Course Resources:

The Bible As Literature

English Literature 0597

 

 

Here you will find links to valuable resources and tools to enhance your study and appreciation of the Bible as literature. I hope you find the resources beneficial and that you enjoy the course!

 

Email me anytime if you have questions or run into problems:

[email protected]

 

 

The Documentary Hypothesis:

Argument and Rebuttal

 

Who Wrote the Pentateuch?

Religious Tolerance.org’s excellent summary of some of the scholarly reasoning behind the mainstream acceptance of the documentary hypothesis. For those who are uncomfortable with the documentary hypothesis, please see the next link.

 

Answering the Documentary Hypothesis

This website of the Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry  raises the most common objections to the documentary hypothesis.

 

 

 

On-line Bible Study Guides

 

Barron’s Book Notes at Pink Monkey.com

 

BookRags.com

 

 Cliffs Notes

 

An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible

 

Old Testament Life and Literature

 

Spark Notes

 

An Introduction to the Hebrew Bible

 

 

 

On-line Bible Tools:

 

Revised Standard Version online

This website is particularly valuable because it permits refined word searches.

 

RSV and KJV parallel texts online

 

Easton’s Bible Dictionary

Includes proper names and links to various versions.

 

Smith’s Bible Dictionary

Over 4,500 subjects and proper names are defined and analyzed with corresponding Scripture references.

 

Bible Maps

 

Crosswalk.com

The Concordance here is particularly useful—on the first page, in the “Search the Bible” area, enter the word you want to search for, in the section of the Bible you want to search, and choose “Revised Standard Version.”  If, for example, you want to see how many times the word “blood” is used in the Torah (Books of the Law), you will be shown every verse where this word appears.

 

Early Jewish Writings

This website is particularly valuable because it contains scholarly information and critical excerpts for every book of the Hebrew Bible.  It also includes links to important non-biblical works such as the Talmud.

 

Elements of Persuasion in the Bible

 

Figurative Language in the Bible

 

Bible Helps Resources

Includes links to Bible versions, dictionaries, concordances, commentaries, Bible-related resources.

 

The Bible Gateway

“Passage lookup” permits comparisons among the many versions; also includes links to many other resources (see “Study Tools” menu).

 

All-in-One Biblical Resources Search

A British mega-search engine

 

King James Bible with Strong’s Dictionary

A fairly sophisticated Bible Research tool—you can click on any word in the KJV and find both its precise meanings in Hebrew or Greek (for the NT) and the location of all verses where the word appears.  Helpful for close textual analysis.

 

 

 

On-line Glossaries,

Lexicons, & Dictionaries

of Literary Terms, & Other Literary Aids:

If you come upon unfamiliar literary terms, try these sites which are presented in order of significance and preference.

 

Cross Project Resource Discovery

A metasearch engine covering dozens of literary glossaries, lexicons, dictionaries, rhetorics, etc.  Enter your search term in the first box at the top of the page: all sources containing an explanation of the term will be brought up.  Invaluable aid. 

 

A Glossary of Literary Terms & Handbook of Rhetorical Devices

Another favorite search site because of the completeness and precision of the definitions. 

 

Glossary of Poetic Terms

Hyper-linked keywords, good cross references and literary examples. 

 

All American Glossary of Literary Terms

 

Glossary of Literary Terms

Bedford/St.Martin’s Publishing Company’s useful site.

 

Dictionary of Literary Terms

Another good resource. 

 

Writing about Literature

A good resource for those of you planning to write an optional paper.  The site also contains valuable tips on writing essay exams (see menu on the right)

 

 

 

Evaluating On-line sites:

Do feel free to browse the many Bible-related sites on the web. But let the Browser Beware!  It is sometimes difficult to distinguish the worthwhile from the worthless.  The sites below can help in this process.

 

A Student’s Guide to Research with the WWW

 

Evaluating Internet Sites 101

 

Yale Web Style Guide

 

 

 

Tips for Students:

Save money on textbooks. 

·         Order online and order early (at least 3-4 weeks before you need the book).

·         Use the ISBN to be sure you get the right book.

·         DO NOT use titles or authors’ names or you may get the wrong edition).

 

Comparison shop for books at one of the following sites*:

 

AddALL

 

CampusI

 

FetchBook

 

BestBookBuys

 

*In case you were wondering:  No, I don't get paid for posting these sites!

 

 

 

Questions?  Suggestions?
Problems?  Broken Links?
E-Mail Me!

 

 

 

Revised for Fall Term, 2007 (2081)

Copyright, 2002

 

 

Joanne J. Viano

Humanities Division

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg

Greensburg, PA 15601

 

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

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