Socio-Political and Economic Environment, Research Paper Example

The Bible is without doubt one of the most influential artifacts of the last one thousand years. Despite the secularization of western society to remove all traces of religious influence in every facet of humanity there is no denying the fact that western civilizations greatest influence came from this book. The Bible is a book that contains several other books 63 in all, written by authors over many centuries. It demarcates what is right and what is wrong. It covers a wide range of topics and themes including historical records of events long past. (Schimdt, 45)

The Vulgate largely the work of St. Jerome was a translation of the old Greek text. The Vulgate came to have such a profound impact it influenced later versions of the bible including the infamous King James Version. It of the Vulgate infiltrated all areas phraseology and wording and culture. (Schippe, 45) Some common phrases like, “a law unto themselves (Romans 2.14),” and “fight the good fight (1 Timothy 6.12),” Its influence on art is unmistakable everything from Michael Angelo’s, Chaucer, William Shakespeare, Johann Sebastian Bach. Bacon has been called “the practical creator of scientific induction.” . (Schimdt, 185)

The bible did not just appear. It was originally an oral tradition amongst the Jews. The Bible is unique in that it just wasn’t written it evolved and grew over time. The form we now know as the Old Testament came right after the Babylonian exile of the Jews in 500 B.C. (Schippe,79) The New Testament went through the same development. With increased archeological finds and better translation methods the language of the bible has changed as well. The middle ages, the enlightenment have influenced its interpretation for indeed the earth was at the center of the universe once. As culture has changed so have the rules though they exist in scripture they are no longer adhered to strictly. The future generations will know it but its influence in their lives is highly questionable. It is always evolving as far as rules are concerned it is always changing the goal posts one minute its homosexuality is wrong next there are gay priests.(DeMar, 36)

Works Cited

DeMar, G. (2003). America’s Christian Heritage. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Morris, B. (2007). The Christian Life and Character of the Civil Institutions of the United States. Powder Springs, GA: American Vision.

Schippe, C., & Stetson, C. (2006). The Bible and Its Influence. Fairfax, VA: BLP Publishing.

Schmidt, A. (2004). How Christianity Changed the World. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.