Fragment of a speech by Juan Donoso Cortes

There is a book, treasure of a people that today is a fable and ludibrio of the earth, and that in times past was a star of the East, where all the great poets of the western regions of the world have gone to drink their divine inspiration and in which They have learned the secret of lifting hearts and enrapturing souls with superhuman and mysterious harmonies. That book is the Bible, the book par excellence. In it Petrarch learned to modulate his moans; In it Dante saw the terrifying visions of him; From that lit forge the poet of Sorrento drew the splendid radiance of his songs. Without him, Milton would not have surprised the woman in her first weakness, the man in her first guilt, Luzbel in her first conquest, God in his first frown; Neither he nor he would have been able to tell the people the tragedy of paradise, nor sing with a song of pain the misfortune and sad fate of the human race.

The most read passages in the Bible can vary depending on religious tradition and individual preferences, but some of the most well-known and cited passages in the Bible are:

Psalm 23: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want..."

John 3:16: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."

Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."

Matthew 5:3-12: The Beatitudes, which begin with "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Matthew 22:37-39: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And the second is like it: you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Philippians 4:13: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

Jeremiah 29:11: "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you the end you hope for."

Romans 8:28: "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God..."

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight."

Exodus 20:1-17: The Ten Commandments, including “Thou shalt not kill,” “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” “Thou shalt not steal,” among others.

The importance of the Bible is multifaceted and varies depending on the beliefs and perspectives of individuals and communities. Here are some of the most notable reasons why the Bible is considered important:

Religious foundation: The Bible is the central religious text for Christianity, which is one of the largest religions in the world. It is also relevant to other religions, such as Judaism, which considers the Old Testament as its sacred text. The Bible provides the fundamental beliefs, morals and ethics that guide the lives of millions of people.

Spiritual Guidance: For many believers, the Bible is a source of spiritual guidance and a tool to deepen their relationship with God. Bible stories, teachings, and verses can offer comfort, direction, and spiritual strength in times of difficulty or confusion.

Moral and ethical basis: The Bible contains a wide range of moral and ethical teachings that have influenced Western ethics and morality throughout history. Many ethical principles and fundamental values, such as love of neighbor and the Ten Commandments, are derived from the Bible.

Literature and culture: The Bible has deeply influenced literature, art, music, and culture in general throughout the centuries. He has been a source of inspiration for poets, writers and artists around the world, and his stories and characters are widely known and referenced in popular culture.

History and archaeology: The Bible is also of historical and archaeological importance, containing stories that offer insights into the ancient history of the Near East region. Many events and places mentioned in the Bible have been confirmed by archaeological evidence, helping to better understand antiquity.

Religious unity and diversity: The Bible is a book that unites many different religious communities, as it is shared by Christians of various denominations and by Jews. Despite theological differences, the Bible remains a common reference point for these religious traditions.

Inspiration for social justice and change movements: Throughout history, the Bible has been used as a source of inspiration for social justice and civil rights movements. Leaders and activists have cited Scripture to advocate for equality, justice, and compassion.

 Structure of the Bible: it is divided into two main sections: the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament contains books that are shared by both Jews and Christians, while the New Testament is unique to Christianity.

Old Testament: includes books such as Genesis, Exodus, the Book of Psalms, and the Prophets. It contains stories of creation, the history of the patriarchs, the liberation of the Israelites from Egypt, and many laws and moral teachings.

New Testament: focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. It includes the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John), as well as the Acts of the Apostles and the Epistles (letters) written by the apostles. The book of Revelation is also part of the New Testament.

Differences between denominations: Although all Christians consider the Bible to be a central authority, there are differences in interpretation and canon between different Christian denominations. For example, the Catholic Bible includes additional books in the Old Testament that are not found in the Protestant Bible.

Spiritual Meaning: For believers, the Bible is the Word of God and a spiritual guide. They are used in worship, prayer, study and preaching to understand divine will and find comfort and direction in life.

Influence on culture and history: The Bible has had a profound influence on Western culture, literature, art, and music. It has been cited, interpreted and commented on by philosophers, writers and leaders throughout history.

Challenges and Criticism: Over the centuries, the Bible has also been the subject of criticism and challenges. Questions have been raised about its authorship, authenticity, historicity and relevance in modern society, debates that continue.

Translations: The Bible has been translated into numerous languages around the world so that people of different cultures and languages can access its teachings. Some of the best-known translations include the Reina-Valera in Spanish and the King James Version in English.

Academic Studies: In addition to its religious importance, the Bible is an object of academic study in fields such as theology, archaeology, history and literature. Scholars analyze biblical texts for historical and cultural understanding.

Current controversies: The Bible continues to be the subject of debates and controversies in today's society, especially on issues related to morality, ethics, sexuality and gender equality. Different interpretations of the Bible often play a role in these debates.
IA thinks: In summary, the excerpt from Juan Donoso Cortes' speech adds an interesting historical and literary perspective to the text, highlighting how the Bible has been a source of inspiration for many notable writers and poets throughout history. This further underlines the cultural and literary importance of the Bible. The text offers an overview of the Bible's relevance in society from various perspectives, including religion, culture, literature and history, and highlights how this book It has left a deep mark on humanity throughout the centuries.