After Grendel's defeat Beowulf claims that he, "was granted the glory of winning" (817-18). In addition to Beowulf's recognition of God in everything he does, he also seems to have a mystical protection that guards all of his actions. At the same time, Beowulf realizes that this protection must be earned, specifically through his values: courage, honestly, pride, and humility. An example of how God protects Beowulf occurs when he opens a treasure upon which the ancients had placed a spell. Beowulf is somehow able to open the treasure with no effect at all, since he is protected by God (Irving 87).
Perhaps more interesting than the history of Christianity and its effect on Beowulf are the numerous biblical symbols and references in the text. One of the first and most obvious biblical references is the story of Cain and Abel. Grendel, who in the ancient version of this story probably took on more of a demonic role, is transformed by the Christian author into a descendent of Cain. The monster is described as a fiend from hell, "malignant by nature," and "never showing remorse" (137). Nature in this sense takes on a new meaning. It doesn't simply refer to the world around us, but it refers to the godly nature that is believed to govern the world. Grendel, "bears both the mark of Cain and the wrath of God." He is often times referred to as a refugee banished into the wilderness for the murder of this brother, as Anglo-Saxon outlaws of that time were (Irving 47-48). The descriptions of Grendel clearly cause the reader to identify him with darkness and evil, and thus as an opponent of God. There is also a subtle reference to the resurrection of Jesus and God, the Father in the description when: "Hrothgar, watching the lake water, saw a heave-up and surge of waves and blood in the backwash. They bowed gray heads, spoke in their sage, experienced way about the good warrior, how they never again expected to see that prince returning in triumph to their king" (1592-58).