Literary genre is a category of written works. Recognizing the type of writing prepares one for how to read and observe the text. For example, logic literature is typically (but not always) an expository letter written to either a friend or church in response to an issue brought up by the reader. The letter provides a logical presentation of the truth or doctrine to persuade the church to a particular action to a problem.

The church problems are usually difficult issues and the logical presentation validates the church's firm response and precedence of action. The epistles of Paul largely make up this category of literature and demonstrate consistent systematic and reasoned arguments.

There are lots of examples of this genre: Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1, 2, & 3 John, and Jude.

Much of the Bible's logic literature is in the form of syllogism which is a type of reasoning that allows the reader to deduce the conclusion. A common syllogism is a three-part argument.

In this example, Jesus speaks to the Sadducees who say there is no resurrection (Matt 22:23):

In this example, Paul is appealing the nation of Israel to be saved – their understanding of God's righteousness is not grounded on the knowledge of God's word (Rom 10:1-4).

Another form of syllogism is enthymemes in which the conclusion is stated while one premise is not.

In this example, Paul is writing to Timothy to encourage him in his pastoral duties, because the times are perilous: "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! (2 Tim 3:2-5, NKJV)

How should you read logic literature?

• Read the whole letter in one sitting to observe the presentation of logic.
  
  
• Consider breaking up the passage by its syntax to see the logical arguments and their sequence of reason.
  
  
• Understand the issue / problem at hand by looking for the reason for the letter and the recipients of the epistle.
  
  
• Examine what the author is exhorting and understand the concern of the writer: what is the mood of the letter?

Try this example as a class exercise. What are the statements and what conclusion do you deduce?

These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men. (Acts 17:11-12, NKJV)