The Bible has profoundly influenced literature. It has shaped the views of many famous writers, such as Marlowe, Shakespeare, and T.S. Eliot. It has also shaped the basic presuppositions of Western society, from the divine right of kings to the intrinsic value of every person.
Literature continues to play a significant role in society and education. Literature encourages critical thinking and analysis. Students engage with complex narratives, characters, and themes, which prompts them to interpret, evaluate, and draw conclusions. This analytical skill set is transferable to other academic subjects and real-life situations. It is also highly beneficial for conducting in-depth research on a specific topic, what, for example, professional dissertation writers do to help students with their academic papers.
The literary dimension of the Bible has been underestimated for some time. But focusing on it could prove very useful for theology.
Famous Bible stories and their meaning
Many famous Bible stories, including the Creation, the Garden of Eden, and the Fall of Man, have been depicted in art and literature throughout the centuries. While the Bible is sacred, its literary quality should not be underestimated.
Often, the biblical narratives owe much to pre-existing pagan myths. For example, the biblical account of the Great Flood draws heavily from ancient Babylonian texts, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh.
Treating the Bible as literature makes it possible to explore its multiple meanings. This opens the Bible up to the same kinds of analysis that non-sacred texts receive, overcoming theological objections and allowing us to examine the techniques of writing that make the Bible so compelling. This makes it an ideal text for studying the fundamentals of literary analysis. For this reason, the study of the Bible should be a part of any literature curriculum.
The Bible has inspired many literary works. Some examples include the story of Daniel being thrown into the lions' den and Jonah being swallowed by a whale. Other famous writings inspired by Biblical stories include The Pilgrim's Progress by John Bunyan and The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis.
Adam and Eve
The Bible's story of Adam and Eve is familiar to most of us. It is a powerful story of theodicy that touches upon some of life's most important questions. But it is also a story rich with metaphor and symbolism that can be understood in many ways.
While the biblical account of the Creation of humanity and their fall from grace is very familiar, it is also often debated and argued about. Some Christians, especially those in favor of evolution, say that the story of Adam and Eve is mythological and that there is no historical evidence for their existence.
However, most Christians believe that a historical Adam and Eve are central to many of the truth claims of Christianity. As a result, it is essential to understand the importance of this ancient story and its impact on our literature.
The Profound Impact of the Bible on Literature
The Bible has had a profound impact on literature. It is hard to imagine a work of literature without references to Jesus and the resurrection. Even England's most illiterate 13th-century peasant would know at least some biblical stories.
The influence of the Bible on English men of letters has been immense and lasting. According to Robert Alter, the King James Bible conditioned the ear and pen of English writers by imparting spiritual themes and modulating literary style. It also has ample vocabulary, beautiful quotations, and maxims.
Even today, there is a general responsiveness to the expressive and dignified use of language in the Bible. But these responses must be distinguished from theological objections to certain aspects of biblical literature. The literary dimension of the Bible was highly appreciated until the rise of formalism and rationalism in the late 18th century when it lost its place to other texts.
"East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
Steinbeck's 1952 novel East of Eden is a symbolic re-creation of the biblical story of Cain and Abel woven into the history of California's Salinas Valley. The book was adapted into a 1955 film starring James Dean and Julie Harris.
The father-son relationship of the Trask and Hamilton families mirrors the relationships between Cain and Abel in the Bible. The characters struggle with the question of good and evil. Cyrus chooses evil, while Adam and Cathy choose suitably, but Cathy works with the knowledge that she has inherited a legacy of sin from her mother.
"The Chosen" by Chaim Potok
When people think of the Bible, they often imagine powerful men like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. But the Bible also has stories of strong, brave women who led armies and challenged kings. These women were faithful to God even in the most difficult of situations. They demonstrated compassion, self-sacrifice, and love for others.
Potok, who wrote this 1967 coming-of-age story about a friendship between two Jewish boys in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, was influenced by his Orthodox education, graduating from Yeshiva University and later obtaining rabbinic ordination from JTS. He also modeled his fictional Ladover Hasidic group after the Lubavitch sect of Judaism.
The friendship between the main characters, Reuven and Danny, has elements of loyalty, sacrifice, and shared experiences, which resonate with themes of companionship and brotherhood in the Bible. For instance, the biblical story of David and Jonathan is often seen as an example of a deep and loyal friendship.
"The Sparrow" by Mary Doria Russell
Mary Doria Russell didn't set out to be a science fiction writer. Still, she stumbled into it due to her work in paleoanthropology (the study of fossils left by evolutionary ancestors of humankind). She moved into writing after earning a doctorate in biological and cultural anthropology. Her first novel, "The Sparrow," imagines a Christian mission to a planet that emanates a strange, intoxicating singing. The biblical theme of a battle between good and evil is apparent throughout the story.
The book's success brought widespread critical and commercial attention within SF and beyond. Russell's subsequent novels, Children of God and Doc, also delve into religious faith in a science fiction setting. These works demonstrate SF's potential for compelling discussion of the concerns of religion, politics, and history. They take SF out of its diminishing ghetto, relegitimize it among an established readership and refresh the genre with a sense of adventure, sympathy, and pathos.
In conclusion, the Bible's enduring influence on literature is a testament to its timeless relevance and depth. From its impact on renowned writers like Marlowe, Shakespeare, and T.S. Eliot to its role in shaping fundamental societal beliefs, the Bible's reach extends far beyond religious contexts.
Embracing the Bible as a literary masterpiece allows us to explore its multifaceted meanings and techniques, enriching the study of literature and enhancing critical analysis skills. Through works such as "East of Eden," "The Chosen," and "The Sparrow," the power of biblical themes to resonate in modern storytelling is vividly demonstrated, affirming the Bible's lasting place as a wellspring of inspiration and insight for writers and readers alike.
As literature continues to shape education and culture, the literary dimension of the Bible remains a source of profound exploration and discovery.
