A friend recently gave me a copy of Vishal Mangalwadi’s book The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization. The author does an excellent job in explaining, from an Indian viewpoint, how the Bible created liberty in the West. The following product description (which I found on the internet) provides a good overview of the book.

“Whether you're an avid student of the Bible or a skeptic of its relevance, The Book That Made Your World will transform your perception of its influence on virtually every facet of Western civilization.

Indian philosopher Vishal Mangalwadi reveals the personal motivation that fueled his own study of the Bible and systematically illustrates how its precepts became the framework for societal structure throughout the last millennium. From politics and science, to academia and technology, the Bible's sacred copy became the key that unlocked the Western mind.

Through Mangalwadi's wide-ranging and fascinating investigation, you'll discover:

• What triggered the West's passion for scientific, medical, and technological advancement
• How the biblical notion of human dignity informs the West's social structure and how it intersects with other worldviews
• How the Bible created a fertile ground for women to find social and economic empowerment
• How the Bible has uniquely equipped the West to cultivate compassion, human rights, prosperity, and strong families
• The role of the Bible in the transformation of education
• How the modern literary notion of a hero has been shaped by the Bible's archetypal protagonist

Journey with Mangalwadi as he examines the origins of a civilization's greatness and the misguided beliefs that threaten to unravel its progress. Learn how the Bible transformed the social, political, and religious institutions that have sustained Western culture for the past millennium, and discover how secular corruption endangers the stability and longevity of Western civilization.”

Endorsements:

“For too long now the West has flirted with a Naturalistic worldview that has jeopardized the most sacred aspects of life and living. Vishal shows how profoundly and meaningfully the Bible does have the prescription for bringing healing to the nations that have never known human dignity or social, economic, and political freedoms. (Ravi Zacharias, author, Walking from East to West and Beyond Opinion)

“In polite society, the mere mention of the Bible often introduces a certain measure of anxiety. A serious discussion on the Bible can bring outright contempt. Therefore, it is most refreshing to encounter this engaging and informed assessment of the Bible’s profound impact on the modern world. Where Bloom laments the closing of the American mind, Mangalwadi brings a refreshing optimism.” (Stanley Mattson, founder and president, C. S. Lewis Foundation)

“I have been a great Admirer of Vishal Mangalwadi, and his latest work only enhances my admiration. His uniquely Indian perspective on the centrality of the Bible for the development of the West and its emphasis on human dignity makes “The Book that Made Your World” essential reading for any thinking Christian. And its serves as a stark warning to the Western world that we forget the Bible and the Christian faith only at great peril to our liberty and even our survival.” (Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and the Colson Center for Christian Worldview.)