The Bible is undoubtedly the most well known book ever put together. It is full of literary devices and beautiful words and phrases. The Bible is also full of something much more than words, it's the meaning behind these words and the gift of inclusiveness and forgiveness and grace and love that has shaped an entire culture around this book. In the novels we imagine ourselves in, the shows we tune in to, the movies we pay too much to see, the art we pretend to understand, and even in the songs we jam out to in our cars, the Bible has somehow shaped them all. Without inspiration from the Bible, most of the entertainment we love and know would have probably never been created. Many would argue that the world would be a better place without religion; however, would the world be better without the art forms we have today? I've decided to pick three of my favorite pieces of entertainment and art and very briefly elaborate on how the Bible has influenced them in some way.
How I Met Your Mother
How I Met Your Mother is a television show that is built upon a story that a father is telling his children, explaining to them how he met their mother. It is one of this decade’s most popular television sitcoms; it’s arguably one of the most popular sitcoms ever made. So, it’s no surprise that it would allude back to the most popular book ever written. Episode 11 of season 3 uses a Biblical allusion, one of many episodes that use literary devices to relate back to the Bible. In this episode, entitled “The Platinum Rule,” Barney explains to Ted that everyone’s heard of the Golden Rule, or “love thy neighbor” as Barney puts it, but there’s one rule that’s even greater than that. It’s called “The Platinum Rule,” and that rule is: "Never, ever, ever, ever love thy neighbor." The allusion here is to the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, which states, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." An allusion, in this instance, is a piece of art that references or relates back to another piece of art. This allusion is extremely important, not only to the episode, but also to the overall outcome of the show itself. Without Barney's Biblical allusion to the Golden Rule and his creation of the pessimistic Platinum Rule, Ted would have never searched for a silver lining to the rule and come up with the 9th stage of the Platinum Rule (Co-existence). Without the Bible and Barney's Golden Rule allusion, Ted would have never been inspired to take a risk and go on a date with Stella, which would have set his life on a completely different path. If Ted would have taken a different path in life, it's almost certain that he would never meet his wife/the mother of his children. The entire show, in theory (Butterfly Effect kind of stuff), balances on the Bible and that allusion. Perhaps these were all things that had to happen to fulfill the How I Met Your Mother prophecies.
"Hold on" by: Alabama Shakes
Alabama Shakes is a band that has found its way to radio and television recently with their hit song, "Hold On." They have also found their way into my ears at least fifteen times today, with that very same song. The song is soulful, inspiring, catchy, and full of Biblical associations. One literary device found in the song is apostrophe. Apostrophe is when one person addresses someone who is absent, imaginary, and/or a dead figure as if it were present and able to talk back. It can be implied that the lead singer, Brittany, is talking to God, or rather God is talking to her. It can also be implied that the musician believes that God is helping her through a difficult situation, and bestowing in her the will to keep on going. Though she doesn't want to wait, God insists that she has to wait. It could be argued that what she doesn't want to wait for is to go to Heaven (she wants to go now,) but God insists that she continues on here. It can also be argued that what she doesn't want to wait for is for her difficult situation to be over, but God is telling her to hold on a little longer and that it will all be over soon. Without the Bible, this song would possibly be nonexistent or at least far more pessimistic. The song seems dependent on "someone up above" to help her through the tough times, and to keep on going. Without the Bible, and the lead singer's knowledge of that "someone up above," Brittany would have no reason to write this song. Everything that the song is about depends on the musician's faith, and without this book her faith would be diminished. She would have nothing to hold on to.
"MAN UP" FROM THE BROADWAY MUSICAL THE BOOK OF MORMON
Some consider The Book of Mormon to be the funniest musical ever written. I would be one of that some. In this musical, there are countless references and mockeries of Mormonism, Christianity, and religion itself. A parody, which is a work of art that imitates, mimics, or mocks another work of art for comic purposes, can be found in one of the songs in the musical. A song entitled “Man Up” is a parody of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, which can be found in Matthew 27:1-50. In the musical, Elder Cunningham and Elder Price have been assigned to do their mission in Uganda, which is not ideal to Elder Price whom had hoped to be assigned to do his mission work in his favorite city, Orlando. After much frustration and failure in a village in Uganda, Elder Price deserts the simple and seemingly lesser-qualified Elder Cunningham. However, the particular musical number being discussed begins when the villagers return interested and seeking more knowledge about the religion the Mormons have brought to them; Elder Cunningham’s bildungsroman-esque story has reached its peak. Much like Jesus did when He died for the sins of all, Elder Cunningham must man up. Without the Bible, this musical would have no purpose for being written. Though I'm sure it can be assumed that the creators of this musical probably find religion idiotic and pointless, their musical, along with their fame and fortune and careers, bank upon its presence to the culture. This little piece of pop culture doesn't just reference the Bible, it is dependent upon it.
It's so strange to see how so many things that I love, even things that mock and belittle it, depend so greatly upon the Bible and Christianity. Whether one believes or not in what's written on the pages of the Bible, one cannot deny that its impact on art and entertainment is worthy of joy and praise. Without these things that help us through hard times, our favorite movie or song or book, the world would be a difficult place for anyone to "hold on" to anything in. This great piece of literature has brought far more salvation than we realize, and its impacts on our lives are unfathomable.