Why are the speeches of Zarathustra full of biblical references when he earlier claims that "God is dead"?

Friedrich Nietzsche's character Zarathustra is known for his speeches that are filled with biblical references, despite his earlier claim that "God is dead." This apparent contradiction has puzzled scholars and readers alike. So why are the speeches of Zarathustra full of biblical references?

One possible explanation is that Nietzsche did not reject Christianity outright but rather the traditional Christian morality that dominated European culture. In his view, the death of God symbolized the collapse of traditional morality and the need for a new moral code. By using biblical references in his speeches, Nietzsche was not affirming the existence of God but rather criticizing the morality that had been based on Christian teachings.

Moreover, Nietzsche saw the Bible not as a religious text but as a work of literature that had shaped Western culture. He believed that the stories and teachings in the Bible had a profound impact on the development of Western civilization, and therefore, it was essential to understand them. By referencing the Bible in his speeches, he was not affirming the Christian faith but rather using it as a tool to critique and challenge traditional morality.

Furthermore, the use of biblical references in Zarathustra's speeches can be seen as a way to reach a wider audience. Nietzsche was aware that his ideas would be controversial and challenging to many, and by using biblical references, he was able to communicate his ideas in a way that would be more accessible to a broader audience.