Thematic Guide to Biblical Literature

The Bible has had a tremendous influence on world history and culture. For centuries it was the central text of Western civilization, but it is now largely unfamiliar to many students. The universal themes present in the Bible appear in numerous literary works ranging from the classic to the contemporary, and these works are both enduring and popular. They are widely read by students and reflect the cultural and historical conditions that gave rise to them. An understanding of the Bible is fundamental to an understanding of these literary works, and an understanding of these literary works gives students greater comprehension of world history and cultures. This book helps students explore the lasting presence of the Bible in literature.

The volume provides chapters on 20 themes central to the Bible, including:

• Creation
• The Earthly Paradise
• Nature
• Animals and Humans
• Temptation and Sin
• Love and Marriage
• Women as Heroes
• Slavery and Freedom
• Death and the Afterlife
• And many more.

Each chapter discusses the biblical significance of the theme, provides scriptural citations and quotations, and relates the theme to frequently read literary works. Chapters suggest resources for further reading, and the volume closes with a selected, general bibliography. With the tremendous growth in courses on the Bible as literature, this book will be a welcome resource for students of literature, history, and religion.