How the Bible shaped (and shapes) Western culture

Like it or not, the Bible has profoundly shaped Western civilization: its language, literature, laws, and moral imagination. Even in today’s secular age, echoes of Scripture remain embedded in culture, often in ways people don’t recognize.

John Barton, a distinguished Anglican biblical scholar and former professor at Oxford, explores this enduring influence in his scholarly research, A History of the Bible​. His work provides a historical and critical examination of how the Bible has been read, interpreted, and integrated into society over millennia.

The Bible’s impact on literature and language is immense. Countless phrases — ”by the skin of my teeth” (Job 19:20), “a thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12:7), “the powers that be” (Romans 13:1) — originate from Scripture​. The King James Bible, in particular, shaped English prose with its poetic and memorable phrasing, influencing writers from Milton and Blake to modern authors like T.S. Eliot.

Barton notes that even secular literary figures such as Philip Pullman and Richard Dawkins recognize the Bible’s cultural weight, despite their skepticism toward its religious claims​. The Bible’s stories and metaphors — David vs. Goliath, the Good Samaritan, the Prodigal Son — are so ingrained in Western thought that they transcend religious belief.

The Bible provided a foundational ethical code that shaped Western legal systems. Barton discusses how the moral teachings of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament influenced everything from laws against murder and theft (Exodus 20) to the principles of justice and charity​.

Democratic ideals also owe something to Scripture. The prophets of Israel, who spoke truth to power, provided an early model of moral accountability for rulers. The New Testament’s emphasis on caring for the poor and the dignity of every human being inspired social reformers from William Wilberforce (who fought against slavery) to Martin Luther King Jr.​.

Western art and music owe much to biblical themes. The Renaissance produced masterpieces like Michelangelo’s David and Da Vinci’s Last Supper. Composers like Bach and Handel infused their music with biblical narratives, with Messiah (1741) remaining one of the most performed oratorios of all time.

Even in today’s secular entertainment, the Bible remains a touchstone. Hollywood films regularly adapt biblical stories, and popular culture continues to draw on its imagery. Advertisers use references to Adam and Eve, the Exodus, or the concept of a promised land, demonstrating how deeply these narratives are embedded in the cultural consciousness​.

Barton acknowledges that biblical literacy is declining in much of the Western world. However, he argues that the Bible’s influence is far from disappearing — it is simply changing. In the U.S., the Bible continues to shape political rhetoric and social values more than in Europe​. Even in largely secular societies, biblical ethics and narratives remain foundational to discussions of justice, human rights, and morality.

As Barton’s work illustrates, the Bible is not just a religious text; it is a cultural cornerstone. Whether one sees it as divine revelation or historical literature, its impact on Western civilization is undeniable.