Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Western" is not directly found in the Bible; however, it can be explored through its cultural, geographical, and historical implications within a biblical context. The concept of "Western" often refers to the cultural and philosophical traditions that have developed in Europe and the Americas, influenced by Greco-Roman, Judeo-Christian, and Enlightenment thought. In a biblical context, understanding the Western perspective involves examining how these cultural influences have shaped the interpretation and application of biblical teachings.
Geographical ContextIn biblical times, the "West" was often associated with the Mediterranean Sea and the lands beyond it. The Bible occasionally uses directional terms to describe regions and peoples. For instance, in
Psalm 107:3 , it is written, "gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south." Here, "west" signifies the regions beyond the immediate Near Eastern context of the biblical narrative.
Cultural InfluenceThe Western world has been profoundly shaped by Judeo-Christian values, which have their roots in the Bible. The Ten Commandments (
Exodus 20:1-17) and the teachings of Jesus, such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), have significantly influenced Western legal systems, ethical frameworks, and societal norms. The emphasis on individual rights, the rule of law, and the inherent dignity of human beings can be traced back to biblical principles.
Historical DevelopmentThe spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and later into Europe laid the foundation for Western civilization. The Apostle Paul's missionary journeys, as recorded in the Book of Acts, played a crucial role in this expansion.
Acts 16:9-10 describes Paul's vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, which led to the spread of the Gospel into Europe: "During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and pleading with him, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them."
Philosophical and Theological ImpactWestern philosophy and theology have been deeply intertwined with biblical exegesis and interpretation. The works of early Church Fathers, such as Augustine and Aquinas, integrated biblical teachings with classical philosophy, shaping Western thought. Augustine's "City of God" and Aquinas's "Summa Theologica" are examples of how biblical principles were used to address philosophical questions and societal issues.
Modern ImplicationsIn contemporary times, the Western world continues to grapple with its biblical heritage. Debates over moral and ethical issues, such as the sanctity of life, marriage, and religious freedom, often invoke biblical teachings. The Bible remains a foundational text for many Western individuals and communities, influencing personal beliefs and public policies.
ConclusionWhile the Bible does not explicitly mention "Western" as a concept, its teachings have undeniably shaped the development and character of Western civilization. Understanding this influence requires a recognition of the historical, cultural, and philosophical contexts in which biblical principles have been applied throughout the ages.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Of or pertaining to the west; situated in the west, or in the region nearly in the direction Of west; being in that quarter where the sun sets; as, the western shore Of France; the western ocean.
2. (a.) Moving toward the west; as, a ship makes a western course; coming from the west; as, a western breeze.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
SEA, HINDER; UTMOST; UTTERMOST; WESTERNhin'-der; ut'-most; ut'-er-most; wes'-tern.
SeeMEDITERRANEAN SEA.
SEA, WESTERN
wes'-tern.
SeeMEDITERRANEAN SEA.
Greek
1424. dusme -- a setting (as of the sun), by impl. (the)western...... (the)
western (region). Part of
... Word Origin from duno Definition a setting (as of
the sun), by impl. (the)
western (region) NASB Word Usage west (5). west.
...2482. Italia -- Italy, a region ofwestern Europe
... Italy, a region ofwestern Europe. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration:
Italia Phonetic Spelling: (ee-tal-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Italy Definition...
773. Asia -- Asia, a Roman province
... Asia, a Roman province. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Asia Phonetic
Spelling: (as-ee'-ah) Short Definition: roughly thewestern third of Asia...
5435. Phrugia -- Phrygia, a region of Asia Minor
... Phrugia Phonetic Spelling: (froog-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Phrygia Definition:
Phrygia, an ethnic district in Asia Minor, the north-western part of which was...
3974. Paphos -- Paphos, a city in Cyprus
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: Paphos Phonetic Spelling:
(paf'-os) Short Definition: Paphos Definition: Paphos, a city at thewestern end...
2802. Klauda -- Clauda, an island near Crete
... Klauda Phonetic Spelling: (klow'-day) Short Definition: Cauda, Clauda Definition:
Cauda, Clauda, an island twenty-three miles south of thewestern end of Crete...
5085. Tiberias -- Tiberias, a city of Galilee, also another name...
... Transliteration: Tiberias Phonetic Spelling: (tib-er-ee-as') Short Definition: Tiberias
Definition: Tiberias, a town in Galilee on thewestern border of the...
4099. Pisidia -- Pisidia, a region of Asia Minor
... Pisidia Phonetic Spelling: (pis-id-ee'-ah) Short Definition: Pisidia Definition:
Pisidia, a country of Asia Minor, being the south-western part of the Roman...
Strong's Hebrew
314. acharon -- coming after or behind... 1), last (23), last one (1), last ones (1), last time (1), later (2), later things
(1), latter (3), next (2), ones who (1), rear (1), west (1),
western (4).
...3220. yam -- sea
... sea NASB Word Usage red* (24), sea (278), seacoast* (5), seas (27), seashore (1),
seashore* (9), south (1), west (59), west side (4),western (1), westward (12...
Library
OnWestern Missions.
... ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 736. " OnWestern
Missions. 736. CPM Episcopal Coll. OnWestern Missions....
TheWestern Churches.
... ASSOCIATIONS, CONVENTIONS, AND MISSIONARY MEETINGS. 735. " TheWestern
Churches. 735. CM SW Livermore. TheWestern Churches....
Fall of theWestern Empire (Ad 451-476)
... PART I CHAPTER XXIII: FALL OF THEWESTERN EMPIRE (AD 451-476). The empire
of the West was now fast sinking. One weak prince was at...
The Sun Has Reached hisWestern Goal,
... MORNING The sun has reached hiswestern goal,. tr., John Brownlie 8.8.8.8. I. The
sun has reached hiswestern goal,. And night winds hush the world to rest;...
Certificate Laws andWestern Land Bills
... THE DEVELOPMENT OF RELIGIOUS LIBERTY IN CONNECTICUT CHAPTER XIII CERTIFICATE
LAWS ANDWESTERN LAND BILLS. And make the bounds of...
The Sun Has Reached hisWestern Goal,
... EVENING II The sun has reached hiswestern goal,. 8,8,8,8. The sun has reached
hiswestern goal,. And night-winds hush the world to rest;...
MAC Coxe.Western Missions.
... VIII. VARIOUS OCCASIONS. 418. 8 & 7s. MAC Coxe.Western Missions. 1 Westward,
Lord, the world alluring, Has Thy risen day-star beamed...
1870-1871. Workers' Meetings at Home of Industry --Training Home...
... Workers' meetings at home of industry"Training home at Hampton opened"Personal
experiences"Welcome inWestern Canada"Help for a Glasgow home"Scottish...
Alexandria and Rome - the Jewish Communities in the Capitals of...
... FOR THE GOSPEL: THE JEWISH WORLD IN THE DAYS OF CHRIST CHAPTER V. ALEXANDRIA AND
ROME - THE JEWISH COMMUNITIES IN THE CAPITALS OFWESTERN CIVILISATION....
Synodical Act of Damasus, Bishop of Rome, and of theWestern...
... Book II. Chapter XVII."Synodical Act of Damasus, Bishop of Rome, and of
theWestern Bishops, about the Council at Ariminum. The...
Thesaurus
Western (19 Occurrences)... to the west; situated in the west, or in the region nearly in the direction Of west;
being in that quarter where the sun sets; as, the
western shore Of France
...Apostles (79 Occurrences)
... These three types do not correspond with the four classes of text (Syrian,Western,
Alexandrian, Neutral) outlined by Hort in his Introduction to the New...
Mediterranean
... sun" (Joshua 1:4; Joshua 23:4), and, since the west was regarded as the "back,"
in contrast to the east as the "front," as "hinder (or "western" the Revised...
Bashan (54 Occurrences)
... (1.) Gaulonitis, or Jaulan, the mostwestern; (2.) Auranitis, the Hauran (Ezek.
47:16);... Of thewestern boundary as we have seen there can be no certainty....
Samaria (123 Occurrences)
... (Comp. Micah 1:6.). In the time of Christ,Western Palestine was divided
into three provinces, Judea, Samaria, and Galilee. Samaria...
Lycaonia (2 Occurrences)
... In the time of Paul, Lycaonia consisted of two parts, awestern and an
eastern. Thewestern part was a "region" or subdivision of...
Medes (15 Occurrences)
... Rammanu-nirari III of Assyria (Rawlinson,Western Asiatic Inscriptions, I, 35) declares
that he (810-781 BC) had conquered "the land of the Medes and the land...
Philosophy (1 Occurrence)
... fi-los'-o-fi (philosophia): 1. Definition and Scope (1) Intuitive Philosophy Is
Universal (2) Speculative Philosophy Belongs Mainly toWestern Thought 2. Greek...
Beth-shemesh (19 Occurrences)
... remark that if their affliction was from Yahweh, the kine would bear the ark "by
the way of its own border." The Philistines lay along thewestern border of...
Bethshemesh (19 Occurrences)
... remark that if their affliction was from Yahweh, the kine would bear the ark "by
the way of its own border." The Philistines lay along thewestern border of...
Resources
What is the Wailing Wall / Western Wall? | GotQuestions.orgWhat was the Carolingian Dynasty? What was its influence on church history? | GotQuestions.orgAre the teachings of Witness Lee and the Local Church biblical? | GotQuestions.orgWestern: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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