Literature of the Bible

Cheat Sheet

Big Questions: What is the function of mythology?

How do allegories show us what it means to be human?
How are aspects of the Old Testament still present in our secular world today?

Themes: Good and Evil

Trials and Rewards

Two important terms:

Allegory: a story in which the people, places, and things represent

general concepts or moral qualities, often with a lesson at the end. For
example in “The Tortoise and the Hare” the hare represents laziness
while the tortoise represents hard work and perseverance.

Secular: not specifically related to religion.

Reading Assignments: (Questions will be on separate worksheets.)

# Date Due Titles and Pages

1. ____________ “Creation: Heaven and Earth” (3-5), “Creation: In the Garden” (7-8),
“Forbidden Fruit” (18-19), “The First Murder” (38-39)

2. ____________ “The Great Flood” (57-60), “Babel: The City and the Tower” (68),
“Abraham: A Promise, A Test” (71-76), “Jacob: In Pursuit of
Blessing” (84-89)

3. ____________ “Joseph: Favored and Cast Down” (92-95), “Joseph: His Brother’s
Keeper” (97-106), “Moses: The Calling of a Leader” (109-113),
“Challenging Pharaoh” (116-122)

4. ____________ “In the Wilderness” (128-140), “The Story of Samson” (161-167),

“The Story of Ruth” (172-178), “David: Young Champion of Israel”
(190-194)

5. ____________ “David and Bathsheba” (202-204), “Jonah: A Reluctant Prophet”

(228-231), “Sayings of the Wise” (257-260), “A Time for
Everything” (261)

6. ____________ “The Story of Job” (269-281), “The Fiery Furnace” (318-320),

Belshazzar’s Feast” (322-323), “In a Den of Lions” (325-327)