In biblical literature, the impulse whose primary aim is to directly communicate religious beliefs and ideas about God—distinguished from the historical and literary impulses—is known as the ________ impulse.

### Why this is right The handbook distinguishes a historical impulse, a literary impulse, and a theological impulse. The third term describes writing whose primary aim is to express ideas about God and religion directly. ### The concept These impulses describe emphases in how biblical writers select and present material. Historical writing is rooted in events and times. Literary writing renders human experience through forms such as story or poetry. Theological writing directly communicates religious ideas. A passage may contain all three, although one is often dominant.