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Point of Reference
by Fred Price
Many peoples have revered their elders and ancestors, feeling a keen connection with the men and women of their past. At times, this respect was expressed in extremes such as over-sensitivity to perceived insults and the virtual worship of their predecessors. Sadly, a proper identification with, alongside a balanced reverence for the accomplishments of our ancestors is largely missing today – even among Christians – putting us in danger of losing all respect for our heritage and having no real sense of what our legacy should be.
Many people have made transforming contributions in an endless array of endeavors throughout history and their names have been memorialized accordingly on monuments and in history books. But more than that, Jesus Christ has changed virtually every aspect of human life, a fact many don’t seem to know or care about these days.
Jesus said, “Behold, I make all things new.” Revelation 21:5 Paul confirming that with, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 Examining our Christian heritage is a good way to fully understand these truths. In fact, Jesus started making “all things new” right at his birth, as the world now divides time between B.C. – Before Christ and A.D. – Anno Domini, in the year of our Lord.
Yet some revile Christianity today, denigrating its past contributions to world history while blaming it for many of the difficulties presently bedeviling us all. And while the church was responsible for some misdeeds recorded throughout history, Christianity as a whole has done more for humanity than any other social, political or philosophical ideal offered as a remedy for mankind’s tendency to self-destruct. Are you aware of what they are? You have nothing to hang your head about and much to take pride in; not in self-satisfaction but through a sense of wonder and joy in who you are associated with and what you participate in.
What do I mean by heritage? Heritage is an idea and ideals, characteristics and traditions; a culture handed down and passed on from those who’ve gone before us – such as personal freedom from our “political family” – freedom from sin through our “spiritual family.” These are birthrights our ancestors dreamed of and worked to bring about (although the initial act of Christian grace has nothing to do with “work”), changing ideals into realities. Our heritage is written large throughout history, defining our personality as a people; who we were – who we are – and asking who we will become.
What about your legacy? What will people remember about you? In that remembrance, will they be inspired or embarrassed, challenged or take no notice at all? As Christians we need to step up, stand out and be proud of who we are and what has been accomplished, dedicating ourselves to vigorously living the life we are called to in Christ. To do so however, we must know who we were before we can know who to be. Of our ancestors it was said, “These men …have turned the world upside down…” (KJ) or, “..have caused trouble all over the world.” (NIV) Which is it? Can you foster change, turn things upside down and be perceived as doing good? Yes – but often you will be seen as a rabble-rouser and a trouble-maker. You must be prepared to battle long and hard just to know the facts concerning many issues and then be willing to live according to your convictions despite strong opposition.
What are the facts concerning the impact of Christianity on civilization? You would expect religion to speak to ethical and moral issues, and the church certainly has and does; while the morality of any society can be quickly ascertained by the view it holds of human life. Christianity’s impact on the issues involving the sanctity of life are centered on Genesis 1:27, “…God created man in his own image;…” This gives every single person eternal value, which was a profoundly new perspective on humanity. Many of the ancients practiced child sacrifice; many more practiced “natural” selection. If a child was born imperfect, or there was already too many in a family, if it was a girl instead of a boy – it was “exposed” to the elements or left in the woods to die. Disappointing or burdensome children could be sold into slavery or married off at an incredibly early age. Abortion in its crudest forms was not uncommon.
Christians on the other hand taught that life was to be cherished – each life – regardless of circumstances. As such, many abandoned children were gathered up and raised as gifts from God. Because of the early church’s influence, abortion virtually disappeared in many areas as did abandonment and infanticide. The cry went out ‘Bring them to us’ as the church founded orphanages or foundling homes and nurseries.
Life in general was cheap, men being used as beasts of burden or ready sources of cannon fodder in war, women often considered mere property to be used or bartered over, sometimes "loaned" out for others gratification or cast out if she failed to please in any way. Yet in Christ, “there is neither …male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28; deserving of the same respect and opportunities as our counterparts and companions.
The elderly were often a burden, allowed and even encouraged to die. But what qualifies anyone to decide who is or isn’t leading a productive life, designating others as burdensome and no longer worthy of respect and support? Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus state the Christian ideal for the treatment of our elders, which is grounded in the Old Testament expectation of Leviticus 19:32. “Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly…”, honoring those in whose charge we’ve been placed. (Exodus 20:12, Matthew 15:4, Ephesians 6:2)
Slavery fostered the idea that men and women were expendable commodities, available for use however their conqueror or owner saw fit. In America, some used scripture to validate slavery, yet Christians were prime movers in its elimination. So why didn’t the church outlaw it immediately, why didn’t Christ condemn it and call for its abrupt removal? In part because there were too many people to turn out into the streets. Athens, a typical slave-owning city of its day, had a slave population that at times outnumbered its freemen 3 to 1. Much later, it was still common in the American South for any one particular region supporting 8 million people to have 5 million of them residing as slaves. However well-intended, where would they all go, what would they do? Paul’s letter to Philemon showed the gradual approach that could have made a profound difference if earnestly practiced. As a slave-owning Christian, Philemon was instructed by Paul to accept the return of a runaway slave Paul had come to know and love, while Onesimus – the slave – had been instructed to return to his master; accepting each other as dear brothers worthy of respect and obedience. (See also 1 Corinthians 7:21-23; Ephesians 6:5-9 & 1 Timothy 6:1,2) If men genuinely treated each other as beloved brothers, slavery could no longer exist.
The gladiatorial “games” were vicious and inhumane spectacles. It is significant that many of the first Christians were victims of them and that the first Christian Emperor, Constantine, outlawed them.
Believe it or not, cannibalism was a fairly common practice; sometimes out of hunger, more often from the belief that partaking of the flesh of a slain enemy imparted some of his skill and courage on to the victor. With the spread of the Christian concept of the sanctity of life, this essentially stopped.
Suicide, within a number of societies, was quite common. Besides the “burdensome” old, disillusioned young people and failed mid-lifers were often encouraged to end it all and get out of the way of progress as well. Christianity changed that by stressing individual worth and the ability of all people to contribute to society regardless of their circumstances and capabilities, the redemptive power of Christ opening up the possibility for everyone to change their circumstances and enhance their capabilities.
Check back next week for more examples of our Christian heritage that impacted society profoundly – and more challenges to develop a strong Christian legacy that will continue to do so.
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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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