Writers, artists, and musicians seeking interesting stories with moments of high drama have only to turn to the Bible. That book remains one of the most widely read books in the world, and contains myriad stories of violence, forbidden sex, exorcisms, prophecy, exploitation, purity laws, rules for moral behavior, and messages of hope and triumphant. The biblical narratives have inspired creativity in popular culture since the first centuries after the Bible was written. The virgin birth of Jesus and the temptation of Eve remain two of the most enduring of the stories featuring women.