Podcast Summary: Renewing Your Mind

Episode: "Literary Forms: Is the Bible History or Myth?"

Date: January 1, 2026
Host: Nathan W. Bingham for Ligonier Ministries
Featured Teacher: Dr. R.C. Sproul

Overview

This episode explores the vital distinctions between history and myth within the biblical text, focusing on the importance of accurately identifying literary forms such as personification, historical narrative, poetry, and fable. Dr. R.C. Sproul unpacks controversial passages like Balaam’s donkey and the talking serpent in Genesis, delving into questions of genre and their theological implications. The episode emphasizes the necessity of understanding Scripture’s genres to safeguard core Christian doctrines rooted in real historical events.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Challenge of Identifying Literary Forms ([00:00]–[05:00])

• Dr. Sproul introduces one of the perplexing features of biblical literature: passages where animals appear to speak (e.g., the serpent in Genesis 3, Balaam’s donkey).
• He highlights how these stories provoke questions about whether such accounts are history or myth, personification or fable.
• Quote:

  “Some have jumped on this particular dimension of biblical literature to claim that the very beginning of biblical literature is unhistorical and in fact, legendary or mythological.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [00:00])

2. Defining and Recognizing Personification ([01:52]–[07:30])

• Personification is explained: attributing human qualities to inanimate objects or non-human entities, often in poetry.
• Examples: Psalms describe hills “clapping their hands” or trees “singing."
• Most biblical personifications are obvious, but some cases are difficult to categorize.
• Quote:

  “[Personification] is the use of personal forms of description for impersonal objects, attributing human characteristics to inanimate things... not in the sense of animated cartoons, but in a poetic sense.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [02:12])

3. Balaam’s Donkey: Fable or Historical Narrative? ([07:30]–[15:30])

• The story of Balaam’s donkey (Numbers 22) is dissected:
  • The literary form of the passage resembles historical prose, not poetry or fable.
  • Some suggest the story should be read as a fable—like Aesop's—for its moral lesson.
  • Dr. Sproul cautions against dismissing supernatural elements simply due to philosophical or anti-supernatural bias.
• Quote:

  “The rest of the structure suggests very strongly that the author is actually trying to convey to us that on a day in history, God empowered a beast of burden, a common jackass, to open his mouth and speak.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [13:57])

• Concludes that literary analysis, not presupposition, should lead the interpretation.

4. The Talking Serpent & the Genesis Fall Narrative ([15:30]–[22:00])

• Genesis 3’s talking serpent raises deeper literary and theological issues:
  • Some argue its mythical elements (a serpent speaking) negate the historicity of Adam, Eve, and the Fall.
  • Others—who accept miracles—still question if Genesis 3 intends literal, historical narrative, due to its complex literary blend.
• Dr. Sproul insists on careful, patient literary analysis.
• Quote:

  “It is possible for a person to believe in the absolute infallibility of sacred Scripture and still not be persuaded that that account in Genesis 3 is historical. Because of the literary problems of analysis that are involved there, it’s not as easy to define as many people think.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [19:51])

• Despite ambiguities, Sproul affirms belief in the historical Adam, Eve, serpent, and Fall, citing the narrative’s prose structure and corroboration in other scriptures.

5. Characteristics of Historical Narrative in Scripture ([22:00]–[24:00])

• Dr. Sproul details how to distinguish genuine historical narrative from other forms:
  • Historical Setting: References to real times, places, and people (e.g., Caesar Augustus, Quirinius, the Roman Empire).
  • Prose Style: Narratives are in prose, not poetry.
  • Genealogies: Lists of generations reinforce historicity.
  • Lack of Obvious Moral Point: Unlike parables, history is not presented primarily for a lesson, but as fact.
• Quote:

  “References to real time, to real space, to real personages, to genealogies in prosaic style. Those are the tip offs for historical merit.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [23:57])

6. The Centrality of History to Christian Doctrine ([23:00]–[24:00])

• Sproul warns against detaching faith from history.
• The Bible is not solely spiritual but is anchored in real events with genuine historical consequences (e.g., Exodus, the life and resurrection of Jesus).
• Undermining the Bible’s historical claims threatens the core of Christianity.
• Quote:

  “The historical centrality of redemption is really, dear friends, a non negotiable of Christianity. And if we play around with it, we’re playing around with the very essence of what the Christian faith is all about.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [23:30])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On personification vs. historical narrative:

  “Personification is easily recognized when hills are clapping their hands. It’s more difficult when we see it in the case of Balaam’s ass, in the question of the speaking serpent.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [21:45])

• On redemptive history:

  “Let me remind you that, yes, the Bible is redemptive history… but I also have to remind you that even though it’s redemptive history, it is also redemptive history.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [22:30])

• On the necessity of careful study:

  “We have to be careful to analyze the literature. I personally believe they are historical... But at the same time, I have to be patient and recognize there are literary problems to be wrestled with here in this text.” (Dr. R.C. Sproul, [20:46])

Important Segment Timestamps

• [00:00] — Introduction: The speaking serpent and genre controversy
• [01:52] — Literary forms: Personification and poetry in Scripture
• [07:30] — Balaam’s donkey: History, fable, or myth?
• [15:30] — The talking serpent: Genesis 3 and the complexity of genre
• [22:00] — Distinguishing true historical narrative in the Bible
• [23:30] — The irreplaceable role of history in Christian faith

Conclusion

Dr. R.C. Sproul’s teaching in this episode calls Christians to thoughtful engagement with Scripture, urging discernment in distinguishing between genres and literary forms. He affirms the reality of miracles and the necessity of historical foundations for Christian doctrine, while graciously acknowledging the interpretive challenges within key biblical passages.

For anyone wrestling with questions about history, myth, and genre in the Bible, this episode offers clarity, humility, and conviction rooted in a high view of Scripture’s authority and truth.