How has the Bible shaped the Western world—even for people who have never read it? In The Most Influential Book You’ve Never Read, David Taylor explores the Bible’s influence on Western civilization, human dignity, justice, equality, law, education, science, compassion and our understanding of humanity.

Beginning with Jesus’ words in Matthew 22—“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s”—David focuses on Genesis 1:27 and the truth that every person is made in the image of God, or Imago Dei.

If a coin bears Caesar’s image, what does it mean that you bear the image of God?

This message examines how the biblical view of human worth has shaped ideas of justice, equality, servant leadership, freedom of conscience, repentance, redemption and care for the vulnerable. David also considers the Bible’s impact on education, universities, science, art, language, law, hospitals and social compassion.

From the prophets confronting kings to Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, this sermon asks whether Western society can preserve its moral values after abandoning the biblical story from which many of them emerged.

Ultimately, this is a message about your worth before God. You were made in His image. You have value. You are loved—and so is every person around you.