The influences of bible on english culture正文.doc

The Influences of Bible on English Culture1. Introduction In western countries, Christianity is the main type of religion. With the world widely spread, Christianity acts an enormous impact on western culture. The influences of the Bible are world-wide. Its mighty power has affected every department of human activity. The contents of the Scriptures have supplied themes for the greatest poets, artists and musicians, and have been the mightiest factor of all in shaping the moral progress of the race. Let us consider a few examples of the Bibles influences as displayed in the various realms of human enterprise. This article expounds the influences of the Bible on the English culture from several aspects.2. A general study of the Bible Knowledge of the Bible is a prerequisite to understand English culture.What exactly The Bible is? The explanation in the encyclopedia is “Bible, term used since the fourth century to denote the Christian Scriptures and later, by extension, those of various religious traditions. This article discusses the nature of religious scripture generally and the Christian Scriptures specifically, as well as the history of the translation of the Bible into English. For the composition and the canon of the Hebrew and Christian Bible, see Old Testament; New Testament; Apocrypha.”2.1 The history of how the Bible createdChristianity started in the middle of the 1st century AD, it originated from the earliest religion which Hebrew established of the worldJudaism, the Christianity admitted and continued to use Judaisms religion idea, and developed it on this foundation. Except accepting Jehovah as God, the Christianity also believes Savior is the name of Gods son, a name of Jesus Christ who was sent by God to save the people. Christians take the words recorded that how Christianity spread and develop into the New Testament. The combination of the New Testament and the scripture of Judaism” Old Testament” became the sacred writings of Christianity“Holy Bible”. During 4th century AD, the Roman Empire s Constantine made the Christianity as the nations religion, since that, Christianity started to spread all over the European area. Pope Damascus I assembled the first list of books of the Bible at the Council of Rome in 382 AD. He commissioned Saint Jerome to produce a reliable and consistent text by translating the original Greek and Hebrew texts into Latin. This translation became known as the Latin Vulgate Bible and in 1546 at the Council of Trent was declared by the Church to be the only authentic and official Bible in the Latin rite.2.2 The versions and translations of the BibleThe Bible is often described as the greatest book ever written. This is because of its unending significance and influences on people throughout the ages. No other book in history has impacted peoples and cultures like the Bible. So far, the Bible has been translated into 2,018 languages and every year more copies of the Bible are sold than any other single book. In scholarly writing, ancient translations are frequently referred to as versions, with the term translation being reserved for medieval or modern translations. The Bible versions are discussed below, while The Bible translations can be found on a separate page.The Christian Bible consists of the Hebrew Scriptures, which have been called the Old Testament, and some later writings known as the New Testament. The original texts of the Bible were in Hebrew, although some portions were in Aramaic. There are several different ancient versions of the Bible in Hebrew, mostly differing by spelling, and the traditional Jewish version is based on the version known as Old Testament. The primary biblical text for early Christians was the Septuagint. In addition, they translated the Hebrew Bible into several other languages. Translations were made into Syria, Coptic, Greek, Latin, and other languages. The Latin translations were historically the most important in the West, while the Greek-speaking Countries continued to use the Septuagint translations of the Old Testament and retain the New Testament.The earliest Latin translation was the Old Latin text, or Vetus Latin, which seems to have been made by several authors over a period of time. The Bible translations for many languages have been made through the various influences of Catholicism, Orthodox, Protestant, especially since the Protestant Reformation. The Bible has seen a notably large number of English language translations. The work of The Bible translation continues, including by Christian organizations such as Wycliffe Bible Translators, New Tribes Missions and the Bible Societies. Of the worlds 6,900 languages, 2,400 have some or the entire Bible, 1,600 (spoken by more than a billion people) has translation underway.2.3 The main formations of the BibleThe Bible as we know it today is divided into two main sections or collections of books called the Old Testament and the New Testament. The word testament literally means something that serves as proof or a personal witness either verbally or written. So these testaments are the writings of people and the recordings of events that serve as proof. The climax or pinnacle of the Bible is Jesus - Gods coming to earth as a man (incarnate). The Old Testament is the history of Gods work through the nation of Israel (or the Hebrew people) to the world in preparation for Jesus. The New Testament is the witness of Jesus coming life, teachings, work, and the ramifications of these to the people of that time and in the future till the end of time. The bible was written from 50 A.D. or so and was completed in the second century. The origins and formations of the Bible, Testaments, and books included are covered in detail in the specific Testament sections. The writers of the books of the Bible were just ordinary humans, but it is the historic Christian belief, that they wrote under the influences of the Holy Spirit, that is under inspiration. This inspiration factor makes the Bible different from any other book that exists - past, present or future. It therefore bears unlimited importance for us to study and understand. Although many other books existed at that time，the Bible books were still the main choice of people . Persons spiritually guided by the Holy Spirit chose the book. This enabled them to choose what was spiritually true and what was false and therefore should or should not be included as scripture. The collection of books recognized as authoritative and divinely inspired, were canonized. Canon is a Greek word which means rule or measuring line. The books that passed the canon were considered scripture. Other books that did not pass the canon, may be of interest to read, and suitable for learning, but are not regarded as on the same level as Biblical or canonical books in that they carry no authority. 3. The influences of the Bible on English cultureWhen the Bibles influences are profound in a society, it will affect all aspects of that culture in a positive way. How we dress, what we eat, what music we listen to, and what we choose for entertainment, are all reflections of how strongly the Bible affects our lives. The idea of the Bible has become firmly established in western society today. This influence has been demonstrated in all aspects of their daily life. It is considered as an important source of western language culture as well as a classical religious masterpiece. Just like how Confucius philosophy and works has affects Chineses ideas profoundly, the Bible is a foundation of ideas and principles upon which western society rests. For hundreds of years, the Bible has been penetrated deeply into western families daily life, and became the rules of peoples life. The Bible has shaped not only religious thought, but also politics, law, education, literature, culture,flavored English language with words and phrases etc. Indeed, for Americans of many denominations, the Bible was considered as the wellspring of national mythology, as the prevailing biblical stories and imagery spread with the change of time and circumstance.3.1 The influences of the Bible on Ceremony English countries are Christian countries, both presidents and farmers go to the church every weekend. Almost all the important ceremony is held in a Christian way. Its safe to say that all the ceremonies are originated from the Bible, Such as, wedding, funeral and so on. In many countries of the western world, newly-born babies usually received the baptism. The parents bring the babies to the church, or invite the pastors to their home, to hold a simple and solemn ceremony. After the pastor chanted the scripture of the Bible, he gently sprays water on the head of the baby, saying: “I baptize you in the name of the Father, and the son, and of the Holy Spirit”.3.1.1 Wedding Ceremony:Weddings are treated as a big occasion. The Bible reputes that marriage is an eternal relationship. In The Bible it is described like this, “the Lord God said: it is not good for the man to be alone I will make a suitable partner for him” (Genesis 2:18). God thinks Adam is lonely when he was alone, so he took one of Adams ribs and creates Eva with it. Adam said: “This one, at last is bone of my bones, and fresh of my fresh.-(Genesis 2:23-24)”. Husband and wife is no longer two people, but one. Christianity holds that, marriage is matched by God, and marriage should be founded on the reverence of God. People should worship God in marriage and family life. Therefore, wedding is one of the most important ceremonies of English countries. So all close families and friends would be invited to the church to witness this stately moment. With the holy music going on, the bride in a long white wedding dress and white veil takes her fathers right arm walks to the altar. And the vicar asks her father: “Who gives this woman to this man?” Brides father gives her daughters right hand to the vicar, and then vicar give this hand to the groom. The vicar may say: “Bride/groom, are you here to ask Groom to be your partner, your lover, your friend and your husband/wife? Do you intend to give him your deepest friendship and love, not only when you are feeling bright and alive, but also when you are feeling down? Not only when you remember clearly that you are a manifestation of God, but even in those times when you forget? Do you announce before God and those here present that you will seek always to see the Light of Divinity within Groom/bride, and seek always to share the Light of Divinity within you?”The bride/groom may say: I do.The bride and groom say their vows and rings are exchanged. The vows always go like this: I, Groom, take you, Bride, to be my wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, or for worse, for richer, or for poorer, in sickness, and in health, to love and to honor and to cherish unconditionally. Forsaking all others, I will be faithful to you. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.The weddings always appear as the most complicated ceremony. There is often a party coming after the ceremony. People nowadays hire professional company to hold their weddings.3.1.2 The ceremony of Christian death and burialThe same as the funeral, it also has a strong Christian flavor. Christians believe that when someone dies, they are judged by God. The righteous go to Heaven and the sinners go to Hell. Christians believe that Hell is the separation from the love of God:“They shall suffer the punishment of eternal destruction and exclusion from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified by his saints.2 Thessalonians 1:9-10”When a Christian dies, it is seen as the end of his/her life on earth. A funeral is held for friends and family to grieve for the person who died and give thanks for their life. If someone is on their deathbed, a minister will prepare them for death. This is most likely after a long period of illness. Prayers of preparation and reconciliation may be said, with only the minister in the room. Family and friends can participate in the Lords Prayer, the Word of God and Holy Communion. Often, the funeral is held about a week after ones death. It can either take place in a church or at a crematorium. The Gathering: the priest will open the service with this reading from the scriptures:I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.I know that my Redeemer liveth.Book of Common Prayer 1979Readings and sermon: a psalm from the Bible is read out. It is often Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepherd. Verses from the Old or New Testament are also read. Personal readings: The priest will talk about the person who died. This can be quite a personal section, reflecting on the persons life and their role in the Christian church. A family member or friend may wish to read out a poem or a passage from the Bible. Prayers: prayers of thanksgiving, penitence and readiness for death are said. Reflection: Silent time for reflection. The congregation is given a minute to reflect on the deceased. Commendation and farewell: The priest speaks these words: Let us commend (the persons name) to the mercy of God, our maker and redeemer. The priest then reads a prayer of entrusting and commending. The committal: this is probably the most solemn moment of the service. At a burial, this is when the coffin is lowered into the grave. At a cremation, the curtains are closed around the coffin. We therefore commit (his or her) body to the ground; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; in the sure and certain hope of the Resurrection to eternal life.There may also be a selection of hymns which are sung throughout the service.Some parishes still have space for burials. The burial follows a church service and the family and friends of the deceased gather round the grave for the Committal. It is tradition to throw some dust/mud onto the coffin. A short prayer will be said by the minister. For those who wish to be cremated, the body is taken to a crematorium, where it is burned. At the point of Committal, the curtains close around the coffin. The ashes are put into an urn and given to the family, who may choose to keep them or scatter them in a place that was meaningful to the deceased.3.2 The influences of the Bible on FestivalIn English countries, many festivals are closely related to Christianity. Easter and Christmas are the main religious festivals of the Christian Year. Most people in England celebrate Christmas and Easter. School children have two weeks off school during Christmas and Easter. Most of the festivals are come from the Bible and extensively affected by it. 3.2.1 The influences of the Bible on Sunday Take Sunday for example. As Sunday is the very common holiday that now it is spreading around the world. Sunday were mentioned many times in the Bible. Sunday is come from the Sabbath. In Hebrew, Sabbath means to rest. The Christians believe that: God has made people a promise of rest but it is up to people to claim it. In the Bible God tells people there are certain things they must do before they can enter His rest. The Sabbath days were just a shadow of our true rest, Jesus Christ. Only Christ can save our soul and give us rest.Jesus Christ has become our Sabbath and people can have a rest every weekend of the week if people want. People need to have faith, an open mind and work to get Gods rest. Read Gods word and claim the promise of rest that God made to us. If you would like to set aside a day of the week to do this, there is nothing wrong with that. But remember that mankind gave the days of the week, not God. Also, with God a day is a thousand years, so saying a certain day is the Sabbath just doesnt work. People use Sabbath as Sunday today. 3.2.2 The influences of the Bible on ChristmasSince about 400 AD, Christians have celebrated the birth of Jesus. Christ means Messiah or Anointed One - the title given to Jesus - and Mass was a religious festival. Christmas is a wonderful time of year. In many countries of the world, the celebration of Christmas on December 25th is a high point of the year. Christmas is a very special time for Christians, it is a time of celebration. According to the record of the Bible, Jesus is Gods son, he is given the birth by Saint Mary. For commemorating Jesus birth, Christianity decided December 25th as the Christmas. Christmas is the biggest festival that all sorts of groups of Christianity celebrate. December 24th is called Christmas Eve. Christians hold the firmed belief that Christmas is the day that Christ was born. Thats how Christmas comes. But the real Christmas story is found in the Christian Bible. It is told in two different books: Matthew and Luke chapters 1 and 2. Christians believed that it was exactly Gods plan that things happened in this way. They say that it shows that Jesus came as a humble, poor person and not as a strong, rich king. They also claim that the birth of Jesus was told many years before the event was written in the books of the prophets. Five hundred years ago, the prophet Micah had said, But you Bethlehem, though you are small, out of you will come for me, one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. The prophet Isaiah had written, A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King Davids successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end