Liberty of Conscience
Southwestern Journal of Theology
Volume 67, No. 1 - Fall 2024
Editor: Malcolm B. Yarnell III
By Jeannine Brown. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2024, 145 pp., $24.99.
Jeannine Brown in her work, Embedded Genres in the New Testament, analyzes genres within their literary framework yielding relevant, interpretive insights. Jeannine Brown serves as the David Price Professor of Biblical and Theological Foundations at Bethel Seminary. She is the author of Scripture and Communication, The Gospel as Stories, as well as commentaries on Matthew and Philippians. Her work in hermeneutics and genre provides the impetus for this monograph—her purpose: to engender sensitivity to embedded genres by investigating three test cases in the New Testament.
In Chapter 2 (7-48), Brown examines a potential embedded genre of poetry within Philippians. The nature of poetry in the first century is discussed first, followed by an investigation into the macrolevel and microlevel structures of the passage, 2:6-11. In a detailed comparison of poetic lines, the author teases out poetic envelops, patterns, and repetitions. The micro-level conventions identified—parataxis, alternating conjunctions, and parallelism—help in determining four sets of parallel lines. Brown then points out the biblical author’s concise, particular language choices. All of this to show that the embedded poetic genre is transformed by the letter genre according to contextual emphases. In other words, Paul’s placement of the poem underscores his paraenetic, persuasive aim, and by moving to poetry, Paul invites a whole-person response (46).
In Chapter 3 (49-82), the author examines a riddle embedded within Matthew’s Gospel narrative. An overview is given concerning the use of riddles in ancient times pointing out the requirements of (1) ambiguity and (2) interrogative sense. Matthew signals the presence of riddles through the speakers and audience within the narrative. Brown singles out a “riddle session” when Jesus is questioned (21:23-22:46), a passage comprised of initial dueling questions, two son parables, and three trick questions in rapid succession. In the final riddle, Jesus provides a cryptic answer to the question that began the initial riddle. The interrogative significance of identifying this “riddle” genre embedded in a narrative is that the narrative story line potentially makes the riddle “less riddle-like” (78). Jesus is an expert riddler, and Matthew demonstrates the Christological truth of Jesus as sage and embodiment of divine wisdom.
In Chapter 4 (83-120), a description of the prominence and purpose of the household code in 1 Peter is discussed in light of Greco-Roman domestic codes. Brown draws out the “marked” features—those elements that defy the normal parameters expected in household codes—and “unmarked” features—those elements that align with typical household codes. The embedded genre and framework send a clear message that any offensive behavior should only arise from their complete allegiance to Christ (115). Hermeneutically, the impact of the household code on the letter is analyzed as well as the impact of the letter on the household code—a bidirectional observation.
In the final pages (124-26), the author encourages exploration: to be sensitive to subtle movements between the micro and macro genres, which can bring forth interpretive insights. The author accomplishes her goal by sifting out possible semantic valences of an embedded genre within a larger whole to determine meaning. The book is not exhaustive; rather, it is didactic, comparable to three extended lectures that engage the reader and offer the interpreter relevant vocabulary and considerations to aid in interpretation. In essence, Brown’s book adds precision to one or more of the traditional exegetical steps in the hermeneutical process.
