For the past fifty years some who disbelieve and despise the Bible have made a concerted effort to remove its influence from our culture. No more Bible reading in school. No more posting of the Ten Commandments in the courtroom. No Scripture references in political debates. No Christmas dramas portraying the story of the baby Jesus to Kindergartners because, after all, that would be a violation of the separation of church and state.
But since (according to President John Adams) this nation was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, the Bible is so much a part of the fabric of America that trying to remove it altogether is like trying to strip seven layers of wallpaper off the plaster of an old house. Scripture verses are etched on the stone walls of public buildings that are now historical landmarks. The Bible is quoted frequently in the early documents of our founding fathers and Biblical references permeate the congressional record, judicial decisions and the educational system.
The Bible is so much a part of our culture that it’s impossible to erase it altogether no matter how hard some skeptics may try. For example, have you ever thought about the Biblical language that’s ingrained in our everyday speech? Listed below are a few familiar phrases that are used everyday that have their origin in the Word of God.
“Eat, drink and be merry” (Luke 12:19)
“Scapegoat” (Lev. 16:10)
“Fat of the land” (Gen 45:18)
“Wolf in sheep’s clothing” (Matt. 7:15)
“The skin of my teeth” (Job 19:20)
“An eye for an eye” (Lev. 24:19)
“Fire and brimstone” (Gen 19:24)
“The blind leading the blind” (Matt 15:14)
“Can a leopard change his spots?” (Jer 13:23)
“Feet of clay” (Dan 2)
“My brother’s keeper” (Gen. 4:9)
“Thorn in one’s side” (2 Cor. 12:7-9)
“Keeping the faith” (2 Tim 4:7)
“Salt of the earth” (Matt 5:13)
“Handwriting on the wall” (Dan. 5:5)
“Forbidden fruit” (Gen 2:17)
“Sweating blood” (Luke 22:44)
“Drop in the bucket” (Isaiah 40:15)
“Holier than thou” (Isa 65:2-5 KJV)
“Land of milk and honey” (Exo. 3:8)
“Lamb to the slaughter” (Isa 53:7)
“We reap what we sow” (Gal 6;7)
“Pride goes before a fall” (Prov. 16:18)
“Fly in the ointment” (Eccles 10:1)
“Faith to move mountains” (Matt. 17:20)
“Armageddon” (Rev. 16:14-16)
“Sabbatical” (Lev. 25)
“Don’t judge!” (Matt. 7:1)
“Let him without sin cast the first stone”. (John 8:7)
If those who seek to eliminate Bible references succeed, “May heaven help us!” But they won’t. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth may pass away but my word will never pass away.” Skeptics pass away but, “… the Word of the Lord endures forever”. And that’s the truth. If the Lord hadn’t commanded us not to swear at all, “I’d swear it on a stack of Bibles!”
