Customer Reviews

And God Said What?: An Introduction to Biblical Literary Forms for Bible Lovers

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I have heard several people say that they felt great conflict in their religious lives and that learning about the bible from Dr. Ralph turned them around. Dr. Ralph helped them come to terms with the misinformation or mis-interpretation they've been suffering from. Dr. Ralph's views are not her own. This approach to scripture is not something new. In fact, it is the contextualist approach to scripture that the Catholic Church teaches and has been teaching for years.

I have been a discussion leader in Lay Bible Study and discussion groups for 5 years. This book is one of the best I have ever read on helping people come to an understanding of the intent of the author's of Biblical writings. The Author Dr Ralph, has a gift for putting her thoughts down in clear and concice manner. I have recommended it to each member of my classes this spring. I think it is a must have and study for anyone studying the Bible.

I first saw Margaret Nutting Ralph's AND GOD SAID WHAT? when I was teaching at a Catholic school in the early 1990's. The catchy title caught my attention, which happens all the time, perhaps too often when I look at all the books I own but will probably never read.. I figured it would be an easy to use reference tool when students asked me questions about the Bible, most of which I was unable to answer, but often asked myself. What I found was something was more than a reference tool. I found a book that explained in easy terms the different types of literature found in the Bible. Ralph discusses many of the literary forms that are part of sacred scripture such as myth, legend, allegory, gospel, letters, parables, and explains them in a way that enhances the understanding of scripture. She is an educator by profession, and her teaching abilities come across in her writing, which is factual but written in an inviting manner. It can easily be used by someone who has little or know knowledge of scripture and wants to come to a better understanding or the more experienced reader who needs something top enliven scripture study.

This book is perfect for a person preparing scripture lessons. Ralph's explanations of the literary forms used in scripture makes it a handy resource. It would also be a good text book for people whoa re studying scripture and would be enjoyable for any Bible Study group or reading group. I know I have used it with Bible study groups and many adult education classes have used the book successfully as a text.

Since the original version has been revised, it shows that I'm not the only one who enjoyed this book and found it useful and it will probably be available of many years to come, introducing people to the wide variety of literature in the Bible and making it a little less confusing and overwhelming.

Ms. Ralph gives an excellent exposition of the genres in the Bible. Her discussions lead to a deeper understanding about what the Bible is trying to teach about the relationship between God and Man. It is a text type book so that it is at times a hard read. It is not for casual reading, you'll fall asleep while reading it if you are looking for a light read. However, if you are after the knowledge, it is a very worthwhile effort.

An excellent read for recovering ex-athiests like myself. If your an athiest or agnostic who is considering Christanity, I highly recommend it and Rescuing the Bible from Fundamentalism by John Shelby Spong. Addresses all the important questions about the Bible in a calm, rational, erudite, and non-condescending manner. A must read for Christian apologists as well.

Margaret Nutting Ralph is a teacher and gifted wordsmith. She expresses herself so well and it's no surprise that she understands how others use words. I have been studying and teaching religious education for the last seven years. I found this book gave me great insight into the Bible and explained some of those little mysteries I never understood. When the loving God you believe in says some of the frightening things in the Bible, Dr. Ralph explains why it comes out that way and what it really means. I would recommend this book to everyone interested in the Bible. If you get a chance to hear her speak she is a dynamic speaker, too.

Good book to understand the Bible for what it really is and what its not. Puts forth the importance of prayer accompanied by study.

I've been teaching college-level adult bible study for 15+ years, and this book has put my own study and my approach to teaching in a new, and I feel certain, a more enlightened perspective. Reading the familiar stories, books and letters in the context of their varied literary forms brings excitement and understanding, insights and blessings that have been diminishing with repetition. "And God Said What?" is learned, yet highly readable, addressed to those seekers and teachers who wish to sit beside the original hearers and readers of the bible and understand as they did.

The universally accepted literary genres are explained in a fairly simple matter.
The intention of the book is not to debate what the Bible says but to understand the context in witch it is written.
Like the difference between reading the editorials and the comic strip. They are both someones opinion or interpretation but it would be useful to recognize the distinction of the different genre.Excellent read and reference book.

The book is well done. When trying to understand especially the Hebrew Testament it is necessary to know the the literary forms in which the books are written. Next it is necessary to know the understanding of God that the writer had at the time in which the book was written, the customs of the people at the time, and symbolisms that they used in the books. With out this back ground knowlege it is almost impossible to gleen from the writings the knowlege of God which the writer intended. "And God Said What" does a good job providing this back ground information.