I suspect that the Bible, like nonreligious literature, was written to have literary merit according to the tastes of its original audience(s),...
The more accurate way to describe the New Testament is not to say that “it was written”, but that “it was compiled as a selection from multiple works on a similar topic, for a religious purpose”. If anything “was meant” by that selection process, I’d consider literary merit far below religious and political purpose.
Whatever process you use to make your decisions is what determines your effectiveness.
The more accurate way to describe the New Testament is not to say that “it was written”, but that “it was compiled as a selection from multiple works on a similar topic, for a religious purpose”. If anything “was meant” by that selection process, I’d consider literary merit far below religious and political purpose.
And your purpose.