June 1b – The Bible Impacts Everyday Things
Have you ever realized how the Bible has impacted everyday things?
- Do you like grape juice? Mr. Welch, a Christian, wanted to develop a nonalcoholic drink made with grapes to be served at Communion. Thus Welch’s Grape Juice was born.
- Christian minister Reverend Sylvester Graham wanted to create a product to curb the desire for whiskey. He was “convinced that a craving for whiskey could be cured by eating bread baked with bran.” Thus the graham cracker was created.
- Do you like twisted pretzels? Thank a Christian monk. In 610 A.D., he rewarded his young students who could say their prayers by giving them a snack in the shape reflecting the crossing of the arms during prayers. Centuries later, we still use this twisted shape!
- All across the world, we use the word “restaurant” for an eating establishment. Where did that word come from? From a Bible verse taken out of context, Matthew 11:28, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (NKJV emp. added). In 1766, a Paris chef opened an eating establishment only for eating. Prior to this time, the only public place to eat was at an inn or hotel. The French chef, Boulanger, placed a sign out front “come unto me all ye that are hungry and I shall restore you.” The word “restore” in French is restaurai, and thus, the word “restaurant” was born. Who would have thought it had biblical origins!
These are just a few examples of everyday things that came about from having a biblical worldview!
Matthew 5:13
KJV: Ye are the salt of the earth…
NIV: You are the salt of the earth.
Reference
From the book “Have You Considered”?
Kennedy, D. James & Jerry Newcombe. 1998. What if the Bible had Never been Written. Thomas Nelson
Publishers. Nashville, Tennessee. p.188.