A Brief Book Notice from Books At a Glance
A fascinating, informed investigation of the difference Christianity has made in the world.
Table of Contents
Foreword by Paul Maier
Introduction
1 People Transformed by Jesus Christ
2 The Sanctification of Human Life
3 Christianity Elevates Sexual Morality
4 Women Receive Freedom and Dignity
5 Charity and Compassion: Their Christian Connection
6 Hospitals and Health Care: Their Christian Roots
7 Christianity’s Imprint on Education
8 Labor and Economic Freedom Dignified
9 Science: Its Christian Connections
10 Liberty and Justice for All
11 Slavery Abolished: A Christian Achievement
12 Christianity’s Stamp on Art and Architecture
13 The Sound of Music: Its Christian Resonance
14 Hallmarks of Literature: Their Christian Imprint
15 Additional Influence: Holidays, Words, Symbols, and Expressions
Selected Quotes
- The lives that [Jesus] transformed in turn changed and transformed much of the world: its morals, ethics, health care, education, economics, science, law, the fine arts, and government. (16)
- In time, the Christian moral posture prompted the Western world to condemn and outlaw adultery, pedophilia, adult homosexual behavior, and bestiality. Again, the moral teachings of Jesus Christ made a significant and salutary difference, this time by elevating sexual behavior to a level far above paganism. (93)
- Before Christianity arrived, century upon century had brought little or no freedom or dignity to women in any pagan culture. (122)
- History shows that early Christians not only opposed abortion, infanticide, and abandoning infants, but they also nurtured and cared for the sick, regardless of who they were. Christian or pagan, it made no difference to them. (151)
- In short, the great emphasis on liberty and justice in the United States is not mere happenstance. It exists because the American architects of liberty and justice were influenced to a large degree by Christianity’s biblical values and beliefs. (270)
- With regard to Christianity’s influence on architecture, it is especially the Gothic style of the European cathedrals that remains an unequaled accomplishment, and it has left a magnanimous, abiding impression on much of the world. (312)
- For centuries both sacred and secular music in Western society, much of it written by Christians or by musicians influenced by Christianity, had a highly edifying effect on people. But with the continued growth of secularization and relativism, there has been a steep and rapid decline in the wholesomeness and beauty of music. (341)
Buy the books
UNDER THE INFLUENCE: HOW CHRISTIANITY TRANSFORMED CIVILIZATION, by Alvin J. Schmidt