of the land." (Stalker's Life of Jesus Christ,
p. 45.).
2.3 Marriage in the Bible as Literature
Marriage is an intimate and complementing union between a man and a
woman in which the two become one physically, in the whole of life. The purpose of
marriage is to reflect the relationship of the Godhead and to serve him. Although the
fall has marred the divine purpose and function of marriage, this definition reflects
the God-ordained ideal for marriage from the beginning.
Genesis 1:26-27 declares that mankind was created in God's image with a
plural composition of male and female, each separately in God's image (cf.
defined in Scripture, contexts in which God's image are discussed must define the
concept (cf.
creativity (procreation), reasoning power, decision-making, and relationship.
The relational aspect of God's image is reflected in the bringing together of
male and female in "one fl
differences portrays various aspects of God's image: same nature and essence, equal
members, intimate relationship, common purpose, and distinct personalities with
different roles, including authority and submission. In the Trinity the Father leads, the
However, all three are fully and equally deity. Likewise, male and female in the
marriage relationship are of the same nature and essence, equal as persons (cf.
different roles: the husband leads and the wife submits to his leadership (cf.
the Godhead. Marriage, the most intimate human relationship, was appropriately
chosen to reflect this relational aspect of the divine image. Each sex alone
incompletely exhibits this part of the divine image. This open intimate relational
aspect of God's image, reflected in marriage, was marred by the fall (cf.
from God.
Marriage is the most basic and significant social relationship to humankind.
This relationship must be nurtured and maintained for the welfare of all. Without
marriage, society will fail.
God's design for marital relationship is heterosexual, not homosexual, and
monogamous, not polygamous. This relational aspect of God's image in marriage has
analogues portrayed in Yahweh's relation with Israel
which she was punished by captivity. Yahweh "divorced" his "unfaithful wife"
restore her to faithfulness and holine
New Testament marriage imagery describes the relationship between Christ
and his church (cf.
is sacrificially loved by Christ, just as a husband should love his wife
even as Christ is the head of the church, his b
submissively to her husband's sacrificial love like the church submits to Christ's
becoming holy and blameless before God, even as Christ presents the church without
blemish to the Fathe
the functional model for a marriage relationship.
God commanded the male and female to perform two specific functions:
procreation ("fruitful and multiply") and ruling over the earth ("subdue" and "rule")
female) receive God-ordained authority to rule over the rest of creation, but not over
each other.
Human reproduction comes through intimate sexual union designed only for
the marriage relationship. Cohabitation abuses the procreative nature of the marriage
unable to have children for various physical reasons. This does not make their
marriage second-rate or inferior. However, a married couple should desire to obey the
divine injunction of procreation if possible. Children are one manifestation of the
"one flesh" of marriage.
2.4 Christian in the Bible as Literature
A dictionary definition of a Christian would be something similar to “a person
professing belief in Jesus as the Christ or in the religion based on the teachings of
Jesus.” While this is a good starting point, like many dictionary definitions, it falls
somewhat short of really communicating the biblical truth of what it means to be a
Christian. The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testam
Antioc
The word “Christian” literally means, “Belonging to the party of Christ” or a
“follower of Christ.”
The Bible teaches that the good works we do cannot make us acceptable to
God. Titus says, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but
because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the
Holy Spirit.” So, a Christian is someone who has been born again by G
us that it is “…by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from
A true Christian is a person who has put faith and trust in the person and work
of Jesus Christ, including His death on the cross as payment for sins and His
resurrection on the third day. John tells us, “Yet to all who received him, to those
who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” The mark of
a true Christian is love for others and obedience to God’s Wor
true Christian is indeed a child of God, a part of God’s true family, and one who has
