Everyday Biblical Literacy: The Essential Guide to Biblical Allusions in Art, Literature and Life

by J. Stephen Lang

What do we mean when we call a woman a Jezebel? Where did go the extra mile originate? What exactly was a scapegoat? Why was a fast-and-furious driver called Jehu? Where did the phrase hocus pocus come from?In a different age, most people knew the source of these and hundreds of other names, phrases, and images. The Bible was common knowledge, and everyday language was saturated with references to the Bible. Today, some meanings are lost, some impact is diminished by the lack of knowledge people have about the historical aspects of the Bible.

This book is a comprehensive compilation of the most important phrases, people and places mentioned in the Bible. Author J. Stephen Lang has written a book that contains not only concise explanations of important terms, but how that person or thing has been presented culturally–common phrases in art, literature, and song. You'll get a guided tour of biblical history, but also a renewed appreciation for all the cultural significance the Bible has lent to modern society.

Lang explains, "Understanding the Bible can help you appreciate movies, literature, art, and music more. You can understand Christmas (and composer George Frideric Handel) better if you know just what the word Messiah means. You can appreciate a movie like Raiders of the Lost Ark better if you know a little more about the real ark in the Bible.... You can even understand the mindset of Saddam Hussein if you know a little about the ancient Babylonian empire (something Saddam hoped to re-create)."

426 pages, Hardcover

First published February 27, 2007

About the author

J. Stephen Lang is the author of the bestseller The Complete Book of Bible Trivia and sixteen other books, including 1,001 Things You Always Wanted to Know About the Bible and 1,001 Things You Always Wanted to Know About the Holy Spirit.

Reviews

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful for use as a reference tool or simply browsing. Alphabetically organized, entries provide information on people, places and ideas commonly used in every day language that also have a Biblical connection. Entries vary in length, some are a short paragraph while others go on for several pages. Enjoyed the entry for "Jonah and the whale / Such a fish story..." which recounts the tale of James Bartley (In 1891 he spent 15 hours inside a whale and lived to tell the tale). Biblical references are minimal, no bibliographies, very rarely is a source cited. Despite this, Everyday Biblical Literacy is a good resource that will provide some history to frequently used words and phrases.