基督教对英语文化的影响论文(英文版)

[作者简介]李若白,男,内蒙古农业大学外国语学院助教; 贾婧杨,女,内蒙古农业大学外国语学院助教。

The I nfluence That Christi a nity Bri n gs Upon English Language○L iRuobai,J ia J ingyang(Foreign L anguage College,InnerM ongolia A gricu ltura l U niversity,Hohhot,InnerM ongolia,010020)　[Abstract]　To know the hist ory of English language is unlikely without bringing the influence of Christianity int oconsiderati on .I n each stage of English,Christianity has its distinctive i m pact upon the devel opment of English .Three ele 2ments are t o be considered in this thesis:the influence of Latin,B ible and translati on upon English language .　[Key words]　B ible;　Latin;　English hist ory　[中图分类号]I 31019 [文献标识码]A [文章编号]167228610(2009)0720067202I .I n troducti on“The diversity of cultures that find exp ressi on in it is a re 2m inder that the hist ory of English is a st ory of culture in contactduring the past 1,500years .”[1]1The English language we s peak t oday went thr ough three stages,namely,O ld English,M iddle English and Modern English .I f we l ook back t o the hist ory of English,it would be certain t o say that many ele ments have hel ped t o shape the language;but one ele ment that is s o crucial that we should pay s pecial attenti on t o is the influence of Christianity .One can see the distinctive i m pact that Christianity brings t o English in different peri od of language devel opment .W e shall go thr ough three as pects of these influences .Firstly,the effect that Christianitys bring t o old English,which can be called Latin influence;secondly,we shall have a revie w of the hist ory of B ible translati on,which is the ti m e that English gain its positi on as modern language;at lastwe shall see the influence of B ible in common saying and literature,which can show the p r of ound i m pact that Christianity bring t o English language .Ⅱ.The i n fluence of Chr isti a n ity on O ld EnglishThe English language of t oday reflects many centuries of de 2vel opment .Nor mally we call the English of Angl o -Saxon peri od O ld English .The influence of Christianity at that ti m e can be called Latin influence .W e can find much evidence in words bor 2r owing and literary works .“The Roman Christianizing of B ritain in 597br ought England int o contact with Latin civilizati on andmade significant additi ons t o our vocabulary .”[1]2I n the p r ocess of Christianizing of B ritain,monks bring the gos pel t ogether with Latin culture int o English language .The Christian m issi onaries br ought the Latin al phabet int o B ritain,which has re mained the writing syste m of the English language .I n this p r ocess,Latin as the language of the services and of ecclesiastical learning was fre 2quently used in England .It is not hard t o i m agine many Latinwords were intr oduced int o English .On the one hand,manyEnglish words for church p ractice can find it origin in Latin .“Church ”this word itself is Latin .The list includes alter,an 2gel,candle,canon,disci p le,martyr,m inister,pope,p sal m ,relic,and te mp le .On the other hand,many native words gain its ne w concep ts in Christianity belief .They did not borr ow the Latin word dues,f or their own word God was good enough .L ike 2wise heaven and hell exp ress concep ti ons already known t o Angl o-Saxon culture and consequently English words .[1]84-89A t the sa me ti m e,many Latin words entered the life of com 2mon peop le,which includes cap,silk,pear,l obster,box,mal 2l ow,kitchen,kettle,and street .A s the center of learning,church was the p lace of educati on .This is another as pect of the church ’s influence .Words such as school,master,gra mmatical and verse are Latin .A s a result if the Christianizing ofB ritain s ome 450Latin words appear in English vocabulary .I f we take a l ook at the literature of Angl o -Saxon peri od,the influence of Christian is more obvi ous .W ithout the cop ing works of monks,the earliest poetry of England can hardly retain its hold on the life and language of English peop le .“More than half of Angl o -Saxon poetry is concerned with Christian subjects ”.[1]69O ldEnglish can not be considered as a f or m of fully devel oped lan 2guage .It can be underst ood as the basic for m of modern English,which Latin language hel p s t o enrich its vocabulary and f or malize its grammar .Next peri od of English devel opment with the hel p of B ible translati on,English entered a ti m e of rap id changing .Ⅲ.B i ble tran sl a ti on and English l anguage“No work excep t Shakes peare has had s o much influence on the phraseol ogy of English as the authorized versi on of the bible at one ti m e fa m iliar t o all households ”said Pr of .Earnest W eekly .The hist ory of biblical translati on is s o l ong that it con 2tains a huge a mount of evidence about how English had changed over centuries .The i m pact of B ible on English language is s o big—76—语文学刊・外语教育教学 2009年第7期that one can easily tell a phase directly fr om B ible.B ible transla2 ti on influences the devel opment of English in many ways.W e shall go thr ough the hist ory of B ible translati on in English,con2 sidering the contributi on of John W ycliffe,Tyndale,and Author2 ized Versi on,t o reveal the effects that holy scri p t brings t o English.The main versi on of the bible used in the earlyM iddle Ages was Vulgate,Saint Jer ome’s Latin translati on fr om Greek and Hebre w.The first translat or we should know in this p r ocess is John W ycliffe.H is translati on of B ible is the first comp leteB ibles in the English language.W hen John W ycliffe translated the B ible,he enlarged the English language by adap ting many Latin words int o his English B ible.The words treasure and mys2 tery,gl ory and horr or,female and sex all owe their English us2 age t o W ycliffe’s B ible(English Language Words/Phrases).H is translati on p reserved Latin constructi ons and word order even when they conflicted with English usage.The words like“unsta2 tiable”or“ungl ori ous”were p r oduced by W ycliffe.I f you go though old editi on of B ible you will be likely t o read“i m possi2 ble”as“unpossible”.H is translati on was in use thr oughout the 15th century.Tyndale can be as father of English literature’s phrases and compounds,es pecially related t o great feelings and mood.“B r oken-heart”,“l ong-suffering”,“peace-maker”and“mercy-seat”are fe w exa mp les.He coined words fr om the Dutch and Ger manic s ources as well as French.H is translati on of Ne w Testa ment was comp leted in1525.He was fluent in eight languages and is considered by many t o be the p ri m ary architect of the modern English language.So many of the phrases Tyndale coined are still in English language t oday.Let’s make no m is2 take that Tydale’s versi on has st ood the test of ti m e.“The1611King Ja mes B ible’known as“translati on t o end all translati ons”,beca me the most widely used p r otestant English B ible.It is the first authoritative state bible,als o known as the Authorized Versi on.Its influence has been more p r ofound on the linguistic habits of English-s peakers than any other book.It has hel ped t o shape the language f or nearly400years. For centuries a copy of the B ible was t o be found in virtually ev2 ery house,read and consulted regularly.Peop le could exp ress their reacti on t o life in biblical language,s pecifically the lan2 guage of the King Ja mes B ible.The first recorded use of many of the words used in ordinary English t oday can be f ound in the ear2 ly translati ons of the B ible int o English.To be exactly,B ible translati on enables common peop le t o have access t o the holy scri p t and at the same ti m e hel p the m t o f or malize their nati onal language.Ⅳ.The i n fluence of B i ble on co mm on s ay i n g and litera tureW ith the popularity of the King Ja mes B ible,English lan2 guage gains its maj or s ource of idi omatic exp ressi on.Nu mer ous phrases used in every day s peech have their origin in the B ible. Many English idi om s are Hebre w sayings the KJV B ible transla2 ted literally.W e know that Shakes peare,whose work is the other s ource of English idi om,frequently quoted fr om B ible;it is not sur p rise t o know that most English s peakers use s ome idi omaticexp ressi ons fr om B ible even without clear knowledge where they are originally fr om.“Eye f or eye,t ooth for t ooth”.This fa mous saying establishes a la w governing relati onshi p s bet w een peop le, and is often quoted as a si m p le s oluti on f or justice.Only name a fe w of these fa mous sayings:‘al pha and Omega’/‘ashes t o a2 shes,dust t o dust’/‘at one’s last gas p’/‘blind leading the blind’/‘casting pearls before s wine’/‘cr own of thorns’/‘digging a hole f or oneself’/‘eye of a needle’/‘God save the king’.The undeniable effect of B ible on English language is that maybe you never read the B ible comp letely but you have t o use its idi om s t o exp ress you feelings.B iblical reference runs thr ough much of western literature.A l ot of writers refer t o biblical st ories.Not only are the st ories well know,but they can be varied for effect f or particular pur po2 ses,thus many tales about theB ible st ories become the subject of p r om inent books.A fe w exa mp les m ightmake this clear.I f we talk about“vanity fair”maybe it is not directly connected with B ible st ory,but one would i m mediately think about John Bunyan and his Pilgri m’s Pr ogress;and surly the novel of Thackeray. Both works can find their origin in Ecclesiastes:all is vanity. And if we talk aboutW aste Land of T.S Eli ot,it is i m possible t o understand its the me without adequate knowledge of B ible.Actu2 ally the maj or subject of western literature is rest upon“salva2 ti on”,the task of Christianity.Even the B ible itself can be con2 sidered as a literary work because many chap ters have their liter2 ature significance.A s we can see,Christianity has its unique influence upon English language.W ith Latin enriching its vocabulary,B ible translati on devel op ing its language,idi om s fr om B ible p r ovoking its literature,English becomes a modern language t ogether with Christianity melting int o its culture.Thr oughout the hist ory of O ld English,M iddle English and Modern English,we can dis2 covery that each peri od bears its s pecial Christianity element.A s a maj or religi on of the world,Christianity has its share of influ2 ence on brief;moreover,with widely s p reading of church and f oll ower,its i m pact upon language and culture is p r ofound and l ong-lasting.【References】[1]Baugh,A lbert,and Thomas Cable.A H ist ory of theEnglish Language[M].Foreign Language Teaching and Re2search Press,2001.[2]Greer,Ger maine.Shakes peare[M].Foreign LanguageTeaching and Research Press,2007.[3]R iches,John.The B ible[M].Foreign Language Teachingand Research Press,2008.[4]Stavrianos,L.S.A Gl obal H ist ory:Fr om Prehist ory t o the21st Century[M].Peking University Press,2004.[5]Tan,Zaixi.A Short H ist ory of Translati on in the W est[M].Commercial Press,2004.[6]W ilkens,Steve,and A lan Padgett.Christianity andW estern Thought Vol.2[M].Peking University Press,2005. (下转第74页)LANG UAGE L i Ruobai,J ia J ingyang/The I nfluence That Christianity B ringsUpon English Languagelanguage structure,but it is not s o easy t o say ho w many levels should be set up in order t o ex p lain the way this structure is organized.S o me si m p le models of language recognize only t w o basic levels:the set of physical f or m s(s ounds,letters,signs,words)con2 tained in a language,and the range of abstract mean2 ings conveyed by these f or m s.Four-level models of language are a mong the most w idely used.These f our levels are phonetics,phonol ogy,gra mmar and se man2 tics.Ho wever,further divisi ons w ithin and bet w een these levels are often made.For exa mp le,w ithin the level of gra mmar,it is co mmon t o recognize a distinc2 ti on bet w een the study of word structure(mor phol ogy) and the study of word sequence w ithin sentences(syn2 tax).W ithin phonol ogy,the study of v o wels,cons o2 nants,and syllables(seg mental phonol ogy)is usually distinguished fr o m the study of p r os ody and other t ones of v oice(sup ra-seg mental phonol ogy).W ithin se2 mantics,the study of v ocabulary(lexicon)is s o me2 ti m es taken separately fr o m the study of larger patterns of meaning.A ll of these are regularly referred t o as levels of structure[2].Ⅳ.Conclusi onThere are still a l ot of subjects on language.Thispaper only intr oduces the s mall parts of n2 guage is not only ex p ressed by s peaking but only by w riting,even by body or s o me nguage is als o st orage of cultural and hist orical kno w ledge.I n co m2 mon usage language can als o refer t o non-hu man sys2 te m s of co mmunicati nguage study relates t o man2 y areas.【References】[1]胡壮麟,姜望琪.语言学高级教程[M].北京大学出版社,2002.[2]David,Crystal.The Ca mbridge Encycl opedia of Language[M].Ca mbridge University Press,1987.[3]Jack,C.R ichard.John Platt and Heidi Platt.Long manD icti onary of Language Teaching&App lied L inguistics[M].Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press,2000.[4]F.de.Saussure.Course in General L inguistics[M].ChinaSocial Sciences PublishingHouse,1999.析语言结构史艳英　杨海升(内蒙古农业大学外语学院,内蒙古　呼和浩特　010020;内蒙古农业大学职业技术学院,内蒙古　包头　014030) [摘　要]　本文主要从语言的定义和结构分析语言的特征。

西方文化的影响英语作文Title: The Influence of Western Culture on English Composition。

English, as a global language, serves as a conduit for cultural exchange, and the influence of Western culture on English composition is undeniable. From literature to everyday language usage, Western culture has left an indelible mark on how English is written and spoken worldwide.Firstly, Western literature has played a significant role in shaping English composition. Works of renowned Western authors such as William Shakespeare, Jane Austen, and Ernest Hemingway have not only contributed to the richness of the English language but have also provided models for narrative structures, character development, and thematic exploration. For example, Shakespeare's use of iambic pentameter and dramatic dialogue has influenced poetic forms and theatrical writing across the globe.Similarly, Austen's insightful portrayal of social dynamics in her novels has inspired countless writers to delve into the complexities of human relationships in their own works. Thus, Western literature serves as a treasure trove of inspiration for English writers worldwide, shaping the way stories are told and ideas are expressed.Furthermore, the spread of Western media and popular culture has had a profound impact on English composition. With the advent of the internet and social media, Western films, television shows, and music have become easily accessible to people around the world. As a result, phrases, slang, and expressions originating from Western media have permeated everyday English usage, influencing thevocabulary and colloquialisms found in written compositions. For instance, phrases like "catch-22," "butterflies in the stomach," and "the whole nine yards" have become ubiquitous in English discourse, transcending cultural boundaries and finding their way into essays, articles, and even academic writing. Moreover, the rise of platforms like YouTube and Twitter has facilitated the dissemination of Westerncultural norms and values, shaping the perspectives andwriting styles of English speakers globally.Additionally, the dominance of Western educational systems has contributed to the influence of Western culture on English composition. Many English language learners receive their formal education in institutions that follow Western pedagogical methods and curriculum standards. Consequently, they are exposed to Western literary classics, grammatical conventions, and rhetorical techniques from an early age, which in turn inform their writing practices. Moreover, the emphasis on critical thinking, argumentation, and research skills in Western education encouragesstudents to engage with diverse perspectives and develop their own voice as writers. As a result, English compositions produced within this educational frameworkoften reflect the influence of Western academic discourse and intellectual traditions.In conclusion, the influence of Western culture on English composition is multifaceted and far-reaching. From literature and popular culture to education, Western ideals, values, and linguistic conventions permeate the way Englishis written and spoken worldwide. As English continues to evolve as a global language, it will undoubtedly continue to reflect the diverse cultural influences that shape its usage.。

西方文化的影响英语作文The influence of Western culture on English。

The English language, as one of the most widely spoken languages globally, has been significantly influenced by Western culture throughout history. This influence can be observed in various aspects, including vocabulary, grammar, literature, and even social norms. In this essay, we will explore the profound impact of Western culture on the English language.Firstly, Western culture has left a lasting imprint on English vocabulary. This influence stems from historical events such as the Norman Conquest in 1066, during which the Normans, who spoke Old Norman, a dialect of Old French, invaded England. As a result, many French words entered the English language, enriching its vocabulary. Additionally, the Renaissance period, with its focus on classical learning and exploration, introduced numerous Latin and Greek terms into English, further broadening its lexicon.Moreover, in modern times, the dominance of Western economies and media has led to the widespread adoption of English words and phrases across different languages, a phenomenon known as "linguistic imperialism." Thus, Western culture has played a pivotal role in shaping the vocabulary of the English language.Secondly, Western cultural norms and values have influenced the grammatical structure of English. For example, the concept of individualism, which is prominent in Western societies, is reflected in the English language through the use of pronouns such as "I," "me," and "my," emphasizing the self. In contrast, some Eastern languages prioritize collective identity, which is manifested intheir grammatical structures. Furthermore, Western cultural ideals of democracy and equality have influenced the development of English grammar, contributing to its relatively simple and egalitarian syntax compared to other languages.Additionally, Western literature has had a profound impact on the English language. The works of Shakespeare,Dickens, Austen, and other Western writers have not only enriched English literature but also influenced the language itself. Many idioms, phrases, and literary devices commonly used in English today originated from theseliterary masterpieces. Moreover, the spread of English literature worldwide, facilitated by colonialism and globalization, has further entrenched the influence of Western culture on the English language.Furthermore, Western cultural trends and innovations often find expression in the English language. For instance, advancements in technology, fashion, and entertainment originating from Western societies are often accompanied by new words and expressions that become part of the English lexicon. Similarly, social movements such as feminism,civil rights, and environmentalism, which have their rootsin Western culture, have shaped the discourse andvocabulary of English-speaking communities worldwide.In conclusion, Western culture has exerted a profound influence on the English language in terms of vocabulary, grammar, literature, and social norms. This influence isevident in the adoption of words and phrases from Western languages, the grammatical structure of English, theliterary heritage of Western writers, and the expression of cultural trends and values in the language. As English continues to evolve and adapt to changing global dynamics, its connection to Western culture remains a defining characteristic of the language.。

论西方宗教对英语翻译的影响及对策摘要：本文主要分析西方宗教，即基督教对英语翻译的影响，接着谈谈如何进行英语翻译的策略，具有一定的参考意义和实践价值。

关键词：西方宗教基督教英语翻译影响对策一、引言“宗教”一词在英语中为religion，源于拉丁文religlo，意为敬神。

说到西方宗教，无疑就是指基督教。

这不仅因为基督教是西方人的主要信仰，还因为它对西方社会文化产生了巨大而深远的影响，其本身也成为西方文化的主要组成部分，或者说是西方文化的核心。

正是基于此，有些学者把西方宗教就特指为基督教。

《圣经》是基督教的经典，毋庸置疑，西方宗教对英语翻译的影响就源于此。

《圣经》中的很多典故深深影响了翻译界的创作。

本文主要分析西方宗教，即基督教对英语翻译的影响，接着谈谈如何进行英语翻译的策略，具有一定的参考意义和实践价值。

二、基督教经典《圣经》对英语翻译的影响《圣经》(The Bible)是基督教的经典，包括《旧约》(The Old Testament)和《新约》(The New Testament)两大部分，共计66卷。

《圣经》是由三十多位作者，历时一千多年才创作完成的一部巨著。

自中世纪以来，《圣经》渗透到上层建筑的各个领域，可谓一组逾越千年的古典丛书，是人类历史上最有影响的一部文集。

据统计，目前《圣经》已经有300多种文字的版本，是世界上流传最广和数量最多的书。

《圣经》不仅是一部宗教经典，而且是西方文化的重要支柱。

它记载了犹太民族和古代地中海地区其他民族的历史、神话、传说、诗歌，民俗、伦理、法律等重要史料。

它作为宗教圣典，是督教教义的基础，为基督教信仰的根本。

但这部巨大的宗教文献汇编，同时又是一部瑰丽奇绝的文学艺术杰作。

它以小说、历史、诗歌、戏剧、书信等不同体裁，记述了古代信仰和再现了远古生活风情。

《圣经》中通过生动的人、物形象所表述的宗教观念，一方面仍给宗教信徒们带来神秘奥妙、奇远绝深的信仰寓意，另一方面则成为西方文化生活中广泛流传、家喻户晓的成语典故，并被广泛地引用到文学作品中。

基督教对英语文化的影响论文（英文版）As is known to us all, there are three main religions in the world, which includes Christianity, Islam, and buddhism. In a sense, these three religons including many followers exert a great influence on human-beings around the world. For many people, the belief in these religions has been incorporated into their daily lives. Whenever they awake from their dream and wherever they go to, they wil never forget to worship their Gods. How powerful the religion is! When it comes to some western countries, we have to focus on the significant religion----Christianity. The reason why we should refer to Christianity in this situation is that not only does it offer the spirit guide to many westerners, but also it can help us to comprehend these countries deeply. Also, Christianity can Be found everywhere in western world, espicially for politcs , economy, culture and society. The western politics is formed in the process of western culture.Therefore ,there is a close connection between Christianity and western politics from the very beginning. If you read books about western politics, you will know that some priciples used in western countries is derived from Christianity. For instncance, the concept of freedom and equality, dmocracy, and political structure.At the very begining, inspired by Christianity,many people dare to venture their lives to fight with tyrant and appeal for freedom.Since Christianity became the state religion of Roman Empire, it had turned into a kind of official ideology. At that time, great changes have taken place in different areas of this country. it is a milestone in the history of Roman Empire. Since then, the religious system of Roman changes from polytheism to monotheism. The ruler makes full use of the religion tostrengthen his regime. At the same time, what the average people have to do is to submit to the doctrines that serves the emperor. Thus, there is no doubt that Christianityand western politics is inseperable at any time.First of all,Human rights and democracy play an important part in the field of today’s politics in western countries. In other words, it is the foundation of western political civilization. At present, a handful of people think that the idea of human rights and democracy must trace back to Greek and roman cultures. However, it is Christianity that promotes the development of these ideas. Although not a single of these items does Christian put forward, we can find the core content in Christianity. When we read Deuterononomy in the Holy bible, we will see the sentences like“If your fellow Hebrew, whether male orfemale, is sold to you and serves you for six years,then in the seventh year you must let that servant gofree. ”and “If yo u set them free, you must not sendthem away empty-handed. You must supplythem generously from your flock, your threshingfloor, and your winepress—as the L ORD your Godhas blessed you, you must give to them.”As you can see, from the doctrine of the Holy bible, a great importance has been attached to hunma rights. This is the reason why people claim that these valuable ideas come from Christianity. What is more, thanks to the ideas in the Holy bible, many people in western countries seek ways to overturn the Monarchy and colonists. In the past, People in British created the constitutional monarchy to guarantee human rights and democracy. People in france also overturnde the king and established a system called bourgeois republic. After getting rid of the british rule, in order to gurantee human rights of American people, they enacted the Declaration of Independence.In this official document, we will find the sentences like “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursui t of Happiness. --That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving th eir just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institu te new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such for m, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.”This document is designed in the name of god and highlights the necessity of equality and other human rights that god gives them all. The political system goes very well in America at earlier time, with Christianity involved. Futhermore, the idea of original sin in Christianity also offers us a way to understand democracy in western politics. With few exceptions, the monarchy in western countries do not have absolute power like the emperor in China throughout the western history. That is, the power of the monarchy is limited by the church. They believe that everyone in the world has original sin after Adam and Eve eat the forbidden fruits in the Garden of Eden. So no one can become a ruler who overtops the others because all men need to be saved by the only God. Naturally, with the help of the idea, western politics heads toward the progress of democracy.Secondly, the author wants to talk about the relationship between Christianity and dual political concept. Some enlightenment occurs to our mind at the moment we think of the words “Caesar’s to Caesar, god’s to God.” It contains themeaning that the division of secular rights and religious authority. In Middle Ages, it was widely believed that secular rights needed to be approved by religious authority, which was important for a king who wants to come into power. In daily life, the king had to pay a great tribute to pope, the representative of God in the world. Hence, there happened the corruption of Vatican because of his absolute power. Accordingly, the civilian suffered from the exploit from the community, the king and the pope. With the development of the western society, pope has no longer had the power to contral the king. It advances the progress of the social reform and prosperity. Compared with the dark ages, we can see that great changes has been made. Nowadays, there also have many regimes that belong to the unification of the state and the church in the Middle East. This kind of system does not promote the countries to prosperity. On the contrary, it brings them the conflict between different denominations. For example, the contradiction between Shiah and Sunite. For the modern western countries, they do not need to worried about that. The religion has no connection to politics , so they have an effective government. The idea of original sins enable western countries to divide the absolute power to several parts. In America, president, congress ,and suprem court are the essence of the country. It makes it certain that the power will not be abused. In this political framework, people have the opportunity to participate in the current affairs of the government. In conclusion, we have to prevent government from the control of the religion, but we should admit the value of Christianity.。

基督教英语作文Title: The Essence of Christianity: A Journey of Faith and Transformation。

Christianity, as a faith that has profoundly influenced the course of human history, embodies a rich tapestry of beliefs, values, and practices that have resonated across cultures and civilizations. In this essay, we delve into the essence of Christianity, exploring its core tenets, its impact on individuals and societies, and the transformative power it holds.At the heart of Christianity lies the belief in the triune God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—whose love and grace are central to Christian doctrine. The foundational narrative of Christianity revolves around the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God. His sacrificial death on the cross and subsequent resurrection are seen as the ultimate acts of redemption, offering salvation to humanity andreconciling humanity with God.Central to the Christian faith is the concept of grace, the unmerited favor and love of God freely given to humanity. This grace, Christians believe, is received through faith in Jesus Christ, not by any works or merits of our own. This principle underscores the core ofChristian theology—that salvation is a gift, available to all who believe.The Bible, comprising the Old and New Testaments, serves as the sacred text and authoritative guide for Christians. It contains the inspired word of God and serves as a source of spiritual wisdom, moral guidance, and theological insight. Through its narratives, teachings, poetry, and prophecies, the Bible offers believers a framework for understanding God's plan for humanity and the principles by which they are called to live.Christianity places a strong emphasis on love—love for God and love for one another—as encapsulated in the commandments to love God with all one's heart, soul, andmind, and to love one's neighbor as oneself. This ethic of love extends beyond mere sentimentality to encompass compassion, forgiveness, and self-sacrificial service, reflecting the example set by Jesus Christ during hisearthly ministry.The Christian life is characterized by a journey of discipleship, wherein believers seek to emulate the lifeand teachings of Jesus Christ. This involves cultivating virtues such as humility, integrity, patience, and perseverance, as well as actively engaging in acts of worship, prayer, and service. Christians are called to be ambassadors of God's kingdom, sharing the message of hope, reconciliation, and redemption with the world.Throughout history, Christianity has played a pivotal role in shaping the moral, cultural, and social fabric of societies around the globe. It has inspired art, literature, music, and architecture, leaving an indelible mark on human civilization. At the same time, Christianity has been a source of both unity and division, as differing interpretations of scripture and theological doctrines havegiven rise to various denominations and traditions.Yet, beyond its institutional forms and doctrinal formulations, Christianity speaks to the deepest longings of the human heart—the quest for meaning, purpose, and transcendence. It offers a vision of reality imbued with hope and redemption, inviting individuals into a transformative relationship with God. Through faith in Christ, Christians believe they are called to participatein the renewal of all creation, working towards justice, peace, and the flourishing of all humanity.In conclusion, Christianity is more than a system of beliefs or a set of rituals; it is a way of life—a journey of faith and transformation that encompasses the entirety of human existence. It calls individuals to encounter the living God, to experience the boundless depths of his love and grace, and to embody the values of the kingdom of heaven here on earth. As Christians, we are called to walk in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, guided by the light of his teachings and empowered by the presence of his Spirit,as we strive to fulfill the greatest commandment: to love God and love our neighbors as ourselves.。

The Influence of the Bible on English Idioms英语语言文学系2009级1班赵闻悦AbstractEnglish idiom is the most vigorous part in the language which was greatly influenced by the religious classic of western society the Holy Bible. This paper probes into the influence of the Bible on English idioms in two ways: allusion of biblical story and original saying, so as to better understand the cultural connotation of English idioms and relationship between English idioms and the Bible.Key words: English idioms; cultural connotation; the Bible.I. The Definition of Idiom“Idioms refer to the language peculiar to a people, country, class, community or more rarely, an individual, which have grown out of the linguistic practice of the people ever since the language came into being.”(张维友著，《英语词汇学教程》，华中师范大学出版社，2004) Strictly speaking, idioms are expressions that are not readily understandable from their literal meanings of individual constituents.Idioms are rooted in the soil on which the people live and are realized as formulaic phrases in its language system. Therefore the character of the people is clearly branded n its idioms. By comparing idioms of different people with each other, we can find that each people’s characteristics, history, cultural tradition, morality, sense of value, geographical environments and other aspects are fully expressed in its idioms. Consequently, in order to understand idioms, we should observe them in relation with such conditions as its religion, history, culture, customs, geography and sense of value, etc.II. The Significance of the BibleReligion, as one of special culture morphologies, almost came into being and developed at the same pace as human civilization. The Christian Church, instead of the monarch, controlled the whole European society, which then spread Christianity throughout the continent and molded unique European culture during two thousand of years. Religion is very important many westerners. In Britain, almost everyone reads the Holy Bible, and most of people go to church on Sundays. Newly-born children are baptized in church. People’s lives are closely related with religion.The Bible is a library of different literary types rather than a single book. The larger part, the Old Testament, is a collection of Jewish sacred writings, originally in Hebrew and consisting of teaching, history, prophecy, and poetry. The New Testament, originally in Greek, also includes diverse literary forms—letters of Paul and other apostles, historical narrative, apocalyptic writing, and four Gospels which are not history but arrangements of remembered acts and sayings of Jesus.III. Epurated from the Story of the BibleIdioms have grown out of the linguistic practice of a people and are realized as formulaic phrases in its language system. On the other hand, the Bible, as a public chrestomathy and cultural enlightenment text in western countries, facilitated the development of the English language along the history of thousands of years. More specifically speaking, since every individual is familiar with the classical allusions of the Bible, idioms epurated from them become commonly understood and circulate as formulaic phrases in such a culture.According to Matthew, as a result of the day of last trail when the Christ separated people one from another, the righteous people would go to heaven while the sinner would go to hell. “All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goat.”(房龙著，秦立彦译，《圣经的故事（中英双语版）》，广西师范大学出版社，2006) Therefore, “the sheep”and “the goat”respectively get the connotation of righteous people and the opposite while “tell the sheep from the goat” get the meaning of dividing good or useful people from bad or useless ones, which nowadays,however，is mainly used to distinguish between the efficient enterprises and inefficient ones.The idiom “the hand writing on the w all” is another illustration for this sort. In the Old Testament, Daniel, Chapter 5, Belshazzar and his buddies were on a drunken toot and used golden vessels from the temple of God which was at Jerusalem to drink wine. Then in the same hour, came forth fingers of a man's hand, and wrote over against the candlestick upon the plasters of the wall of the king's palace; and the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Daniel “in whom is the spirit of the holy gods” interpreted the handwriting for the king: “God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it. Thou art weighted in the balances, and art found wanting. Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.”(by Hodder and Stroughton，The Holy Bible（New International version），New York: International Bible Society，1983.) In that night was Belshazzar, the king of the Chaldeans slain. Refined from the Biblical story, the idiom “handwriting on the wall” means a threat of impending doom. As an instance, the sentence “The hand-writing is on the wall for the private company” has the similar meaning as “The bankruptcy of the private company seems certain”.IV. Cited from the Original Saying of the BibleIn the mind of Christians, the Bible is not only a religious classic or a prominent masterpiece, but also an unprecedentedly collection of wisdom. The original sayings of Cod or Jesus are being preaching in the church through out the world every Sunday, so that some of the most pious Christians even can recite them fluently. Many classic original sayings in the Bible have functioned as important sources of English idioms, which make the topic in question more comprehensive and visualized.The idiom “salt of the earth” comes from Matthew, chapter 5. When Jesus taught his disciples, he said that, “You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted?”As is known to us all, salt is an important flavoring in food without which people’s health will surely collapse. Therefore, salt is greatly cherished by many nations and sometimes regarded as a valuable gift for guests. Here, “the salt of the earth” can be explained as “the most valuable members of society”, “the finest type of the humanity” or “a person or a group of people having the best character”.When comes to the idiom “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than…”, you may think that Jesus really has great sense of humor. According to Matthew, chapter 19, Jesus said that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Obviously, this expression refers to the difficulty or impossibility of doing things. Based on this, we can paraphrase the sentence “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for Johnny to enter Harvard before he is thirteen” as “It is impossible for Johnny to enter Harvard before he is thirteen”.。