"Novelizing" the bible

[HerrZJA]

I had an idea that’s probably silly.

It’s to help me memorize biblical stories, but also as an exercise for creative writing.

Is there any reason I couldn’t take sections from the bible and put them into an expanded prose format? Obviously, they’d have negligible teaching value. I just tend to remember things better if I write them out, in my own words.

I was thinking of starting with the Passion of the Christ, which form the Sorrowful Mysteries, and then moving on to do other passages. Perhaps through the eyes of an uninvolved spectator.

Is there any reason I shouldn’t do this?

 

[I_Thirst]

I can’t imagine that there would be any problem with it. Since you would doing this just for yourself, I’d guess that it could be viewed as a personal devotion?

Consider the fact that films are made doing exactly what you are talking about: The Ten Commandments, The Greatest Story Ever Told, The Passion of the Christ, etc.

I can’t think of the author I’ve seen who does what you’re talking about as well … not just author, but authors, though I can’t recall if they were Catholic or not.

Also, children’s books do this all the time.

Just don’t go all Dan Brown on us, ok?

 

[The_Scott]

Is there any reason I shouldn’t do this?

I don’t see a problem. Heck, go to a local bookstore to the “Christian Fiction” section, and it’s pretty lengthy. Go forth, HerrZJA.
I Thirst:

I can’t think of the author I’ve seen who does what you’re talking about as well … not just author, but authors, though I can’t recall if they were Catholic or not.

Maybe you’re thinking of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace. It’s difficult to read (since it’s written in 1880, and writing style was very different then), but very worth it. Ben-Hur sees Christ probably three times throughout the entire book, but it’s powerful moments. Also, the novel was the first novel to be blessed by the pope, so it must’ve been good!

 

[I_Thirst]

Maybe you’re thinking of Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace.

Actually, I wasn’t thinking of that – but that’s a good one.

Here’s another really good one, Barabbas by Pär Lagerkvist. The film version with Anthony Quinn is worth watching too.

John Milton’s Paradise Lost is another example. No film version that I’m aware of.

 

[DJ_Pius_X]

I had an idea that’s probably silly.

It’s to help me memorize biblical stories, but also as an exercise for creative writing.

Is there any reason I couldn’t take sections from the bible and put them into an expanded prose format? Obviously, they’d have negligible teaching value. I just tend to remember things better if I write them out, in my own words.

I was thinking of starting with the Passion of the Christ, which form the Sorrowful Mysteries, and then moving on to do other passages. Perhaps through the eyes of an uninvolved spectator.

Is there any reason I shouldn’t do this?

I actually do this! I rewrite the weirder Old Testament stories the same way I would relate a night out to my friends. People say they’re pretty funny.

It would be cool to try to write them as serious prose.

 

[I_Thirst]

I actually do this! I rewrite the weirder Old Testament stories the same way I would relate a night out to my friends. People say they’re pretty funny.

It would be cool to try to write them as serious prose.

I’d actually prefer your first idea.

 

[Prod_Daughter]

I never would have thought of that!!! That is so creative and awesome!!! Ypu should PM me sometime cause I’d love to read!!!

 

[Faithdancer]

I’m doing something similar, but in the medium of dance, choreographing dance works that are based in Holy Scripture- Song of Songs, Adam and Eve, Mary Magdalene, etc. Dance is more like poetry than a novel though, unless one makes a full evening length dance like the Nutcracker or Swan Lake.

I don’t see anything wrong with your plan either, so long as you’re true to Scripture. Good luck!

 

[Jubilant]

Surprisingly novelizing a part of the bible you wanted to understand better was a task I was given in high school for a final project in one of my religion classes. It was a wonderful experience, and I still have the project at home and read it on occasion. While I absolutely love the verse of the Bible, it helps to hear it and read it in your own voice. It’s an excellent idea!