Tacoma Community College Library: ENGL 261: The Bible as Literature: Websites

Why use websites in your research?

Why use websites?

Websites are the most accessible sources for research, having a format with the ability to reach across the globe to people with internet access. Convenience is a major reason for using websites in research, and many journals, publishers, organizations, and authors have taken this opportunity to reach out to the public by utilizing websites and other digital means. Websites are also a major gateway to publications from non-profit organizations and government agencies.

The flip side of using websites:

But with convenience comes risk for users -- you have to make sure you evaluate sources thoroughly, particularly sources online! Why? Because both individuals and groups can create websites and write about anything they choose--whether or not they have the education, training, or experience to make them experts.

Image source: "Computers and notebook" image by 6689062 is licensed under CC0 (public domain)

Bible-focused web sites to explore

The Bible and the web

It can be particularly difficult to find unbiased web sites dealing with the Bible. Many sites exist to promote a particular interpretation of the Bible or of Christianity, so it is important to dig a little and find out something about the publishers or authors. The fact that a web site promotes a particular point of view does not mean that it might not have valuable information you can use.

List of English Bible Translations: Complete Bibles
A sortable table of English language Bible versions. You can sort the list using any of the column headings.The table was compiled from a number of sources, primarily William J. Chamberlin's Catalogue of English Bible Translations; A Classified Bibliography of Versions and Editions Including Books, Parts, and Old and New Testament Apocrypha and Apocryphal Books.
Bible Gateway - Versions
Site includes hundreds of different Bible translations. Scroll through the versions on this page to access the full-text of the specific version or translation you need. Site does have ads.

Blue Letter Bible search tool
This web site provides a free, sophisticated tool for searching within 20 versions of the Bible. The search tool was created by the Blue Letter Bible organization, which describes itself as providing "powerful tools for an in-depth study of God’s Word through our free online reference library, with study tools that are grounded in the historical, conservative Christian faith". The web site uses cookies.
Bible Gateway
"A searchable online Bible in more than 200 versions and 70 languages that you can freely read, research, and reference anywhere." The top of the home page has an easy-to-use search box, where you can choose any one of dozens of different Bible translations with a drop-down menu. Site now a member of HarperCollins Christian Publishing. Site does contain ads.
Bible Odyssey - Search Bibles
Search and compare passages from the complete text of three Bibles: the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV), the Tanakh: The Holy Scriptures, and the King James Version (KJV). A site maintained by the Society of Biblical Literature, and their mission is to "promote the academic study of the Bible and of sacred texts generally."

10 Things You Should Know about the Bible as Literature
An interesting and brief piece about studying the Bible as literature. It addresses the discord individuals may feel between their personal feelings and beliefs about the Bible and the literary study of it. The author is a member of Crossway, a not-for-profit Christian ministry.

The Writing Center: Religious Studies
The Writing Center at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill has created a useful guide for their extensive Religious Studies program, including Bible as Literature courses.