English 245 (The Bible as Literature) Audio Lectures

English 245 (The Bible as Literature) was a course that I taught for many years at a local community college. Many people have a theological approach to the Bible, focusing on its discussion of God, Jesus, sin, salvation, grace, the afterlife, . . . But few have considered the Bible as a literary work. For sincere believers, understanding the Bible as literature will enrich their spiritual journey. For nonbelievers, an appreciation for the Bible’s literary qualities may encourage them to read this book, which they might have been hesitant to approach. All of us need to be familiar with the Bible since it is the most influential book in the Western world.

Lecture 21: Stories in Literature–Plot

Plot is so important to a story. Let's look at the types of conflict we find in Biblical plots, the use of suspense, poetic justice, and transformations of fortune and character.


Lecture 22: Stories in Literature–Irony

Irony is found so often in the Bible. Why? What stories depend on it?


Lecture 23: Stories in Literature–Theme and Story Types

What do we we mean by "theme" in a story and how do we find the theme in Biblical stories? What types of stories do we encounter in the Bible?


Lecture 24: Literature–Introduction to Poetry

Why does poetry have such a bad name today? What are characteristics of good poetry as seen in the Bible? What can poetry do for us?


Lecture 25: Poetry–Similes, Metaphors, and Symbols

The Bible uses bold, imaginative ways to get across meaning. We examine three of these poetic methods in this lecture.


Lecture 26: Allusions in Literature

Allusions are used a great deal today, and they play a prominent role in Biblical literature. The ability to recognize and understand them is vital to good reading skills.


Lecture 27: Poetry–Apostrophe, Personification, Hyperbole, and Parallelism

Here are key methods that poets in the Bible use to get their point across.


Lecture 28: Proverbs As Literature

Proverbs, little nuggets of wisdom, are found throughout the Bible. We look at the characteristics of them and explore their apparent contradictions.


Lecture 29: The Four Gospels

Can we trust the information about Jesus in these gospels? What differences do they have? What literature types are found in them? How should we read the gospels?


Lecture 30: Parables

Jesus used parables effectively. Why are they so popular and how can we approach their meanings?