Brad Alles

As we finish this blog series on the Christian worldview of history, let’s consider the impact of Christianity on the planet.  Recently, an outspoken atheist, Penn Gillette (of the magicians Penn & Teller), was asked a question by a rabbi.  The rabbi asked if the world would be a better place if 1 billion of the near 2 billion Muslims on the planet converted to Christianity.  Even though Mr. Gillette had been stating that religions are the reason for the world’s sorry state, he was thoughtful and unwavering in his reply: he said the world would be a better place if over half the Muslims converted to Christianity.  Why would this antagonistic atheist say such a thing?  Because he was intellectually honest enough to admit the truth.

The truth is that Christianity has changed the world for the better.  History records that.  You can see for yourself in the excellent book by Alvin Schmidt, How Christianity Changed the World.  Here’s what the book covers:

– People were transformed
– Human life was protected
– Sexual morals were elevated
– Charity and compassion were spread
– Women’s dignity was developed
– Hospitals and health care were established
– Education, science, and labor was improved
– Liberty and justice prevailed
– Arts, music,  and literature were impacted

Even though there is no perfect person, family, church, school, company, city, or nation, the world is infinitely better since Christ rose and His followers changed the world.

Sadly, there are people who insist that their worldview is better and that we can make a perfect society.  These people need to look at history and honestly assess the situation as Penn Gillette did.   Imperfect people will never produce a perfect world.  Only a perfect God can—it’s called heaven.

As this blog series ends, let us consider what the future holds.  It is not a man-made utopia; it is either heaven with God, accessible only through faith in Christ, or eternal separation from God in hell due to our sin.   2 Peter 3:10-13 says,

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.