What Does Christianity Effect on Western Culture?
What Does Christianity Effect on Western Culture?
What Does Christianity Effect On Western Culture?
Christianity, which religion includes the largest numbers of people in the world, is originated from East while lots of people think it is just a big part of western culture. Every phase of man’s life is touched by this religion, so much so that it has become part and parcel of Western culture. There is no doubt that Christianity influences Western Culture more than any other culture. It says that if people do not know about Christianity, they wouldn’t know Western Culture.
1. Holy Bible
Bible, which is the basic scriptures of Christianity, is the best book, which influences western literature, outlook on life and value of people. It is a collection of religious writings comprising two parts: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament is about God, history and the oath between God and men, which was written in Hebrew. The New Testament is about Jesus Christ and doctrine of Him, which was written in Greek. The word “Testament” means “ agreement ”. Even till now, Bible is the most popular book from the beginning. In the history of human beings, there is no more book can ever compare with Bible that can influence mankind so much. Bible tells us that God created the universe, sun, earth, moon, stars, animals, and human. Adam and Eve, the first man and the first women in the world ate the fruit, which was forbidden. Human have deficits to God’s glory. God drove them our of Eden. They started their hard life. During these times, the first murder happened. Lots of bad things occur afterworlds. God wanted to destroy everything, but Noah was a follower, God asked him to make an ark. And he lived. We are all sinners. It is not because we kill somebody or break the law but it is something from origin. Death is the punishment of our sins. Only if we believe the name of the son of God-Jesus who died for all human on the cross, we can have eternal life. This is the only way to lead us to Heaven, or we will go to the hell. Jesus Christ is the Only Lord and Savior. Bible also predicts the future of the world- Jesus Christ will come back, and there will be the end of the world.
2. The Influence of Western Culture
2.1 Literature
Language is a big part of culture. Take language as an example, we can see some English Idioms are originated from Bible. People are very familiar with “ Eden”, “Noah’s ark”, “Forbidden fruit”, “Judas’ kiss” and so on.
2.1.1 “ Bear one’s cross” is from Mark 8:34-35. Jesus told Peter: “If a man wishes to come after with me, he must deny his very self, take up his cross, and follow in my steps”. He told his disciples that if they decided to follow Him, they would suffer and have pains in the world. So “bear one’s cross” means bear burden or sorrow or pain or even lie down one’s life for others.
2.1.2 “ narrow gate” is from Matthew7: 13-14. Jesus said “ Enter through the narrow gate. The gate that leads to damnation is wide, the road is clear, and many choose to travel it. But how narrow is the gate that leads to life, how rough the road, and how few there are who find it! ” Therefore, narrow gate stands for the gate of eternal life and right way.
These are just a few examples and in the modern English, there are about 500 idioms from Bible. Also there are lots of proverbs from Bible.
2.1.3 “ There is no greater love than this that a person can lay down his life for his friend”. “ The love of money is the root of all evil”. “ Man can’t live by bread alone”. “While we have the opportunity, let us do good to all men”. “If a house is divided against itself, that house can’t stand”. “Pride goes before destruction”. “You shall not steal, you shall not lie or speak falsely to one another”. “Turn from evil, and do good; seek peace and follow after it”.
These idioms and proverbs are always in English and they will never be old-fashioned. They rooted in English and enriched English.
2.2 Art and music
2.2.1 Art
Many people know about the picture “the last supper” which is also based on the Christianity. And it was before Judas betrayed on Jesus, Jesus already knew everything and he said: “ One of you will betray me”. He also gave a new commandment “ You love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have loved one to another”.
2.2.2 Music
There are lots of different