Definition and Scope:
Civilization, in the context of the Bible, refers to the development of human society characterized by the establishment of cities, governance, culture, and social order. The Bible provides insights into the origins and progress of civilization, highlighting both its achievements and moral challenges.

Biblical Origins of Civilization:
The concept of civilization begins in the early chapters of Genesis. After the creation of man, God commands humanity to "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it" (Genesis 1:28). This divine mandate sets the stage for the development of human society and culture.

The first city mentioned in the Bible is Enoch, built by Cain after he was banished for murdering Abel (Genesis 4:17). This marks the beginning of urbanization, a key component of civilization. The descendants of Cain are noted for their contributions to civilization, including Jabal, the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock, Jubal, the father of all who play the harp and flute, and Tubal-Cain, a forger of all kinds of bronze and iron tools (Genesis 4:20-22).

The Tower of Babel:
A significant biblical account related to civilization is the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9). Humanity, unified by a single language, sought to build a city and a tower reaching the heavens to make a name for themselves. This act of pride and defiance against God led to the confusion of languages and the scattering of people across the earth. The Tower of Babel narrative illustrates the potential for human civilization to challenge divine authority and the resulting consequences.

Civilization in Israel's History:
The history of Israel provides further insights into the development of civilization. The establishment of the monarchy under Saul, David, and Solomon represents a significant advancement in governance and societal organization. Solomon's reign, in particular, is marked by extensive building projects, including the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a symbol of religious and cultural achievement (1 Kings 6).

The laws given to Israel through Moses also reflect the structuring of a civilized society. The Ten Commandments and other laws provided a moral and legal framework for the community, emphasizing justice, social responsibility, and worship of the one true God (Exodus 20).

Prophetic Views on Civilization:
The prophets often addressed the moral and spiritual state of civilizations. They warned against the dangers of pride, idolatry, and injustice, which could lead to a society's downfall. For example, the prophet Isaiah speaks against the arrogance of nations and their leaders, reminding them of God's sovereignty over all human affairs (Isaiah 10:12-14).

The New Testament Perspective:
In the New Testament, the spread of the Gospel occurs within the context of the Roman Empire, a highly developed civilization of its time. The early Christians navigated the complexities of living in a pagan society while maintaining their distinct identity and mission. The Apostle Paul, in his letters, often addressed issues related to living as Christians within a broader civilization, urging believers to be "blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and perverse generation" (Philippians 2:15).

Eschatological Views:
The Bible also presents an eschatological vision of civilization. In the book of Revelation, the ultimate culmination of human history is depicted as the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth, where God dwells with His people in a perfect and eternal city, the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-4). This vision contrasts with the flawed and transient nature of earthly civilizations, offering hope for a future where God's perfect order is fully realized.Genesis 1:1-31
In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
Topicalbible.org

Job 38:4
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if you have understanding.
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Isaiah 40:22
It is he that sits on the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretches out the heavens as a curtain, and spreads them out as a tent to dwell in:
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Psalm 104:5
Who laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed for ever.
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1 John 5:19
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in wickedness.
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Jude 1:7
Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
Topicalbible.org

False Civilization
... SERMON VI."FALSE CIVILIZATION. Jeremiah 35:19. Thus saith the Lord of
hosts, the God of Israel; Jonadab the son of Rechab shall ...
/.../kingsley/discipline and other sermons/sermon vi false civilization.htm

Chaldaean Civilization
... CHAPTER III"CHALDAEAN CIVILIZATION. CHALDAEAN CIVILIZATION"ROYALTY"THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE FAMILY AND ITS PROPERTY"CHALMAN COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY. ...
/.../chapter iiichaldaean civilization.htm

West by Way of the East.
... The conditions are largely those of savagery except where affected by
Christian civilization through the missionary enterprise. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/west by way of the.htm

Our Hope is the Personal Return of Our Redeemer.
... The hope of Civilization has failed. How much all of us have heard of "the march
and progress of Civilization" during the past two generations! ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/4 our hope is the.htm

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of ...
... We may add (what is indeed implied in the preceding remark) that the gospel required
for its introduction a well-developed state of civilization and culture ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xviii the books of.htm

The Marvelous Influence of the Bible Declares Its Super-Human ...
... from our statute books every law which is founded upon the ethical conceptions of
the Bible and you have annihilated the greatest factor in modern civilization ...
/.../the divine inspiration of the bible/chapter eight the marvelous influence.htm

We Say Then that the Female Holds up with Two Strong Arms These ...
... We say then that the female holds up with two strong arms these two pillars of
civilization; we say also that she could do neither, but for her position; her ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 21 we say then.htm

The Coming Great Leaders.
... Their little, but mighty, aggressive neighbor on their eastern shore had brought
to their very door the new civilization of the Christian West. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/the coming great leaders.htm

From Abraham to Egypt.
... Outwardly there was a splendid civilization as is shown by the monuments. ... For these
cities were perhaps only typical of the entire civilization of the time. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter iv from abraham to.htm

The Place of the Old Testament in Divine Revelation
... involved a public denunciation of their kings. [Sidenote: Contact with
Babylonian civilization]. On the other hand, the Israelites ...
/.../the origin and permanent value of the old testament/iv the place of the.htm

What does the Bible say about wearing hats in church? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian respond to a bad economy? | GotQuestions.org

Is it wrong to be nostalgic / have nostalgia? | GotQuestions.org

Civilian: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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