God and Man Are the Most Important Aspects of the Bible

Old Testament:
Story of CreationBiblical AllusionGenesis 1

·  God created the world in 7 days

·  God and man are the most important aspects of the Bible

·  He was happy with his creation, called it good

·  Rested on the 7thday

Commentary:An example of literature that used this story as an allusion isThe Chronicles of Narnia.In the sixth book, the story ofThe Magician’s Nephewtakes place long before the first book. It describes the creation of the land of Narnia, and how humans came to be associated with this other world. The narrative is very similar to the creation story in Genesis, but Lewis' account is clearly changed to appeal to a younger audience.
The FallBiblical AllusionGenesis 3

·  Serpent came to Eve, tempted her to eat forbidden fruit

·  She eats it, and then brings it to Adam for him to eat

·  They hide from God knowing that they’ve sinned

·  They blame each other and the serpent

·  God curses the serpent and crushes it’s head

·  Now all humans will be mortal

·  God clothed them because they were impure and forced them out of the garden

Commentary:This biblical story can also be found inThe Chronicles of Narnia.There is a tree of knowledge, where Digary (Adam) finds a silver apple. The witch (serpent) tempts Digary to eat it instead of bringing it back for Aslan (God). Digary doesn’t eat the apple, he brings it to Aslan and the Witch ends up eating it. Lewis makes this change to simplify good and evil for younger readers. Throughout the series Aslan often refers to Digary as “Son of Adam”, which makes this even more easily alluded to the bible.
The FloodBiblical AllusionGenesis 6

·  God was frustrated with man, so he decided to wipe everything off the Earth (except for Noah) and start over

·  He tells Noah to build an ark because of the flood that was coming

·  He instructs him to bring his wife, sons and their wives, and 2 of every kind of animal

·  Noah obeys

Commentary:It is important to note here that God did not want to destroy humanity, he wanted to destroy the sins of the world. This can be compared toThe Adventures of Huckleberry Finnby Tom Sawyer. The raft that Huck builds is very similar to the ark in the sense that he builds it in order to stay loyal to his friend Jim.
Cain and AbelBiblical AllusionGenesis 4-6

·  Cain was the first born, Abel was the second

·  Cain is a farmer like his father, Abel is a sheep herdsman

·  Both offer their harvest to the Lord, but the Lord picks Abel’s offering

·  Cain is very jealous, so he kills Abel

·  He then lies to God about his brothers whereabouts

·  As punishment, his soil will no longer produce harvest, and he will wander restlessly for the rest of his days

Commentary:This story is very well known and mainly focuses on the theme of jealousy and being satisfied with what you have. This story is used in Shakespeare’sHamletwhen Claudius murders his brother. “O my offence is rank; it smells to heaven; It hath the primal eldest curse upon't – a brother's murder!”
Abraham and IsaacBiblical AllusionGenesis 22

·  Abraham is ordered to sacrifice his only son, Isaac, for the Lord

·  He prepares to do so, and builds an alter for the sacrifice

·  Right then, a messenger tells him that he doesn’t have to go through with it

Commentary:The message here is that you must trust in the Lord with everything. Here, Abraham showed complete trust in God. He knew that there must be a valid reason for God’s request, and he believed in God’s judgments. A modern day example of an allusion to this story can be found inFamily Guy.In one episode, Peter realizes how mean he has been to his daughter, Meg, and is quoted saying “I’ve been a worse father than Abraham.” This is a funny example from this story, but viewers must have knowledge of Abraham and Isaac to understand the humor.
Moses, The Plagues, The 10 CommandmentsBiblical AllusionExodus 1-4; 20

·  A new king demands all baby boys to be killed

·  Pharaoh’s daughter finds a baby in the river and names him Moses

·  Moses sees a burning bush

·  God tells him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt

·  The Lord helps Moses who is afraid, and sends his brother, Aaron to speak for Moses

·  God created the 10 Commandments:

o  I am the Lord, your God. You shall not have any strange gods before me.

o  You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.

o  Remember to keep holy the Sabbath.

o  Honor your father and mother.

o  You shall not kill.

o  You shall not commit adultery.

o  You shall not steal.

o  You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

o  You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife.

o  You shall not covet your neighbor’s goods.

Commentary:The Ten Commandments are often found in literature, because they set basic rules of living. An example of this can also be found in an episode ofFamily Guywhen Peter plays Jesus and makes his own 10 commandments and leads a group of people.
The Book of JobBiblical Allusion

·  God decides to test Job’s loyalty

·  He destroys all of Job’s possessions and kills his 10 children

·  Job does not curse God, instead he takes off his clothes and offers them to God

·  God finally rewards him for this with new possessions, property, new children, and a long life

Commentary:The Book of Job is used as an allusion inFahrenheit 451.In this novel by Ray Bradbury, the two main characters, have a bible that they must hide from the police. Faber reads him the Book of Job, which is important because it describes Montag’s situation. He has becomes much like Job, the prototype of human suffering, who still remains God’s humble servant.
The Book of RuthBiblical Allusion

·  Ruth is a widow who leaves her hometown to follow her mother to Bethlehem

·  She is very brave, independent, devoted, and caring

·  Remarries a man named Boaz and conceives a child named Obed

Commentary:Similar ideas from Ruth can be found inPride and Prejudiceby Jane Austin. More than anything, Jane wants her daughter to marry a man who can give her a happy, secure life. This follows very closely to the beliefs of Boaz.
David and GoliathBiblical AllusionI Samuel 17

·  Goliath was a 9 foot Philistine giant who fought in the war against Israel (army of God)

·  David, the youngest son of Jesse, is a brave, fearless Israelite

·  With the power of God vested within him, David was able to defeat Goliath using only a slingshot and a rock to the head.

Commentary:In the bookThe Kite Runner,the character, Sohrab (David), uses his own slingshot to defeat Assef (Goliath), in order to save Amir (Israel). This is only part of the story; the important message is that with strength from God, one can succeed at anything.
New Testament:
The NativityBiblical AllusionMatthew 1, Luke 2

·  Mary, a virgin, was told to marry Joseph

·  An angel appeared to her and told her that she would conceive a son by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was to be named Jesus.

·  Joseph distrusted this, so God sent an angel to him in a dream

·  They were forced to travel to Bethlehem, Joseph’s hometown, to fulfill a census

·  Mary gave birth to Jesus in a crude stable, because they couldn’t find anywhere else to go

·  An angel appeared to shepherds, who then traveled to the stable to see Jesus

·  3 wise men saw a star and followed it to the stable because they knew it signified the birth of the king of the Jews. They brought Jesus gifts.

Commentary:The Nativity is used in an episode ofFamily Guy.Peter tells his family the story of Jesus’ birth.
LazarusBiblical AllusionJohn 11:1-12:11

·  Lazarus was a friend of Jesus who became ill

·  When Jesus arrived in Bethany, Lazarus had already died and been buried in a tomb

·  Jesus went to the tomb and asked for the stone to be removed.

·  Lazarus emerged from the tomb

Commentary:This story was important because it was the beginning of Jesus’ miracles and it caused many people to have faith in Jesus and believe in God.
The Last SupperBiblical AllusionMark 14; John 13

·  On the first day of the Passover, Jesus sent 2 of his disciples to prepare a meal

·  That night (night before his crucifixion), Jesus dined with his 12 apostles

·  He told them that one of them would soon betray him

·  He broke the bread and blessed the wine, gave it to his disciples, and told them that it was his body and blood (communion).

Commentary:An allusion to this story can be found inThe Awakeningby Kate Chopin when Edna has her dinner party. The dinner did not end well, and it is obviously foreshadowing negativity. Foster discusses the importance of “communion” inHow To Read Literature Like a Professor.
Judas and the BetrayalBiblical AllusionMatthew 25, 26

·  The chief priests go to Judas and pay him 30 pieces of silver to betray Jesus

·  After the supper, they go to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray. Jesus is angered when he comes and finds Peter, James, and John sleeping.

·  Judas comes and kisses Jesus. This signals the chief priests that it is time to arrest Jesus.

·  On the morning of Jesus’ crucifixion, Judas is unable to forgive himself, so he hangs himself

Commentary:Judas can easily be compared to Edmund inThe Chronicles of Narnia.He is tempted by the evil Witch to eat Turkish delights. He betrays Aslan (Jesus) and his siblings (disciples) by eating them and by going with the witch to her castle. He is forgiven by Aslan, and Aslan even offers up his own life to save Edmund’s. This is symbolic of Christ dying for our sins, just as Aslan dies for Edmund’s sins.
The DenialBiblical AllusionMathew 26

·  In the courtyard, Peter denies knowing Jesus 3 times

·  After the third time, the cock crows.

·  Peter quickly realizes that this is what Jesus had predicted at the supper

Commentary:An allusion of the rooster’s crow can be found inHamlet,which is linked to the play’s theme of betrayal. Claudius could be compared to Peter.
The CrucifixionBiblical AllusionMatthew 27

·  In the morning, Jesus is handed over to the governor, Pilate

·  Jesus is mocked, beaten, and spit on

·  The soldiers weave a crown of thorns to mock him

·  They make Simon of Cyrene to help Jesus carry the cross to Golgotha (Place of the Skull)

·  Jesus is crucified between two other prisoners, who also mock him

·  At noon, darkness comes over the land for 3 hours, and then Jesus dies

·  That night, Jesus is taken down and his body is laid in a tomb

·  The tomb was heavily guarded and sealed

Commentary:The crucifixion can also be found inThe Chronicles of Narniawhen Aslan is executed. The sisters and many others follow the lion to his death, just as Jesus was. Aslan is mocked ridiculed, spit on, and shaved of his fur.
The ResurrectionBiblical AllusionLuke 24; John 20-21

·  On the third day (a Sunday), several woman went at dawn to anoint the body of Jesus

·  A violent earthquake shook, and an angel from heaven rolled back the stone

·  The angel announces that Jesus has risen

·  Jesus appeared to the women and his disciples numerous times

Commentary:The Resurrection is also used inThe Chronicles of Narnia.The morning after Aslan’s execution, the children return to the stone and find him alive again, more beautiful than before.

From http://clareweible.weebly.com/biblical-allusions.html