Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity Bethany House Publishers
December 5, 2017
Hardcover
240
Is God Dying?
That's what some people think and want. They say Christian beliefs and our way of life aren't relevant anymore. But what critics and even many churchgoers don't realize is the life-changing importance of Christianity.
Showing how the world would be a dark place without Christianity, Unimaginable guides you through the halls of history to see how Jesus' teachings dramatically changed our world and continue to be the most powerful force for good today. Learn . . .
My review:
What an amazing book! It was fascinating to learn more about what the world was like before Jesus came on the scene. Our view of God as loving is so opposite to how the Greeks and Romans viewed their gods, who were either indifferent or treated humans horribly. The world was a fearful place, with sickness and death rampant, women treated unjustly, slavery and superstition everywhere along with fear of death and the deceased. It was a common practice to abandon unwanted babies, mostly girls, to die of exposure, starvation or by wild animals. Racism was common. It truly sounded like a horrible time to live, for just about everyone. As Christianity rose and spread, these practices changed. Christians started caring for the sick and abandoned children, women were treated better, racism went down, etc., for hundreds of years.
The next section looked at some of the men born in the 1800's such as Darwin, Marx, Neitzsche and Freud who turned their backs on God and Christianity, embraced atheism and advanced their theories of racism, socialism, communism, etc. that men like Hitler, Stalin and others used to justify their murder of millions of people. The effect of their theories is still felt everywhere. It's amazing to me that people still think their ideas are the way to believe when you can see the outcome in history and where these ideas lead logically. If you believe in survival of the fittest and that there is no God, then how can you say there's a morality to abide by. You have nothing to base it on if not for God.
The final section looks at the amazing impact Christianity and faith based organizations have had on the world. From starting and maintaining hospitals to disaster relief, feeding the hungry in America and abroad, social programs, mental health programs, starting the first universities, etc. etc., the world would be a much darker place if not for Christians living out their faith in the past and continuing on today. This book really made me think of the deep and lasting impact Christianity has had on the world for good and appreciate the time and place in which I live. I recommend this book for everyone, Christian or not!
I received this book free from Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
Jeremiah J. Johnston, PhD, is a New Testament scholar and frequent contributor to national publications and shows, including USA Today, Fox News, CNN, Relevant, The Christian Post, and numerous other media outlets. Known for his unique communication skills and his infectious love for people, Jeremiah ministers internationally in partnership with the Museum of the Bible and is president of the Christian Thinkers Society, a resident institute at Houston Baptist University, where he serves as Associate Professor of Early Christianity. He is the author of Unanswered: Lasting Truth for Trending Questions. Jeremiah and his family live in Houston. Learn more at ChristianThinkers.com.
That's what some people think and want. They say Christian beliefs and our way of life aren't relevant anymore. But what critics and even many churchgoers don't realize is the life-changing importance of Christianity.
Showing how the world would be a dark place without Christianity, Unimaginable guides you through the halls of history to see how Jesus' teachings dramatically changed our world and continue to be the most powerful force for good today. Learn . . .
- How Christianity has stood against the evils of slavery (more than once), racism, eugenics, and injustices toward women and children
- Why democracy, freedom as a universal value, and modern education and legal systems owe much to Christianity
- How Christians throughout the ages have demonstrated the value of human life by sacrificially caring for the sick, handicapped, marginalized, and dying
- How people of faith are extending God's kingdom through charities, social justice efforts, mental health initiatives, and other profound ways
My review:
What an amazing book! It was fascinating to learn more about what the world was like before Jesus came on the scene. Our view of God as loving is so opposite to how the Greeks and Romans viewed their gods, who were either indifferent or treated humans horribly. The world was a fearful place, with sickness and death rampant, women treated unjustly, slavery and superstition everywhere along with fear of death and the deceased. It was a common practice to abandon unwanted babies, mostly girls, to die of exposure, starvation or by wild animals. Racism was common. It truly sounded like a horrible time to live, for just about everyone. As Christianity rose and spread, these practices changed. Christians started caring for the sick and abandoned children, women were treated better, racism went down, etc., for hundreds of years.
The next section looked at some of the men born in the 1800's such as Darwin, Marx, Neitzsche and Freud who turned their backs on God and Christianity, embraced atheism and advanced their theories of racism, socialism, communism, etc. that men like Hitler, Stalin and others used to justify their murder of millions of people. The effect of their theories is still felt everywhere. It's amazing to me that people still think their ideas are the way to believe when you can see the outcome in history and where these ideas lead logically. If you believe in survival of the fittest and that there is no God, then how can you say there's a morality to abide by. You have nothing to base it on if not for God.
The final section looks at the amazing impact Christianity and faith based organizations have had on the world. From starting and maintaining hospitals to disaster relief, feeding the hungry in America and abroad, social programs, mental health programs, starting the first universities, etc. etc., the world would be a much darker place if not for Christians living out their faith in the past and continuing on today. This book really made me think of the deep and lasting impact Christianity has had on the world for good and appreciate the time and place in which I live. I recommend this book for everyone, Christian or not!
I received this book free from Cross Focused Reviews in exchange for an honest review.
Jeremiah J. Johnston, PhD, is a New Testament scholar and frequent contributor to national publications and shows, including USA Today, Fox News, CNN, Relevant, The Christian Post, and numerous other media outlets. Known for his unique communication skills and his infectious love for people, Jeremiah ministers internationally in partnership with the Museum of the Bible and is president of the Christian Thinkers Society, a resident institute at Houston Baptist University, where he serves as Associate Professor of Early Christianity. He is the author of Unanswered: Lasting Truth for Trending Questions. Jeremiah and his family live in Houston. Learn more at ChristianThinkers.com.
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