Reading Notes: Bible Women, Part B
Similar to the readings for Part A, I chose three of my favorite stories from this section to illuminate for potential storytelling!
Bathsheba
Here, we find the tale of a typically positively-viewed king committing serious treachery. In his desire for Bathsheba, he sends her husband off to be killed after sleeping with his wife. I think there could be several interesting manipulations of this story. First, Bathsheba could have spoken immediately with her husband, Uriah, about what had happened. The sharing of this information would change the entire story. If not, another twist could be Uriah surviving the battle and coming back home, only to discover that his wife was pregnant from another man. This would extend the original story, bringing into play any variety of possible endings!
Mary and Elizabeth
I am currently taking another class that discusses the character of Jesus in various world religions. A recent topic has revolved around opinions of the virgin birth of Jesus. Though I don't think I could write about this, I could only imagine the type of narrative that could be created that involves Mary having Joseph's child! This would both complicate this brief story of Mary and Elizabeth and also the biblical narrative. The storyline would also gain a humorous effect if neither Mary nor Elizabeth received explanations from angels, but simply had their children! Elizabeth would question it because of her old age, and Mary would question it because she had not been with a man. This would bring great confusion, but also a lot of humor.
Martha and Mary
Finally, I enjoyed the story of Mary and Martha. I found it interesting that the bulk of this story involved telling the narrative of Lazarus, which I suppose occurs because of the brevity with which Martha and Mary are initially discussed. Many people take away the lesson from this story that Mary is commended for resting with Jesus, or for spending time with Jesus. Martha, on the other hand, is lightly reprimanded for her devotion and worry to other activities. The story would show an entirely different lesson if, instead, Jesus reprimanded Mary for laziness and praised Martha for her hard work! This utilizes a simple character switch, but completely changes the meaning of this passage.
Bibliography:
Bathsheba in the King James Version: link
Mary and Elizabeth in the King James Version: link
Martha and Mary in the King James Version: link
Image Information: Mary and Martha spending time with Jesus.
Link: Wikimedia
Bathsheba
Here, we find the tale of a typically positively-viewed king committing serious treachery. In his desire for Bathsheba, he sends her husband off to be killed after sleeping with his wife. I think there could be several interesting manipulations of this story. First, Bathsheba could have spoken immediately with her husband, Uriah, about what had happened. The sharing of this information would change the entire story. If not, another twist could be Uriah surviving the battle and coming back home, only to discover that his wife was pregnant from another man. This would extend the original story, bringing into play any variety of possible endings!
Mary and Elizabeth
I am currently taking another class that discusses the character of Jesus in various world religions. A recent topic has revolved around opinions of the virgin birth of Jesus. Though I don't think I could write about this, I could only imagine the type of narrative that could be created that involves Mary having Joseph's child! This would both complicate this brief story of Mary and Elizabeth and also the biblical narrative. The storyline would also gain a humorous effect if neither Mary nor Elizabeth received explanations from angels, but simply had their children! Elizabeth would question it because of her old age, and Mary would question it because she had not been with a man. This would bring great confusion, but also a lot of humor.
Martha and Mary
Finally, I enjoyed the story of Mary and Martha. I found it interesting that the bulk of this story involved telling the narrative of Lazarus, which I suppose occurs because of the brevity with which Martha and Mary are initially discussed. Many people take away the lesson from this story that Mary is commended for resting with Jesus, or for spending time with Jesus. Martha, on the other hand, is lightly reprimanded for her devotion and worry to other activities. The story would show an entirely different lesson if, instead, Jesus reprimanded Mary for laziness and praised Martha for her hard work! This utilizes a simple character switch, but completely changes the meaning of this passage.
Bibliography:
Bathsheba in the King James Version: link
Mary and Elizabeth in the King James Version: link
Martha and Mary in the King James Version: link
Image Information: Mary and Martha spending time with Jesus.
Link: Wikimedia
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