Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-29) on the internet: the implications of the internet for the study of the Bible

Abstract

The Internet is a rich storage house for studying the role of the Bible in contemporary American and Western culture. The examination of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19) on the Internet demonstrates that biblical studies gain from the critical interaction with the digital world. Many religiously oriented Web pages mention the biblical story when they discuss the issue of homosexuality. Others include archaeological findings to prove the historicity for the existence and destruction of the two cities. Numerous Web pages give evidence for the commercial, cultural, and fantastic significance of Sodom and Gomorrah. The study shows that contemporary culture and thus the digital world cannot and should not be ignored in biblical studies. The nexus of Bible and culture promises an enhanced understanding in the social, political, economic, and religious factors that lead to interpretations of Genesis 19 in particular and the Bible in general.