Katie Edwards is Lecturer in Biblical Studies at the University of Sheffield, UK

What do people know about the Bible, and how much do they know? The media often discusses the worrying 'decline' in biblical literacy, but what does this really mean, and how can we measure this assumed 'decline'? How can we go about teaching 'biblical literacy', and about teaching teachers how to teach it?

Rethinking Biblical Literacy explores the question of biblical literacy, examining the Bible's use, influence and impact in advertising, street art, poetry, popular erotic literature, Irish and UK secondary education, stand-up comedy and The Simpsons TV series to display the different types of literacy and knowledge of the Bible. Katie B. Edwards brings together several specialists in the cultural use, impact and influence of the Bible to examine the contested nature of biblical literacy and to explore the variety of ways of 'knowing' about the Bible. The picture created is one of a broad range and at times surprising depth of knowledge about what remains arguably most influential collection of texts ever to be published.

1. The Quest for Biblical Literacy: Curricula, Culture and Case Studies - Iona Hine (University of Sheffield)
2. Lisbeth and Leviticus: Biblical Literacy and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo- Caroline Blyth (University of Auckland)
3. Biblical Literacy: The Irish Situation - Máire Byrne (Milltown Institute)
4. Streetwise About the Bible: Unexpected Allusions (to the Text) in Unusual Places - Amanda Dillon (Independent Researcher)
5. Loss of the Bible and the Bible in Lost: Biblical Literacy and Mainstream Television - Matthew Collins (University of Chester)
6. Words Versus Images: Biblical Literacies and Visual Culture - Katie B. Edwards (University of Sheffield)
7. Salome,Picasso and the Saltimbanques - Liliana M. Nutu (University of Sheffield)
8. Biblical Literacy and The Simpsons - Robert Myles (University of Auckland)
9. A Room Full of Poo: Eddie Izzard's Bible and the Literacy of Laughter - Christopher Meredith (University of Sheffield)
10. Mary,Mary, Quite Contrary: Eve as Redemptrix in Madonna's Girl Gone Wild - Alan Hooker (University of Exeter)
11. 'Neoliberal Bibles: Biblical Literacy and Popular Culture - James Crossley (University of Sheffield)
12. The Devil's Chaplin and his Bible:Richard Dawkins and the Rhetoric of Biblical Literacy - Samuel Tongue (University of Glasgow)
13. Ways of Knowing: A Respons -Hugh Pyper (University of Sheffield)