The Bible as Literature
Essential Question: How does
understanding ancient texts shape the
meaning of other pieces of literature?
Why study the Bible as literature?
• What is literature?
– Portrays the human experience
– Interprets the human experience
– It’s an art form.
• How is the Bible literature?
– Religious text (narratives)
– Historical text
– Collection of songs and poetry
• Why is it still important?
– Cultural Literacy. What is it?
Cain and Abel
• Read the story as a table. You will need a
reader(s)(someone to read the story), a scribe (to
write down the answers), and reporter (to report
the answers). Answer the following questions
using evidence from the text:
• Does the story of Cain and Abel portray human
experience?
• How does the author interpret human experience?
• Does the story have an artistic style?
Reflection
• Read the poem, “On Being Brought from
Africa to America” by Phyllis Wheatley
• How does understanding the story of Cain
influence your reading of the poem? Why
does the speaker reference the story?