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The Bible has been the most influential text in all of Western culture. It's difficult to understand medieval or early modern or much of modern literature without knowing it...

Prof. Barbara Newman, Northwestern University
from 2006 Bible Literary project

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It's not that it's impossible to read some writers without a Biblical background, but that you would miss a whole dimension to their work.

Prof. Steven Goldsmith, University of California at Berkeley
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

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I can only say that if a student doesn't know any Bible literature, he or she will simply not understand whole elements of Shakespeare, Sidney, Spenser, Milton, Pope, Wordsworth

Prof. Robert Kiely, Harvard University
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

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...there is truth in the remark. "without Tyndale[Bible translator], no Shakespeare"...

Prof. David Daniell, University College London
from The Bible in English

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You can't really study Western literature intelligently or coherently without starting with the Bible.

Prof. Gerald L. Bruns, University of Notre Dame
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

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...a familiar understanding of Christian doctrine in historical perspective thus contributes to a fuller appreciation of Shakespeare's art, but Shakespeare's art

Prof. Roland M. Frye
from Shakespeare and the Christian Doctrine

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In English tradition and also for an American tradition begun by Puritan writers, a knowledge of the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament is even more crucial than classical references.

Prof. Ulrich Knoefplmacher, Princeton University
from 2006 Bible Literary Project

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There is no book more important for our culture than the Bible, and it is fundametal to the study of English literature and language.

Prof. David Jasper and Prof. Stephen Prickett
from the Bible and literature

Damascus road experience (Acts 9:18)

Picture description: Paul on the road to Damascus
Picture copyright: V. Gilbert and Arlisle F. Beers

bible verse

“Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.”

meaning

In modern day usage, a Damascus road experience or conversion refers to a sudden change on a serious issue such as changing political views, a major career change or converting to another religion.

origin and application

Paul the apostle was born of a Roman background. Paul was a Pharisee who persecuted Jesus’ disciples until one day, God revealed to him in a bright light on his way to Damascus, capital of present-day Syria. He was blinded by a strong light for three days until he met a disciple named Ananias who was sent by God to place his hands on Paul. He was converted to follow Christ afterwards.

Keywords

blind    change    conversion    Damascus    eyes    Paul   

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