Identifying Books that Chronicle the Impact of Jesus and Christianity on Civilization

Several Christmas hymns speak of the impact of Christ’s advent on the nations and history. Of course personal salvation is paramount in the carols, but references are often found to the transformation of civilization. Yes it begins with a baby’s birth but points to a king’s reign. That “in His name all oppression shall cease” is part of the reason for joy.

A new documentary is out (God and Country) on the theme of “Christian Nationalism” that is perhaps done with an agenda by some in politics to scare Christians away from being involved. Even if not for that purpose, perhaps many would support its wrong-headed themes simply because they do not understand historic Christianity’s emphasis on societal transformation.

The gospel of better government

In the Gospels the word “church” is found only two times, but the word “kingdom” is found well over a hundred times. The good news of the kingdom was the primary message of Jesus. To most people who heard it at that time it did NOT mean only a personal individualistic reign of God. All governments in the nations at that time had kingdoms ruled by monarchs and emperors. There was no other model of governance. So the word was equivalent to the word “government” in everyone’s thinking.

To say a new government was coming was indeed good news at that time (and often today) because most people chafed under corrupt oppressive human governments. It is a message that attracts multitudes today in the same way. Almost every new political message today offers “change” in governance. It was also one of the resons that many were drawn to Jesus.

Jesus spoke of a government (i.e. kingdom) of God or a government (i.e. kingdom) of heaven. Our modern mind spiritualizes this and says it has little to do with real world politics. But that is not what was meant. Kingdom of heaven simply meant a higher or supreme government that had power over all below. It would not be irrelevant to earthly governance; just the opposite.

Advent and Transformation

So the birth of Christ was (among other things) about new governance in all things. This is truly “joy to the world.” Of course, until Christ’s Second Advent, a perfect world is not possible. But until He returns our mission remains to do all in our power to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” The disciples asked Jesus during the days after his resurrection if the restoration of Israel’s government was at hand (Acts 1:6). It was totally logical based on the previous messages, and with supportive proof of the risen Jesus as Messiah. Jesus did not rebuke nor ignore the question. He answered it but not in terms of when it would come, but rather how.

He said by the assistance of the Holy Spirit in the lives of His disciples his government would come. But He enlarged their paradigm: it was not only for Israel, but also to the “ends of the earth” – to all nations. The great 17th century Bible commentator Matthew Henry said that the meaning of the Great Commission in Matthew 28 was to “make the nations Christian nations.” This was the thought of the Pilgrims and the Colonial clergy and the Founding Fathers and abolitionist activists of previous centuries. It is what infused almost every significant reform movement of Europe and of America. (Of course modern social media and corrupt academia will ignore that hisotry and simply focus on Christians who support Trump or something extreme, and falsely posit it as a ‘danger to democracy’.)

Documenting Christian Impact on Nations in History

Over the years I have personallly collected (or at least read) a variety of books that chronicle or highlight the impact of Jesus, Christianity and the Bible on civilization. Of course, there are multitudes of books that do so in a micro perspective – one nation or even one person in a specific segment of time. But recently I was pondering what books give a larger macro view of this impact. I have listed a few below with some comments. I strongly request my readers to add to this list.

I would like to create a suggested library of reading on the topic. We live in an era where many governments and institutions of higher learning have abandoned all defense of Judeo-Christian civilization because of their false accusations of systemic racism and other ways to rationalize their attempt to “throw out the baby with the bath water.”

I highly recommend the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC. Visitors should especially take time to go through its exhibit on The Impact of the Bible. It documents how Christians and the Bible have shaped history, government and politics, religious liberty, cultural movements, film, music, literature, fashion, and more.

My own books have tried to provide some evidence of the impact on Christians on America in America’s Providential History. I do some of the same in my other books designed more for global audiences in National Transformation and a 5-book series entitled Christ’s Strategy to Disciple Nations. My books promote the Biblical ideas of social transformation all in the context of democratic pluralism – no coercive imposition of laws (as critics imagine Christians will attempt if they are in power).

Antidote for Spiritual Amnesia

Our present generation suffers from spiritual amnesia regarding our nation’s Christian history. And even more so in Europe. I highly recommend we take an inventory of such books and historical sources we can find. In the section below for paid subscribers I have started a list of books (with some of my brief notes on each one) that document how Christianity has transformed civilization. Join now to read it and reply to add your own suggestions to the list.

If we do nothing then the false re-writing of our history will win. During this Christmas season let us gain renewed commitment as we sing in the carols of the historical truth that Jesus brings “to the world” and through Christ alone that “….ye nations rise.”