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Can I base part of my story on the bible, if my world does not have the bible?

nwillmott8897

nwillmott8897

Journeyman
Because of the context of my story (angels, demons, etc. All very biblical) I'm considering a plot-line that is based upon the Book of Revelations. I've thought into it quite well and it really does seem to fit in with the story-lines I already had, so I'm not really that worried about that. And I know that the Bible is used in a lot of Modern fiction to aid the story (Take Supernatural or Sleepy Hollow for example.)

But my issue really is, can the events of the Book of Revelations play out in a world that does not have a Book of Revelations? Although not all of the events in the book are going to happen in my story-line (the plot is basically my characters trying to stop the bad guy from setting events into motion. E.g: They cannot prevent the coming of the Horsemen, or the falling of the star Wormwood... But they do manage to stop the Scorpion-tailed locust, and the death of the Witnesses.)

So my issue is... Can the events of Revelations happen in a world that does not have a Book of Revelations? It might be quite trivial, but as an English Lit student, the little things really bug me :p XD

Also, sorry for any misspellings, the keyboard I'm using is new, and still quite stiff :/ :p

Thanks! :D
 
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CupofJoe

CupofJoe

Istari
I can't see why not.
The themes are fairly broad.
I don't think that Christianity is alone in having an end-of-the-word story.
The tricky thing as /i see it is, if the MCs don't have "Book of Revelations" to refer to, will they understand what is going to happen?
 
C Hollis

C Hollis

Lore Master
As long as you don't reference the Book of Revelations it's all good.

The story itself is not unique to the bible. Like most stories, there are elements that make it the story it is.
 
GeekDavid

GeekDavid

Dark Lord
I see no reason you couldn't.

One thing, tho... I've discovered that fantasy readers don't particularly mind having a moral message in their stories, even Biblically inspired moral messages, as long as the author doesn't beat them over the head with it.

As that old book says, a word to the wise is sufficient. :)
 
Pythagoras

Pythagoras

Lore Master
What are the forces at work behind your apocalypse? Is there a higher power? Because, Bible or no, it seems to me that events such as those depicted in Revelation necessitate some kind of god behind them, and I would be interested to know how you plan on approaching that.
 
nwillmott8897

nwillmott8897

Journeyman
Thanks for all the reassurance, I'm really not sure why I was worrying... :p

And in response to Pythagoras...
My world does have a god, but he really does not come into play other than the occasional mention, or small conversation. As he "Doesn't meddle in the affairs of humans" in my world. And under god come Adam and Eve (Archangels) and then all the angels of Heaven. And on the other end of the spectrum are Lilith (Archangel), the Lilin (8 fallen angels) and Demons (Tortured Souls). However, Adam, Eve and the angels aren't as innocent as you may thing, as it is them that set about Revelation, and Lilith that is trying to stop them. And throughout this whole drama, God decides it needs to play its course, etc.

Does that help? :D

And also, there is a brief spell where the characters of my novel find themselves in our world (1500's) whilst looking for the Book of Revelation (This is one of the few times that God actually tries to help.) as a way to help them predict what will be coming next.

I realise that all of that probably sounded like complete gibberish, but hopefully you can make some sense of it :p XD
 
R

robosnake

New Member
I would say, definitely yes. This is done a great deal - in Narnia, for example, though there it is barely disguised, and in Middle-Earth, as well as many other examples. Biblical stories and themes play out in many stories, most of which have no overt 'Bible'.
 
DassaultMirage

DassaultMirage

Master
In my story, the two kinds of magic were the Erelim Arts and the Dark Arts. The Erelim Arts were from the Erelims, exclusive to humans. The Dark Arts were from the Fallens, exclusive to a race produced with humans mating with Fallens, the Nephilims. There would be no "god", but an oft mentioned deity known as Ein Sof. The borrowing from Christianity ends there though, and I sort of share your question if it would be fine to use said terms which would be a very clear reference to religious figures.
 
K

Kn'Trac

Master
Actually - there is... on the text of some of the different version.
Copyright on religious works [Wiki]
It looks like some publishers will let you have free use for non comercial or religious purposes.
The Stories are free to adapt though!
Click to expand...

How do they send the Royalties to God? *s*
 
E

ebervalius

Acolyte
Well of coarse! I mean, Tolkien based some stuff on the Bible, and in the Epic of Beowulf, neither of whicgh exist in Middle-earth.
 
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