The Influence and Role of the Bible in Western Culture, Research Paper Example

The current rise of approaches seeking to use biblical interpretation has raised vital theological questions on the value of culture in societal cultures. Some scholar have viewed the Bible as just literature, and hence treated it as a human literary artifact (Estes 1-4). Scholars in this school of thought have rendered the Bible as appropriate for teaching religion. Conversely, some scholars have shared the conception that the Bible is not just a literary text and that provides vital remedies to societal norms (Heisey 3-5). Indeed, it is based on the second thinking that this essay argues that the Bible is a significant instrument influencing cultures.

As Thiessen (1) explains, the Bible has had a significant influence on the prevailing cultures existing in the Western countries. Thiessen (1) expounds the idea that the Bible forms a basis for ideas and principles on which of the cultures in the modern society are anchored. Some modern-day scholars in the field of theology such as Yu (14) have expressed that the Bible has shaped the cultural practices, such as naming, literature, laws, education, as well as the religious attitudes. According to Thiessen (1), the Bible’s influence on Western culture is identifiable in several historic and artistic artefacts, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s painting, which illustrates “The Last Supper.”  Indeed, the Bible has continued to permeate Western cultures with indications that much of the Western cultures are borrowed from the illustrations in the Bible (Thiessen 1). The positive influence of Bible is significant particularly in culture of Western Civilization.

The Bible has significantly influenced the ideas incorporated in much of the elements existing in the popular music of the Western world. Much of the concepts in the Western world music are derived from the Book of Revelation in the Bible. Additionally, most of the popular hymn songs used for religious functions in the Western society, including burial ceremonies or church services is directly derived from the Bible. Some popular cultures, such as the concept of millennium buzz, which captured the world’s attention before the year 2000, were derived from the Book of Revelation. Ideas in the Western world’s pop and rock music have also been derived from the Bible. An example includes the song “The Number of the Beast” by the Iron Maiden band, whose concepts of the ‘number of the beast’ can be traced in the Bible (Thiessen 1).

Many ideas in the movies produced in the Western world have also been derived from the Bible. Many of the movies produced in the Western world portray themes from the Bible. Examples include the “The Ten Commandments,” that was produced by Cecil B. DeMille in 1923. The film depicts Moses’s life as he leads the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, into the Promised Land. The remake of the film in 1956 showed similar concepts. Consequently, therefore, Hollywood has been greatly influenced by the Bible. Notable examples include King of Kings, The Passion of the Christ, The Chronicles of Narnia, The Exorcist, The Lord of the Rings, The Prince of Egypt, Pulp Fiction and Bruce Almighty. As Yu (15-18) argues, the reference to biblical themes and concepts in films has also served to increase biblical literacy. In which case, while the Bible has substantially directed the themes used in the films, Christianity has also benefitted since the films have increased bible literacy. What this also means is that the Bible has not been neglected in American cultures. As Beavis (1) suggests, movies give evidence of the role of the Bible in determining the manner in which the modern society tells stories, portrays its heroes, understands own experiences, envisages a future, and explains themselves to other. Beavis (1), in her analysis, demonstrates how the Bible shaped the manner in which the film “Fargo,” was created. She suggests that the Bible has shaped the manner in which the classical Christian concepts of integrity and vice are portrayed in the film (Thiessen 1).

The Bible has also significantly influenced Western literature. Indeed, this is one of the most significant influences. . The Bible is accountable for much of the literature, language, as well as fine arts enjoyed because its artists and composers were significantly influenced by the writings in the Bible. Yu (15-18) writes that the Bible has made Christians to have a significant impact on Western religions, teachings, nation building, movements, as well as philosophy.  The influences start with the missionaries who introduced alphabet and literacy to the preachers who transcended Europe in the 1300s. Estes (3-4) shows that the Bible has influenced literature in the Western nations. It became a culture for most people in England to learn how to read in order to be able to read the Bible (Thiessen 1). Additionally, many biblical phrases today exist in English, such as “The Good Samaritan.” The common words, either borrowed or developed from the Bible and which appeared in the Bible’s first translation include holier than thou, castaway,  two-edged sword, ambitious, cucumber, beautiful, house divided, scapegoat, wrinkle and liberty.

Some scholars have also demonstrated that the very first English poetry was directly derived from the Bible. At the same time, English drama significantly derives much of the language used in the biblical narrative.  Indeed, several literary classics have directly used allusions and themes from the Bible. These include John Steinbeck’s “The Grapes of Wrath,” William Golding’s “Lord of the Flies,” Toni Morrison’s “The Song of Solomonm” and Harriet Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.” For instance, in the “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” the author has nearly 100 direct quotations from the Bible, mainly the King James version. In such a situation, understanding the book is difficult without knowledge of the Bible. At any rate, this clearly shows that Western art and literature are products of the significant influence of the Bible (Thiessen 1).

The bible has also significantly influenced the leadership styles and cultures in the Western world. Indeed, Friedman (5) notes that since the Bible rebukes hiding mistakes great people make, it has become an extremely useful text for promoting morality in the Western world. The lessons the Bible provides, Friedman (5-8) states, have instrumentally helped people in leadership positions to improve their character. Indeed, leadership stories of Joseph, Jacob, Solomon, Saul, and leadership have been integrated into Western leadership to define the leaders the society should accept. In particular, the concept of ethical culture is largely derived from the Bible. Friedman (5-8) examined how the Bible has brought about ethical cultures of leadership, as established worthwhile lessons of how the stories of ethically upright leaders, such as Moses, Jacob, Joseph, and Abraham have influenced how people value different leadership styles and the concept of ethical cultures.

The Bible has also influenced the inheritance of leadership in Western societies. For instance, what can be learned from Jacob’s mistake is that the successor should not be designated prematurely. Additionally, a successor has to be groomed. For instance, Moses groomed Joshua for nearly 40 years before Joshua succeeded Moses (Numbers 27:16-23). The culture of grooming leaders and inheriting leadership has been typical in Western societies. For instance, the English society has traditionally valued grooming of leaders and inheritance of the royalty.

Bible has also influenced the manner in which the Western world approaches law and justice, specifically in areas where culture is of concern. The biblical morality has been substantially integrated to make up the most vital single influence on the modern-day Western legal systems, particularly in respect to cases involving cultural conflicts, such as the civil law system. The American common law is also adopted from the Bible. Thiessen (1) explores the developments of the courts of equity by showing how the Bible has an influence on laws governing cultural conflicts. In England, the courts became initiated during the 13th century to offer an alternative to the common law courts. In particular, the common law had restriction, as it only permitted a person to sue another for disputes that were of limited scope, such as false imprisonment, assault, battery, trespassing and theft.  However, disputes that were outside this scope, such as the elements of culture, could not be addressed using common law courts. On the other hand, the concept of courts of equity, which borrowed largely from the Bible, has allowed people to take legal actions for cases beyond false imprisonment, assault, battery, trespassing and theft.

The Bible has had a significant influence on how the Western society names people and place. Indeed, this is another area, where the Bible has had a significant influence. Much of the names in the Western society have their sources in the Bible. The trend of naming people using names borrowed from the Bible is also one of the oldest influences of the Bible.   Examples include John, which is a popular name for males. Mary is also a popular name for a female in the Western society. Names of places have also been borrowed from the Bible. Examples include Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7), as well as Nazareth, and Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, United States. In California, places with Biblical names include Bethel Island, Carmel, Antioch, Goshen, Temple City and Joshua Tree (Center for Bible Engagement 5-7).

Conclusion

The Bible has had a significant influence on the prevailing cultures existing in the Western countries. It is a basis for ideas and principles on which the cultures in the modern society are anchored. It has shaped the cultural practices, such as naming, literature, laws, education, as well as the religious attitudes. The Bible has significantly influenced the ideas incorporated in much of the elements existing in the popular music of the Western world. Many ideas in the movies produced in the Western world have also been derived from the Bible. Consequently, Hollywood has been greatly influenced by the Bible. The Bible has also significantly influenced Western literature, as many biblical phrases today exist in English. Some scholars have also demonstrated that the very first English poetry was directly derived from the Bible. The bible has also significantly influenced the leadership styles and cultures in the Western world. For instance, the English society has traditionally valued grooming of leaders and inheritance of the royalty. Bible has also influenced the manner in which the Western world approaches the law. The Bible has had a significant influence on how the Western society names people and place.

Works Cited

Beavis, Mary. Fargo: A Biblical Morality Play. The Journal of Religion and Film 4.2 (2000): Center for Bible Engagement. “The Bible’s Influence on America’s Culture.” Center for Bible Engagement, 2015. 16 April 2015, <http://www.centerforbibleengagement.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=7>

Estes, Daniel. “The Hermeneutics of Biblical Lyric Poetry.” Bibliotheca Sacra 152.608 (1995): 413-430.

Friedman, Hershey. “Moral Leadership: Ancient Lessons for Modern Times.” Journal of College and Character (2001): 1-6

Heisey, Nancy. “The Influence of African Scholars on Biblical Studies: An evaluation.” Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 101 (July 1998) 35-48

Thiessen, Carol. “How the Bible has shaped the Western World.” Faith Today, 1998. 16 April 2015, <http://newhopeforliving.com/old/guest03.htm>

Yu, Anthony. “Literature, Religion, and East/West Comparison: Essays in Honor of Anthony C. Yu.” University of Delaware Press: Delaware, 2005