Those words aren’t paired together too often. Yet whether you know it or not, the Bible is filled with romantic tales. And some of those tales are downright steamy.
We’ve got…
Adam and Eve
God created Eve for Adam. If that isn’t the definition of soul mates, I don’t know what is.
Rebecca and Isaac
A beautiful story of love at first sight.
Jacob, Leah, Rachel
One of history’s oldest recorded love triangles. With a twist. Instead of a woman choosing between two men, we have a man torn between two women.
Samson and Delilah
A story of deception and betrayal.
David and Bathsheba
The epitome of forbidden lust. With devastating consequences.
Ruth and Boaz
Ruth would get along well in our modern-day world. Because in this story, she’s the one who does the pursuing. And guess what? God blesses her boldness.
Esther and King Ahasuerus
Think Prince William and Kate’s story, only on steroids. A commoner marries royalty, but instead of happily ever after, she must use the king’s favor to rescue her people from death.
Hosea and Gomer
The Biblical version of Pretty Woman. A story of a man burdened with love for a fallen woman. The prophet and the prostitute.
Joseph and Mary
They fall in love. Get engaged. Mary gets pregnant. Only it’s not Joseph’s child. Then an angel appears and the story goes all paranormal.
Song of Songs
An entire book of the Bible written between two lovers. It drips with passion. In fact, anyone who thinks Christianity is a prude religion must have skipped this book.
Jesus and His Bride
Battered. Bruised. Broken. Marred with scars. Covered in filth. Yet Jesus looks upon her with so much love, so much yearning, so much passion, He lays down His life to rescue her.
Let’s Talk: Do you think of the Bible as romantic? Why or why not? Did I leave out some stories that should be included in the list?
What a wonderful, thought-provoking post–thank you!
Jodi – I LOVE your question and your heart behind your question!!! In two weeks, I'm planning to write a post that addresses exactly this concern. Redefining Romance. Because God created Romance….in all its glorious giddiness. But we've corrupted it. Just like we corrupt everything. I hope you'll join in the conversation, Jodi!
Katie, you kill me! Mary, Joseph and the paranormal love child. I can see it now in hardcover.
Seriously though, I love these posts. And you've convinced me to pick up the bible again, and if that's not spreading the word, I don't know what is… 🙂
Thank you for giving me new eyes to see the best book I've ever read. I always saw it as a love letter to me, but it is so much more isn't it.
Perhaps I could open up a whole new element to this post, Katie. I would really love to see someone talk more about how God sees romance (the kind of romance we write in novels). I am struggling to know if what I want to write is edifying to the body or not. (And it isn't racy, it's just romance).
This post helped a little but I am curious to learn more.
Abraham and Sarah came to mind. When the king saw Abe chasing Sarah, he knew they weren't brother and sister. 🙂
Katie that was perfect. I love Biblical romance. Some of it so steamy too. 🙂 thanks again.
This is wonderful, Katie. I remember the best Bible study teacher I ever had (her name was also Katie)reminding us of how much sex was in the Bible. In fact our pastor just did a 4 week series of sermons on sex, referring to Bible passages. Prudish "Christians" just drive me nuts. So glad you did this.
Bonnie Engstrom
this was a great glimpse into the archtypal romances found in the Bible! very awesome.
yes, i DO believe the Bible is romantic. it's a love letter in and of itself, and it's got proof that sensuality isn't frowned upon! love that.
jeannie
the character therapist
Love this! 🙂
Great Friday post … or anytime post, really.
Thanks, too, for the vocab lesson.
Fav romance: Ruth & Boaz.
One of my life verses kinda reminds me of a romance: Colossians 1:13:
For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son …
The Bible is definitely the most powerful love story ever written. You give some great examples from it, Katie.
Great post, Katie. For sure, the Bible has romance. I mean, God INVENTED romance. He is the author of it. He put the stirring in our hearts for deep, abiding love, a love only he can truly fill. He invented marriage as a picture of our relationship with Jesus, our bridegroom. And THAT is beautiful.
Hosea and Gomer are a love story I hold dear to my heart. I've never been more moved by the power of a supernatual love that covers a multitude of sins!
I can't see the Bible as anything other than a glorious romance and when it comes alive and sinks in that WE are the bride He's so in love with, gets me all giddy!
I think the Bible is one of THE best tools for a writer when they need a good craft book. Foreshadowing, cliffhangers, imagery…it's pretty amazing!
Have a great weekend!
There are definitely tons of romantic stories in the Bible! And while many may not view the Bible itself as "romantic", look how many romance writers have taken those stories and done them wonderful justice by expounding on the romance! (Francine Rivers, et al.) God is so cool like that. Inspiring in all kinds of amazing ways.
Yep, I love how God put romance in there.
And I love the example you ended with…was thinking of that one the whole time. 😉
Oh happy weekend,
Wendy
Oh, Katie, I went all paranormal with cold chills reading through that list. You are so right. The Bible is ripe with love, lust, passion… Love this list. Makes my mind go all crazy with thinking about what kind of relationship I might throw into my next story. The Bible is the best source of inspiration!!
I agree, Laura – that the genre would definitely not be romance. I just love how there's romance in it. How parts of it are very romantic. Just how a family saga might be. 🙂
Barb – there's also Bathsheba by Jill Eileen Smith, which I've heard is really good. I'm sure there are more, too!
Not really, only because it doesn't focus on the romance. I see it more as an epic family saga that spans thousands of years! 🙂
oops, I think Ginger Garrett's book is actually called Chosen, not Esther.
LOL: "the story goes all paranomal."
Yes, I think of many of the Bible stories as romantic. And I have to say, I really love the way you explain romance without the stigma attached to it. There are many of us who are romantics at heart and sadly, there are those who condescend about it, who label romance as "lesser." As if it's some sort of emotional weakness. I love well-told romance stories.
Reading your list also brings to mind some novels based off those historic couples. Redeeming Love is, of course, a biggie. But there's also Esther, by Ginger Garrett, which was really good, too. Have you ever read either of those?
Interesting post.