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Roger Baker               

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Contents
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Table of Contents
    Preface
    Foreword
    Chapter I: The Bible in Our World: Why We Should Teach It
    The book begins with the foundation of why the Bible should be taught as literature.
    This chapter also serves as an outline for the following chapters.
    Chapter 2: Legal Issues Teaching Bible in the Public School Classroom: Teaching without a Lawsuit.
    Included are highlighted court cases, the Statement of Current Law and guidelines helpful for parents and teachers. This information will provide safe boundaries for teachers, administrators, and parents.
    Chapter 3: What We Should All Know about the Bible: Finding a Common Understanding at the Start.
    While describing the Bible we have today, this chapter sorts out common denominators and provides answers to frequently asked questions on the Bible usage.
    Chapter 4: Introducing the Bible: First Lessons and Resources for the Teacher
    This chapter offers teachers a solid starting point. While recognizing that 'Bible as literature' Lessons must address students of all denominations, this chapter helps teachers find the resources to guide students through their scholarly study of biblical literature.
    Chapter 5: The Creation Narrative: In the Beginning
    Included in this chapter are successful strategies for guiding students through a close reading of the creation narrative. Basic questions from the Great Book series guide the discussions.
    Chapter 6: Cultural Perspectives: Three Ways of Reading about Abraham and Isaac
    This chapter discusses both the Bible and Qur'an version of the Abraham and Isaac story. The discussions are supported by commentary and art that shows how these narratives become part of our cultures.
    Chapter 7: Teaching Literary Symbols: Finding Literary Meaning
    Included are connections between the literary symbols of the Bible and the literary symbols of other literature. This chapter cites allusions from William Wordsworth, Mick Jagger, and Kermit the Frog, while also suggesting resources for educators. Chapter 8: Teaching Biblical Poetry in Both Testaments: Writing Psalms and Proverbs
    While focusing on the parallelism of biblical poetry, the strategies in this chapter focus on helping students develop 'depth perception' when reading poetry. This chapter also points out other poetic forms in the Bible, and describes psalm and poetry writing assignments.
    Chapter 9: Teaching Critical Thinking: It Improves in the Translation
    Provided in this chapter are answers to questions that many educators have regarding the differences between Bible translations. This chapter will also guide teachers to select the translation most appropriate for their classes.
    Chapter 10: Teaching about Bible Sources: Looking for the Author
    The goal of this chapter is to arm teachers with a brief outline of the current scholarly thinking surrounding authorship. Educators can use these concepts to help students learn ways of looking for the author that are transferable to other literary texts.
    Chapter 11: Teaching Parables as Short Stories: Stories That Still Speak
    This chapter reviews the parabolic form, and provides exercises to help students recognize parables within literature. Also included are some Rabbinic parables that allow students the experience of hearing a simple, yet difficult story.
    Chapter 12: Teaching a Grand Theme: The Universal Problem of Suffering
    Chapter twelve provides teachers with the necessary background information, text analysis, and exercises to qualify them to teach the story of Job.
    Chapter 13: Teaching Dual Narratives: Deborah the Judge
    Student response questions are just one of the strategies included in this chapter. Background information on the story of Deborah is included, allowing teachers and students to compare the poetic and narrative versions of this story.
    Chapter 14: Teaching Famous Last Words: Writing Epitaphs
    While focusing on the life of the character David, students will examine the concept of last words and epitaphs. Several writing exercises follow, including an opportunity for students to write an epitaph for other famous historical and modern characters.
    Chapter 15: Recognizing Satire: Is Jonah a Fish Story or What?
    This chapter provides the necessary strategies to help students consider whether this story is a parable or prophecy. A thorough discussion of related satires and historical criticism is also included.
    Chapter 16: Artists Imagine Bible Characters: Joseph as a Developing Character
    With the focus on character development, this chapter provides resources to show students a variety of views on the character Joseph. Also included are ways to encourage students to use historical criticism to discuss literary elements and characters.
    Chapter 17: Teaching the Bible as Myth: Myth Is Why We Believe
    This chapter uses the story of Elijah to illustrate the power of myth. It also points out several biblical creation myths and compares the creation myths of other civilizations and denominations.
    Chapter 18: The Gospel of Mark: Reading a New Genre
    Gospel is a genre unique to the Bible. It is a proclamation of "good news." Included in this chapter are strategies that offer students the opportunity to consider the description of tragedy formulated by Aristotle.
    Appendix A: Finding the Bible in Our World: Borrowing from Bartlett and Others
    Appendix B: Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh: Gifts of Wise Men
    Appendix C: Samson as Archetype
    Appendix D: Samson as Foil
    Appendix E: Literary History of Psalm 23: Comparative Translations and Metaphor
    Works Cited



Teaching the Bible as Literature
Roger Baker

Want to make sure your students fully appreciate the literature they read? A thorough, engaging resource, Roger Baker's Teaching the Bible as Literature explores the text at the root of modern literature. Read along as Baker provides successful teaching strategies to engage your students in an academic reading of the Bible. Learn how to teach the Bible legally, and discover along with your students innovative ways of understanding the literary importance of the Bible!

This informative, fascinating and comprehensive guide addresses literary devices such as theme, poetry, authorship and narrative. All of the strategies are ready to be implemented immediately, and are appropriate for educators with various levels of experience with and knowledge of the Bible. While offering solid and successful legal advice and teaching suggestions, this guide explores the Bible's influence on both literature, and culture.

"I like the supplemental use of art and music - good for teaching the humanities and helping students visualize Bible narratives."
David Freitag, Retired English Teacher, Portland Public Schools

Baker relates Bible narrative to a diverse spectrum of modern literature, quotes, and visual representations, to provide educators and students with a deeper understanding of familiar literature. Each chapter highlights a crucial literary element, story, or issue relevant both in historical and modern cultures.

While providing an outline of current thinking on elements of literature, this text also includes strategies to help guide students to ways of considering topics such as proverbs, parables, epitaphs, and satires objectively. The successful strategies included in Teaching the Bible as Literature will lead your students to a deeper understanding of the most classic source of literature.

Teaching the Bible as Literature is the text you need to bring depth and life to literary discussions. Order your copy today!

Each of the eighteen chapters include:

  • practical strategies; concrete examples;
  • recommended resources.

2002 Paperbound 321pp ISBN 1-929-024-37-1 Order#440 $32.95

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