A person in the English-speaking world is not literate without a basic knowledge of the Bible With basic knowledge you understand what is meant when someone describes a contest as being between a David and a Goliath. You know whether a person who has the wisdom of Solomon is wise or foolish You know whether a person saying, "My cup runneth over" means he feels fortunate or unfortunate. Those who cannot understand such allusions find it difficult to participate in literate English or our culture in general. One benefits by understanding something of the Old Testament and the New Testament; by a bit of the Book of Isaiah, by the story of Abraham and Issac, by the parables and sayings of Jesus.
A minimally educated person needs basic knowledge of Islam, Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Judaism, as well as Christianity.
In the English speaking world we benefit by knowing a bit about the sos of Abraham, Ishmael, and Issac. Knowing about Adam and Eve, alpha and omega, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' angels, Annunciation, Antichrist, Apocalypse, the Twelve Apostles, Ararat helps. Having some familiarity with Noah's Ark, Armageddon, "Ask and it shall be given you." Tower of Babel, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Jacob and Esau, "Love your enemies." helps too. A good bit more such as Ruth, Apostil Paul, the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. doesn't hurt.
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