Biblical mythology : Three books to discover or rediscover

Since the dawn of time and long before the emergence of science, human beings have forged a whole battery of mythologies with the sole aim of finding a plausible explanation for the creation of our universe as well as the natural or physical forces gravitating around us. These different stories, which vary according to the ethnic groups making up our world, were first spread orally and then transcribed in handwritten form. Whether we believe in them or not, these myths and legends have left their mark on the history of our various societies and have governed the social life of many peoples in different forms of belief. It is not a question of advocating a particular religion here, but rather of taking these different stories as magnificent fictional works that have had some importance in everyone's memories. Today, we will discuss collections that have enriched the heritage of Christianity.

Lost Paradise (John Milton)

Written in 1667 by the English poet John Milton, The Lost Paradise is an epic fresco recounting the origins of humanity and the divine warfare that opposed Lucifer's troops to that of the Almighty. Divided into twelve separate chapters, this work was written in verses to correspond to what the reader already knew more or less with the famous Bible. We learn there the famous fall of the light carrier who refused to submit to God's will to create man and woman, the creation of Hell and Paradise, Lucifer's ploy to tempt Adam and Eve and finally the departure of those from the Elysée under the benevolent eye of the Archangel Michael.

A true epic that fills in the dark and unexplained parts of the reference text, Le paradis perdu is a contemporary version of the Manichean vision of the origin of good and evil. It should also be noted that this text is a real feat, since the author, having lost his sight a few years before the work was carried out, had to compose his head lines before transmitting them to a copyist. If you are a fan of chivalrous stories with mystical tendencies, you will probably be delighted when you read this book.

Divine Comedy / Dante's inferno (Dante Alighieri)

A popular book that has nourished many beliefs and inspired many works of all kinds, Divine Comedy is the work of the poet Dante Alighieri, who based his story on Paul's Apocalypse. A long poem divided into three parts, these describe the passage of Dante and Virgil through the different strata of Hell, Purgatory and finally Paradise. Obviously, the first part of this long march was the one that attracted the most public attention. For, in addition to describing the horrors and other abominations populating the underworld, the author gives a structural conception of this underground world, in the form of nine concentric circles which thus shelter the seven deadly sins but also the kingdom of Satan.

The Divine Comedy is undoubtedly the most famous and appreciated fable of Christianity. An exceptional work of art, in literary and whimsical terms, this little gem, which is part of humanity's tangible heritage, has provoked many devouring passions among famous artists. Thus Botticceli, Delacroix and Gustave Doré realized their own perceptions of this universe, through the creation of paintings and other engravings. If you manage to get your hands on a book illustrated by one of these artists, you will undoubtedly be dazzled by the beauty of the story associated with the totally Dantesque visuals !

The book of Enoch

An apocryphal text written by Noah's great-grandfather himself, Enoch's book is a work that has sparked much debate among the three monolithic religions. Sometimes considered canonical and an integral part of Genesis, it was rejected by the Vatican because of its history depicting some angels as characters with low virtues. However, this story has its importance in mythological terms since it addresses the taboo subject of the relationship between the beings of the kingdom of heaven and mortals. For yes, it is a work relating the union of various angels who have fallen in love with the women residing on earth. From this emotional and loving bond will come the famous nephilims.

A book that is quite difficult to find since it is not very well published, Enoch's book would undoubtedly deserve a cinematographic adaptation as it exploits a rich bestiary as well as an almost fanciful dimension. Halfway between the initiatory adventure and the occult collection, the book of Enoch is a reading that proves to be exciting and unforgettable, where treachery, divine justice and supernatural miracles are mixed.