The Influence of the Bible In World Civilization
The Influence of the Bible In World Civilization THE INFLUENCE OF THE BIBLE IN, WORLD CIVILIZATION
L. R. WILSON THE BIBLE is a very small Book, yet all the libraries in America would not contain the volumes that have been written about it. It has been the greatest inspiration of the poets, the painters, authors and composers. It has given a peculiar charm to the land and customs whence it came. Names, dates, places and incidents are immortalized by their association therewith. It has been the occasion of more study, research, and controversy than any other source. Unquestionably it has been the dominating influence in world civilization. In many instances the Bible has been greatly abused. Like a two-edged sword, it cuts both ways; and if not dextrously handled it will injure all who toy with its sacred contents. This is not the fault of the Bible. Any instrument that is capable of doing great good is capable of doing great harm. Decidedly, the automobile is a step forward, although it has killed and maimed more than a million people in the United States in the past ten years. We must not charge the abuse of the Bible to Book itself. The good that it has done in the world far outweights the evil, consequent upon its abuse, that we shall concern ourselves only with this phase.
Any definition that we may give to “civilization” will be liable to criticism. Civilization is metamorphic and progressive. Its meaning differs from age to age. The highest type of civilization can never be attained short of universal Christianity. Until denominational barriers have been broken down, selfishness, greed, and crime have been eradicated, and the love of Christ rules the hearts and lives of men, civilization will be short of its goal. We can only assign to it, therefore, a relative value. Civilization is the ability to live together, with a knowledge and appreciation of the past, and a determination to preserve and improve the values bequeath ed by history. It holds the past in the present and looks to the future. It organizes the intelligent and social side of life and utilizes all the advantages gained. In no case does the civilization of a people rise above its religion. To a large extent the religion of a people make its civilization. In a lecture of this length we can only touch on a few of the more prominent fields wherein the Bible has influenced civilization. In doing so we shall necessarily have to notice some phases that are somewhat hackneyed.
1. Painting. A casual survey of the great paintings of the world will readily show the influence which the Bible has exerted in this field. Painting was early brought into use by the Christians as is evidenced among the catacombs at Rome. Immediately preceding the Renaissance the paintings were almost wholly religious. We later turn to such works as Da Vinci’s “Last Supper,” Raphael’s “Sistine Madonna,” and the “Transfiguration,” Ruben’s “Descent from the Cross,” Michelangelo’s “Moses,” and the more numerous works of Rembrandt.
2. Music. If we were to completely remove the influence of music there would be relatively little left of value. The greatest composers of the world, such as Palestrina, Bach, Handel, Hayden, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Beethoven got their inspiration for the Sacred Writings. But through the more numerous, though less famous, composers who have produced that great wealth of church hymns that have lived and blessed the world for centuries, the Bible has wielded an even greater influence upon mankind.
3. Learning. In the fifth century an alphabet was created for the Armenians in order that the Bible might be translated into their language. The same has been true among other people, notably among the Indians of this country. Our free schools were born of a desire to teach the Scriptures to the children. Until recent years the classical languages were given first place in all the schools so that the Bible might be studied in the original. All our older institutions of learning were begun as church schools.
4. Printing. The inventing of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg is a familiar story. The fact that the Bible was the first book printed is sufficient proof of the demand for it. Without attempting to trace the history of printing and its revolutionary effects upon the world, let me remind you that it was the Bible that trained the first printers and translators, thereby producing a phenomenal influence upon civilization.
5. Architecture. Ruskin said, “Every great national architecture has been the result and exponent of a great religion.” Other religions, to be sure, have inspired architecture, but none has inspired ideals that are as universal and as readily adaptable as the Christian religion. The Greek architects produced some noble pieces of work but they were not suitable for church without some marked modifications. Gradually the church developed its own architectural ideals, which reached the climax in the Gothic structures.
6. Language and Literature. The writing of the New Testament in the koine Greek did more to stabilize and immortalize the Greek language than any other factor. Luther’s translation of the Bible served to unify the numerous dialects spoken in Germany. The translation of the Bible into the English was a dominant force in stabilizing and strengthening the language. The King James Version particularly gave to it more strength and vigor than any other force could possibly have done. Not only has the translation of the Bible molded the language of the writers but it has shaped the thoughts and sentiments. One cannot read any of the best known works of the German, French, Spanish, English, or American writers without noticing the influence Holy Writ has exerted upon them. A mere glance at the works of such men as Dante, Goethe, Shakespeare, Browning, Wordsworth, Milton, Tennyson, Bryant, Whittier, and Ruskin will clearly reveal this fact.
7. Dramatics. All our plays and dramas are the outgrowth of the early miracle plays. The setting of the stage, the characters, the plot, the theme, all grew from the Bible stories and incidents. The great Passion Play at Oberammergau is but a retention and development of the early plays in Western civilization. The most famous of all plays produced in this country in recent years is Green Pastures, an interpretation of the Bible story of creation and redemption by the Negro race. Our best advertized and best attended picture shows, such as “The Ten Commandments” “The King of Kings,” “Ben Hur,” “Quo Vadis,” etc. were inspired by the Bible.
8. Abolition of Slavery. Although the abolition of slavery came late in the history of our civilization, its final achievement may be definitely traced to the influence of the Bible. Reluctance to surrender such a profitable business greatly retarded the movement; nevertheless it came. Christ’s value of the individual finally aroused the conscience of the race to the extent that slavery could no longer continue. Paul told Philemon to receive Onesimus, a former slave, as a brother. “In Christ Jesus,” he argued, “there is neither bond nor free.”
9. Liberation of Woman. The liberation of woman is a familiar story. Where is Bible has not yet gone the position of woman is still very inferior. But Christ’s value of the individual elevated woman in Christian lands from the very beginning. In this connection Paul further contended, “There is neither male nor female.” Centuries before the birth of Christianity the position of woman among the Hebrews was far above that of any of the pagans.
10. Infanticide. Until after the beginning of the twentieth century, when they were forbidden by the British Government, the Hindus sacrificed their children to the crocodiles to appease their gods. Infanticide has been generally practised by all the less civilized nations. Christ put a definite value upon child life by His attitude toward children. He was never too busy to take them into his arms and bless them. He taugth that only by humbling oneself as a little child could one enter His kingdom.
11. Sorcery. The Bible has always condemned magic, sorcery, witchcraft, and other forms of deception. When the Ephesians were converted to Christianity they burned their books on magic, which were valued at “more than fifty thousand pieces' of silver.” We have always had deceivers who “amaze the people,” giving out that they themselves are “great.” Such deceptions, however, are greatly minimized in all Bible lands. Science claims the credit oftentimes for the achievements of Holy Writ.
12. Dates and Customs. The influence of the Bible has been very pronounced in the marking of time and events. To the Israelites God said. “And thou shalt remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and Jehovah thy God brought thee out thence by a mighty hand and outstretched arm: Therefore Jehovah thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath.” In compliance with this command, the Jews for fifteen hundred years scrupulously observed the Sabbath in commemoration of their national deliverance from Egyptian bondage. When Jesus died on the cross He abrogated the Jewish Sabbath and gave us a new day—the day which He triumphed o’er the grave—which signified not national deliverance but deliverance from the powers of Death. The early church was accustomed to meet upon this day—the first day of the week to engage in social worship. As Judiasm gradually died out and Christianity became the prevailing religion the observance of the old Sabbath passed and the first day of the week was observed as a day sacred for worship.
Other dates have become notable in Christian lands, particularly Christmas and Easter. Although lacking authority from the Bible they depend wholly upon the Bible for their value. The pre-Christmas and pre-Easter seasons are always rush seasons in business and social lines. While speaking of dates it will suffice merely to call attention to our calendar. In all Christian lands time is reckoned from the beginning of the Christian era.
13. Civil Law. We shall never be able to tell how far the Bible has influenced legislation and court proceedings. It has exerted both a direct and indirect influence. In all probabiliy it has carried more weight than the Justinian code. How far the Mosaic law influenced the heathen nations we are unable to say. We are quite certain, however, that the Chaldeans, Medo-Persions, and the Greeks were all effected by it. The principles set forth in the Word of God were factors in the shaping of all laws after the nominal Christianization of the Homan empire. Alfred the Great was influenced more by the Mosaic code than by the Justinian in the formative period of the English laws. In the Puritan age, under Cromwell’s rule, all legislation was patterned after the Hebrew code. John Calvin was completely wedded to the law of Moses in shap- Geneva’s civil code. The same was true with John Knox of Scotland. Blackstone said, “An enactment is not a law when it conflicts with the law of God.”
14. Travel From the very beginning the land of the Bible has had a special attraction for travelers. Thousands of people visit the Holy Land every year because of its association with the Bible. In the Middle Ages a number of “crusades” were made to Jerusalem to capture “the holy sepulchre.” The Bible, however, has inspired travel in a different way to this. When Jesus said to His disciples, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature,” that little word “go” had a far-reaching effect. There is hardly a spot upon the globe where missionaries have not gone in obedience to this command. It prompted David Livingstone to explore the dark regions of Africa. The missionaries of Africa, India, and the Oriental countries did more than all the other agencies combined in opening up commerce. A notable member of the Royal Asiatic Society once said, “The missionary appears to me to be the highest type of human excellence in the nineteenth century, and his profession to be the noblest. He has the enterprise of the merchant, without the narrow desire for gain; the dauntlessness of the soldier, without the necessity of shedding of blood; the zeal of the geographical explorer, but for a higher motive than science.”
15. Industry. In proportion to other improvements made, business and commerce have likewise improved. Agricultural methods are still very crude in the lands where the Bible is not accepted. The Bible not only inspires man to more business but to better and sounder business methods. Some years
ago Roger Babson delivered a series of lectures on business to a group of the leading business men of Memphis, Tennessee. In his first address he declared emphatically that it was impossible to build up a successful business' in disregard of the principles taught by the Master. Experience shows that the oldest and most reliable business firms are those that have adhered closest to the teachings of Jesus.
16. Standards of Living. It is a well known fact that the standards of living have been greatly improved in the land of Bibles. Working conditions are much better, houses are better, and greater conveniences are enjoyed in every line.
These facts are tremendously important, but they are incomparable to the influence of the Bible upon the lives of men. In order that we may better appreciate this sublime truth let us take a sweeping view of the immoral conditions that prevailed when Christianity was born. Social caste dominated all nations. Education and individual merit had little weight. The traffic in slavery exceeded that of the automobile business today. The Romans held so many slaves that they were “slave poor.” Avarice, greed, and ambition possessed the hearts of all. The pagan religions had become nothing more than empty forms and ceremonies. Their gods1 were neither feared nor revered. Epicureanism—“Eat, drink and be merry” —was the prevailing philosophy. All of the ruling class from the emperor down attended the Bacchanalian feasts, where the women threw off their clothing and their modesty, and the men gave themselves over to all forms of revelry and debauchery. A man might divorce his wife for burning his1 toast. Some women had more husbands than the years of their life. Gladiatorial contests were the most ordinary forms of amusement; “sham” battles, wherein thousands were sometimes, killed, were fought upon artificial lakes to amuse the spectators. The value of human life was regarded as no more than that of an ox. No blacker picture of the evils of any age has ever been painted that that portrayed by Paul in the first chapter of Romans. “Because that, knowing God, ”he says, “they glorified Him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of an incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and of four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
“Wherefore,” he continues, “God gave them up in the lust of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves; for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator.
“For this cause,” he goes on, “God gave them up unto vile passions; for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature; and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves the recompense of their error whioh was due.” Because of such vile practices God had rained fire and brimstone down upon the ancient city of Sodom two millenniums before. But let the Apostle finish the picture.
“Even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up to a reprobate mind, to do those things* which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, deceit, malignity, whisperers, back-biters, hateful to God. insolent, haunty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful; who knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them.”
Here Paul declares three different times that “God gave them up.” He “gave them up in the lust of their hearts to uncleanness.” He “gave them up unto vile passions.” He “gave them up unto a rebrobate mind.” This explains why the Gentile world had been left “without God and without hope.” It is an awful state when people become so vile that God withdraws His restraining influence and gives them up to degrade their bodies1 together with all their faculties. But this is the condition that had been reached by the Gentile nations when Jesus came. To “redeem” such a world was the stupendous task laid upon Him. To our finite minds it would seem an impossibility; yet within three centuries Christ’s teaching had changed the whole face of the earth. Kings, queens, emperors, and potentates of the highest rank had bowed to His authority.
Since the earliest writings of the Scriptures appeared nations have risen and fallen, languages have changed, different standards of civilization have come and gone; but the Bible has survived every age and every change and has definitely left its mark upon them all. First, the Chaldean empire rose to great heights only to perish forever from the face of the earth; next came the Medo-Persian, which soon followed in the way; then came the Grecian empire, which lasted for only a brief period and went the way of all the earth. Upon the ruins of these fallen kingdoms mighty Rome arose with great glory and splendor. It was while this, the greatest of all kingdoms, was in the zenith of her power that the last book of the Bible was finished. For two and one half centuries, from the time of Nero Caesar to Diocletian, all the powers of Rome were marshalled in the hands of the pagan emperors to stamp out the Book of God and forever destroy its influence. Early in the fourth century, however, the powers of Rome were overcome by that which they had sought to destroy.
After the state had smiled upon the church, the “Dark Ages” and the great apostasy soon followed. It was during this period that the Bible suffered its hardest blow. Yet, after being "“chained to the pulpit” for nearly a thousand years, it sprang forth with new triumphs and greater laurels. Other nations rose to power as Spain, France, Germany, England, and our own native land. Meantime the Bible has encountered other forces. During the French Revolution the Atheists tied the Bible to the tail of an ass, set a harlot upon the beast for a rider, and dragged the Sacred Book out of the city and buried it. They then set up the Goddess of Reasorf and shouted from the housetop that the Bible was dead and forever buried. But their boastful insults quickly crumbled, like charred paper. Evolution next tried its hand. Then came the age of higher criticism. Only in the past decade have we begun to turn back this latest assult. In every conflict many of the friends of the Bible have become alarmed and numbers have deserted to the ranks of the foe, but from every struggle it has triumphed with colors streaming. In a recent issue of the Good Housekeeping magazine, Dr. Frederick K. Stamm has an article entitled “The Lost Bible.” He would have us not only think that no one believes the Bible any more, but that it no longer exerts an influence upon the lives of men. True, it is not as universally heeded as it should be, but let no one become despondent and give up the fight. The Bible still lives and exerts an influence upon millions of the most highly civilized people of the world. Let me say by the way of encouragement to all, and to you students in particular, be not afraid. Long after you have passed to the great beyond the Bible will still mold the thoughts and lives of men and women.
What works of infidelity have survived to bless the world i What works of any writers have lived to bless the world, except as they depend upon the Bible for their life and value? Look at the works of Budda and Confucius. They passed their time of usefulness centuries ago. Take Mohammedanism: it has shackled Turkey for a thousand years. But the Bible, unlike other worKs, holds not the seeds of decay but of progress. In the language of Peter, it “lives and abides forever.” The final test of any work is its fruits. “By their fruits ye shall know them ... A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.” A comparison of the fruits of the Bible with the fruits of infidelity will at once convince any thinking man of the superi-ority of God’s Word. Infidelity has no organized plan of benevolence, such as our hospitals and orphan homes; it has never explored a new country, or carried a vestige of light to those who sit in darkness. It has never saved a soul from sin and death. Its only gospel is the gospel of suicide. It is the fountain of lawlessness, of vice and crime. It breeds all the evils known to the human family. It would destroy our homes, wreck our churches, and overthrow our government;, it would turn them all over to the racketeers, whiskey brewers, smut dealers and anarchists. Licentiousnesss, greed, vice, and all the evils of tyranny would be substituted for the achievements of the Bible. The friends of the Sacred Book have not always been as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves, but the Bible is not responsible for the apostasies and perversions of men, or for the weakness of the human family. On the contrary, it has done more to eliminate ignorance, malice, greed, and selfishness than any other force in the world. It has lifted man up mentally, physically, and spiritually. If it be not inspired from God there is no dependence to be put in history; there is no sincerity in martyrdom; no excellency in truth; vice is the mother of virtue; we may gather grapes of thorns and figs of thistles; there is no reason in the universe; creation is without a plan; and nature labors in vain.