The Book that Built the World. (Part 2 of 5)

How the Bible Shaped Western Civilization

The Bible stands unrivaled as the book that most profoundly shaped the course of Western civilization.

That is a bold claim to make at the outset of this five-part series. But stand back for a moment and look at its profound influence in every sector and facet of human life.

• Literacy and Language — Bible translations standardized vernacular languages. Translations of the Bible (Wycliffe, Tyndale, King James Bible) gave people the powerful tool of Scripture for their daily use. And it also gave them a common language. The English language, once a minority tongue among thousands, spread across the world and opened up trade, expansion, education, and migration.
• Moral and Legal Codes — Judeo-Christian ethics influenced law codes, ideals of justice, and human rights. The trial process outlined in the Book of Daniel shaped ideals like trial by jury and corroborating evidence. Concepts of fairness and human rights stem from Judeo-Christian ethics.
• Societal Norms — Biblical teachings on marriage, gender roles, and sexuality shaped family structures and values. The Biblical emphasis on the nuclear family and gender hierarchy led to distinct family structures and values. Families were the havens of human warmth for protecting women and children from a harsh world.
• Much more — Monasteries and churches as education centers during the Middle Ages. Biblical themes and imagery in Western art, literature, and music shaped generation after generation.
• Of course, the Bible’s influence extends further, which we will continue exploring in this series. But this single book profoundly shaped law, language, education, values, and beyond in Western civilization. Part 3 comes next.