Shorter Bible Plays by Rita Benton
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Rita Benton's Shorter Bible Plays is exactly what the title promises: a collection of short, scripted versions of famous biblical stories. Originally published in the early 20th century, the book adapts narratives like the Creation, Noah's Ark, the story of Joseph, and the Nativity into simple plays meant for performance.
The Story
There isn't one continuous plot. Instead, Benton serves as a playwright, selecting key episodes from the Old and New Testaments and framing them as scenes with dialogue, character directions, and staging notes. You see Cain's anger flare up against Abel in a real-time argument. You get to imagine the practical chaos of loading the ark. The book presents the stories not as distant history, but as moments of high drama waiting to be acted out.
Why You Should Read It
What makes this book special is its energy and accessibility. Benton writes with a clear goal: to make these stories active and communal. Reading it, you can't help but visualize a group of people—maybe in a church basement, a classroom, or a living room—bringing these scripts to life. It reminds you that these ancient tales are full of human emotion, conflict, and wonder. It's less about theological debate and more about experiencing the narrative punch of these foundational events.
Final Verdict
This is a gem for specific readers. It's perfect for teachers, youth leaders, or community theater folks looking for straightforward, royalty-free material. It's also a fun, different read for anyone curious about the Bible who finds traditional translations a bit dense. Think of it as a backstage pass to the drama of scripture. Just don't expect deep analysis; this book is all about the performance.
This historical work is free of copyright protections. You do not need permission to reproduce this work.
Patricia Hernandez
1 year agoVery interesting perspective.
Mary Gonzalez
9 months agoThis book was worth my time since the emotional weight of the story is balanced perfectly. I learned so much from this.