Christianity is worth fighting for. There is so much that we owe to Christianity, it can be described as a debt that many in the world are either naïve or blatantly ignorant about.
It is not popular to acknowledge that the modern society ought to be in gratitude to Christianity. Responses to this fact often range from dismissiveness to lies and rage.
The Western world is much better off because of Christianity.
Marriage
In the 12th century, the church declared that marriage would be a sacrament that involved the mutual consent of both the man and woman. This has developed to be one of the greatest protections for women, preventing girls from being married off to the highest bidder.
Despite growing acceptance of homosexual marriage and promiscuity, the notion of consent remains a central tenet of our society – a fact that has been highlighted by the recent #MeToo movement against non-consensual sexual interactions.
Speaking of sexual harassment, if our culture returned to Godly Christian values regarding sexual interactions, one would be certain that a lot less men and women would be suffering from the trauma of abuse.
Education
Education is accepted as a human right across the world and governments now provide secular schooling for children in many countries.
But looking back through history especially in the United States, education was made compulsory for students so they might be able to read the Bible. The Massachusetts “Deluder Satan Act” in 1647 transferred the responsibility of education from parents to the community schoolmasters which were able to provide a higher level of teaching.
Prestigious universities such as Harvard were also founded with statements such as “Let every Student be plainly instructed, and earnestly pressed to consider well, the maine end of his life and studies is, to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life…”
Economy
The prosperity enjoyed in the Western world has often been attributed to capitalism, which was highlighted by the collapse of the communist Soviet Union at the end of the Cold War. Despite common (mis)understandings that capitalism is merely about the pursuit of profit, our modern society ought to be grateful for the Christian work ethic that underlies most of the world’s economies.
Being able to control and own private property is a core tenet of capitalism that has its roots in Biblical teaching. Proverbs chapter 10 verse 4 states that “lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth”. Also in Matthew chapter 25 verses 14 to 30, Jesus teaches that it is the responsibility of Christians as stewards of what God has provided us to maximise it before the owner’s return.
Economic competition encourages each one of us to create more wealth ultimately leading to a more prosperous society. This includes provision for the poor, as Christians are also called to be charitable.
Science
Even science has a debt to Christianity, contrary to what many perceive. Western science and the pursuit of understanding the universe began with the accepted basis that God was the creator of everything. It is only because that God created it all, that it would be worth contemplating.
Seeking out the universe was indeed related to the search for God. And about God’s creation, it is timely that we are reminded that mankind has been created in the image of God and that we should not be divided on the intersection lines among identity politics.
Even Revered Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights activism echoed the sentiment of the Bible that we are all equal human beings. Galatians chapter 3 verse 28 tells us that “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 is the foundation for our culture
In everything from sexual relationships, literacy, and economics to science; the role of Christianity cannot be understated. It is on the shoulders of Jesus Christ that much of what we enjoy in our world today has been built. The practice of Christianity and Godly values is something that is worth fighting for.
Roydon Ng is a Christian writer from Western Sydney.
Roydon Ng’s previous articles may be viewed at http://blog.roydonng.com.au