Dr. Jeremiah Johnston addresses the question “Is Christianity still good for the world?” from a cultural and historical perspective.
According to a Pew Research survey, most atheists and agnostics believe the Church contributes little or nothing to the world. Jeremiah refutes this notion in his book, Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity:
“Christianity has been a force for good in our world. The evidence is simply overwhelming.”
Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28 were revolutionary in the culture in which he lived: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Christianity, wherever it takes root, influences culture. It heals racism, promotes charity and justice, supports gender equality, and embraces the value of life. The opposite is also true. Where Christianity has been unwelcome, people are dehumanized, society becomes nihilistic, and there is no clear purpose for life. Jeremiah explains,
“Every time history repeats itself, we pay a higher price. Yet, we are living in the golden age of Christianity. There is more evidence for our faith than at any other time. My challenge and my prayer for all of us is that we will apply John 1:5: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’”
While the majority of growth in the faith is not currently coming from the Western world, it’s an exciting time for Christians living in the West. We have an untapped mission field all around us.