12. The Christian Revolution: Why the cross changed the world
Feb 6, 2024
auto_awesome
The Christian Revolution: Why the cross changed the world explores the impact of early Christianity in reshaping human values, such as equality and compassion. It discusses how the crucifixion story of Jesus, despite being seen as foolishness, became a powerful symbol of self-giving love. The podcast also delves into the compassionate response of early Christians towards infant exposure, their establishment of public hospitals, and influence on the nursing profession. Additionally, it addresses the vision of a multicultural church, the failure of Western churches in embracing this idea, and the transformative power of belief in angels.
Early Christians revolutionized the treatment of the sick and vulnerable by establishing hospitals and caring for abandoned children, inspired by the example of Jesus.
Christianity played a significant role in undermining and eventually abolishing slavery by urging fair and loving treatment of slaves and condemning slavery as categorically wrong.
By recognizing the inherent worth and dignity of every human life, Christians transformed societal attitudes toward disabled and unwanted children, founding public hospitals and opposing the practice of exposing infants.
Deep dives
The Christian response to plagues and disease
In the ancient world, Christians responded to plagues and diseases by caring for the sick, even at the risk of their own lives. They established hospitals, cared for abandoned children, and nursed the vulnerable back to health. Their compassionate actions were inspired by the example of Jesus, who humbly served others and sacrificed himself for their well-being. By creating a culture of love and care, Christians revolutionized the way society approached the treatment of the sick and vulnerable.
The trajectory toward the abolition of slavery
Although the Bible does not explicitly denounce the institution of slavery, the trajectory toward its abolition is evident throughout the Christian revolution. Early Christians undermined the foundations of slavery by urging masters to treat their slaves with fairness and love, treating slaves as brothers and sisters in Christ. Over time, Christian thinkers like Gregory of Nyssa boldly condemned slavery as categorically wrong, questioning the exchange of money for the image of God. Christians played a significant role in undermining and eventually abolishing the institution of slavery.
The transformation of attitudes toward disabled and unwanted children
Christianity brought about a radical transformation in society's treatment of disabled and unwanted children. In ancient times, infanticide and exposure of infants was common and widely accepted. However, Christians saw the inherent worth and dignity of every human life as all being made in the image of God. They founded the first public hospitals, caring for and raising abandoned children, and opposing the horrific practice of exposing infants. Christians recognized the divine spark in even the most vulnerable, and the compassion revolution they embodied transformed societal attitudes toward the disabled and unwanted children.
The role of Christianity in changing societal norms
Throughout history, Christianity has often challenged societal norms and advocated for justice and equality. Christians have played a pivotal role in reforming social practices, such as abolishing slavery, caring for the sick, and protecting vulnerable populations. By embodying the values of love, compassion, and justice, Christianity has provided a moral framework for societal transformation and has inspired individuals to advocate for the dignity and equality of all people.
The Power of Christian Faith in Enslaved Africans
During the period of slavery in America, enslaved Africans found solace and freedom in their Christian faith. They would gather together under hush arbors, hidden from their white owners, where they would read the Bible and learn about their emancipation and freedom in God. Christianity gave enslaved people a sense of solidarity and courage in the fight for their liberation. The Bible became their weapon against oppression, leading many enslaved individuals to leverage their faith in courts to fight for their freedom.
Christianity's Role in Abolition and Civil Rights Movements
Christianity played a pivotal role in the abolitionist and civil rights movements. It gave moral capital and inspiration to those fighting for freedom, both black and white. The Bible's message of equality and liberation, from the Exodus to the teachings of Paul, provided a foundation for these movements. Christianity empowered enslaved persons to challenge their masters, with many slave masters even preventing the preaching of the gospel to maintain control. Despite attempts to suppress the true message, the power of the Christian narrative fueled the fight for equality and dignity among oppressed people.
The early Christian claim that the God-man Jesus had been crucified for the sake of the world was 'foolishness' to the Greco-Roman world. Yet this countercultural belief in a God of sacrificial love ended up reshaping our instincts about human value, equality and compassion.
Justin resumes his conversation with Tom Holland alongside other historians and thinkers on how early Christianity contributed to the end of child exposure, the rise of adoption, hospitals and healthcare, and a path towards the abolition of slavery. Holland also shares how an experience in a ruined church in Iraq left a profound impact on him.
