How Christianity Changed the World Transformed lives : 1…of the disciples… 2…of the early persecuted Christians… 3…of 2,000 years of history… Refer to “Foxe’s Book of Martyrs” & “Jesus Freaks” for specific accounts of Christian persecutions. Pass out “Early Christianity Under Roman Emperors” sheets

How Christianity Changed the World Education: Acts 5:42 & Matthew 28:19,20 & Galatian 3:28 Universities…. Harvard’s 1636 rules said “Let every student be plainly instructed & earnestly pressed to consider well the main end of his life & studies is to know God and Jesus Christ which is eternal life (John 17:3)…” Pass out “Milestones in Education: Christianity’s Influence”

How Christianity Changed the World Science: As of right now, how many of you think science & Christianity are at odds? How old is modern science? Alfred North Whitehead, the renowned philosopher of science, said… According to Aristotle… Pass out “Christian Advocates of Scientific Knowledge” sheet

How Christianity Changed the World Charity & Compassion: Transfer yourself back to the ancient world… A. Charity to orphans (see www.orphanage.org for a list of orphanages throughout the world. Notice how many of them have Christian names). B. Charity to the aged C. Charity by American voluntary associations D. Child labor laws E. Hospitals & health care Pass out “Development & Maintenance of Christian Charity & Compassion” sheet and “Origin & Development of Hospitals” sheet

How Christianity Changed the World Liberty and Justice for all: From the US Supreme Court “Holy Trinity” decision in 1892…“This is true. From the discovery of this continent to the present hour…These and many other matters…add a volume of unofficial declarations to the Mass of organic utterances that this is a Christian nation”. B. Pass out “Liberty & Justice” sheet. C. Pass out “The American Philosophy of Government” sheet

How Christianity Changed the World Labor & Economic Freedom: How do we view physical labor today? Like an carpenter or an assembly line worker? Is all work considered honorable? Remember, in ancient times, 95% of people were poor & 5% were rich whereas today in the USA, 20% are rich, 70% are middle class & 10% are poor. See “Perspectives of Labor & Economics” sheet

How Christianity Changed the World Property Rights & Individual Freedom: Exodus 20:15, 17…both of these commandments assume the person has the right & freedom to acquire, retain & sell his own property. Matthew 20:15 and Acts 5:1-4 also support this. Is it a coincidence that the greatest amount of freedom & economic prosperity exists in countries where Christianity has had a significant influence?

How Christianity Changed the World Slavery Abolished: Slavery in the world Christianity was the 1st major religion to oppose slavery….see Galatians 3:28 While some believers have approved of slavery in the past, the majority have always spoken out against it. Pass out “Some Prominent American Abolitionists” sheet

How Christianity Changed the World Sanctity of Human Life: 1…Infanticide 2…Child Abandonment 3…Abortion 4…Gladiatorial Games… 5…Child Sacrifice 6…Suicide Pass out “Mores of Human Life” sheet

How Christianity Changed the World Sexuality Morality Elevated: How sexual were ancient peoples? Adultery… Homosexuality… Pass out “The Morality of Sex and Marriage” sheet

How Christianity Changed the World The status of women in ancient history… Greek women… Roman women… Christianity and women… Pass out “The Role and Status of Women” sheets

How Christianity Changed the World The Christian Connection to Common Words and Symbols sheet Christian Derivation of Expressions and Sayings sheet Christian Art and Architecture sheet The Progress of Music During the Christian Era Some Literary Hallmarks

How Christianity Changed the World References: Books… A. How Christianity Changed the World by Dr. Alvin Schmidt B. What’s So Great about Christianity by Dinesh D’Souza C. Christianity on Trial by Vincent Carroll & David Shiflett Websites… A. http://www.faithfacts.org/christ-and-the-culture/the-impact-of-christianity#Marriage-and-Family B. B. http://www.probe.org/site/c.fdKEIMNsEoG/b.4220739/k.E4FC/The_Social_and_Historical_Impact_of_Christianity.htm