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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
John Adams wrote F.A. Vanderkemp in 1809 insisting that, “…the Hebrews have done more to civilize man than any other nation.” Further asserting that beyond being a civilizing influence on other nations, they had preserved and promoted, “…the doctrine of a supreme, intelligent, wise, and mighty sovereign of the universe, which (he believed) to be the great essential principle of all morality, and consequently of all civilization.” A view shared by many of his time.
Thomas Cahill’s studiously researched book, The Gifts of The Jews,1 reinforces this argument; explaining how this ancient, nomadic, desert tribe helped introduce to humanity a sense of history’s past, present and future. This idea that history is going somewhere was crucial to mankind’s development in general and later, to Western Thought in particular. Most ancient people believing time was cyclical, as do many practitioners of Eastern philosophy today, espousing Karma and reincarnation with their ideals expressed in birth, death and rebirth.
Another essential principle of monotheistic Judaism being: Humans matter. Individual humans. All humans. And even though the God of the Hebrew/Israeli people had a global, even a cosmic plan, he still involved humans as history-shaping participants; which was an entirely new and profound way of experiencing reality. For people who had always been held in subjection by the idea that they were mere pawns of fate or at least at the mercy of the whims of multiple gods, the idea that they could be partners – so to speak – of the One True God was truly radical. Such was the legacy of Judaism and the heritage of Christianity.
First, to address the concerns of some, it must be admitted that horrendous, anti-Christian actions have been committed in the name of Christ; such as the Crusades, the Inquisition, witch-hunting and the so-called wars of religion between Catholics and Protestants in Europe – causing God’s name to be “blasphemed among the Gentiles.” Romans 2:24 But beyond the mis-informed, ignorant, self-serving actions of some in the church, has Christianity gifted the world as well? Arch-Atheist Christopher Hitchens would have us believe “religion poisons everything.” A statement both vague and lopsided. Even atheist-philosopher Walter Sinnot-Armstrong citing this statement as “inaccurate and insulting.”
Why? Because historians have systematically documented the values of human rights, tolerance and social justice as legacies of the Judeo/Christian faith system. For all its flaws, the church – not always the institution but the people it’s made up of – has played a huge and important part in inaugurating the benefits so many people have been blessed by, even as it inspires others to keep working to achieve and apply them. The motivation behind much of this progress being devotion to Christ, love of Him overflowing into the lives of others, all of which being done for the glory of God.
Some of the world-wide benefits researchers attribute directly to Christian principles and influence are: The eradication of slavery, which began dwindling as the Christian world-view spread beyond Rome into “barbarian” Europe; virtually disappearing by the Middle Ages. When it reappeared, most notably in England and America among the aristocratic plantation owners, it was strongly rebuffed by many – if not most – other Christian leaders such as Richard Baxter, John Wesley and William Wilberforce. (Even as some used scripture to keep the slaves cowed and under control.)
The practice of infanticide, common among Greeks, Romans and others throughout the European continent, began dwindling as well through the preaching of the Christian value system, which held that each soul had worth and was deserving of protection and promotion; many orphanages and “foundling homes” being established as a result of Christian compassion and love for “the least of these.”
Likewise, the gladiatorial games were outlawed in the late fourth and early fifth centuries. The obvious brutality of such “entertainment” being clear to most everyone, more so as Christian thought permeated society. (Christians having had first-hand experience of such spectacles, at times being victims of these atrocities alongside slaves, criminals and other marginalized citizens of Roman culture.
With the emphasis on loving one’s neighbor, Christians were among the first to develop true healthcare, building hospitals and hopices in virtually every city with a church. The beginnings of a “professional” nursing corps initially started through the compassion expressed by Florence Nightingale for the wounded, sick and destitute of European battlefields. The Red Cross designed to meet the needs of those who were victims of natural disasters and tragedy.
The rights and status of women were, contrary to popular opinion, greatly elevated by Christian thought and practice. Jesus’ relationship with women – some of which is recorded in John 4 and Luke 10:38-42 – along with Paul’s expressions of solidarity and appreciation for the many women partnering in his ministry – as recoded in Romans 16 – went a long way in setting a new standard within the church and beyond. (The ideal not always met but still striven for.)
The great universities of Europe and America, including the Sorbonne, Oxford, Harvard, Yale and Princeton, were originally established by Christians. A major impetus to education being the conviction that every believer should be able to study the scriptures for themselves.
Augustine’s City of God, Eusebus’ Ecclesiastical History, Dante’s Comedy and Milton’s Paradise Lost are world-renowned pieces of literature inspired by faith, as were works by J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, Flannery O’Connar, Aleksander Solzenitzen and many more today.
The fields of philosophy and theology were developed by believers such as Augustine, Anselm, Aquinas, Pascal, Keirkgaard and Johnathan Edwards.
Art, architecture and sculpture grew to prominence under the auspices of the church through the genius of men like Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Rubens, et al.
Classical music often came from the hearts, minds and souls of Christians such as Bach, Handel, Mendelssohn and Hayden. Hymn writers like the Wesley’s, Fanny Crosby and many more, contributed greatly to worship while contemporary performers – secular and sacred alike – add variety and beauty to life today.
And then there’s science – of all things – whose disciplines often had their genesis in the biblical conviction that the world was created by a rational God, and was therefore orderly, predictable, dependable, observable and understandable. Many Christian scientists leading the way to profound discoveries, such as Isaac Newton, Galileo Galilei, Nicholas Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Michael Faraday, William Kelvin, Robert Boyle, Anton Lavoisier and others – up to and including today.
Last but not least, the ideals that raise civilization to its greatest heights: democracy, political freedom, concern for the poor, human rights; are grounded in the biblical ideal that all humans are made in God’s image, and that they thus have worth and should be treated with dignity and respect.2
Check back next week for more on the undeniable benefits of faith.
1Mr. Cahill’s book, Gifts of the Jews, subtitled, How A Tribe of Desert Nomads Changed the Way Everyone Thinks and Feels, was a national best-seller and is published by Anchor Books
2From Paul Capon’s book, Is God a Moral Monster? subtitled, Making Sense of the Old Testament God, published by Baker Books
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Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.
Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker. He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today. Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.
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