'Woe is me' to those who miss biblical rhetoric

CLEVELAND (AP) — If a phrase like "Woe is me" sounds familiar, it should. It comes from the Bible and has entered everyday language.

Now the culture wars have heightened the use of biblical phrases as rivals try to invoke heavenly punch and challenge your Bible IQ.

In Cleveland, Case Western Reserve University professor Timothy Beal has written a new book connecting popular references to biblical stories. The book titled "Biblical Literacy: the Essential Bible Stories Everyone Needs to Know" was published in October.

Beal says you cannot be culturally literate without being biblically literate. He believes people who lack familiarity with biblical references in everyday life are missing a lot.