What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?

mattstone.blogs.com

Luke 2:4-7: “So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child. While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.

What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?
Summarized from 

What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?

 by D. James Kennedy & Jerry Newcomb

 and

 Faith Facts: Christ and the Culture

If Jesus had never been born, would we still have~

Women slaves? If Jesus had never been born, women would still be slaves of free men. Christian missionaries were a major influence in stopping these century-old practices and ideas.

Killing of children? The early Christian church brought an end to the killing of one’s own children that was once considered an act of beauty.

Gladiators? A 5th century monk, Telemachus is credited as being the pivotal force ending the gladiator spectacles.

Slavery? Although many committed Christians owned slaves in history, it was Christians who historians credit with being the primary force behind ending international slave trade. (Two-thirds of the members of the American abolition society in 1835 were Christian ministers.)

Cannibalism? Missionary followers of Jesus are credited with stopping cannibalism in many primitive societies.

Compassion and Mercy? An important aspect to Jesus’ ministry was his emphasis on helping the neediest and lowliest in society. For example, his Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37) is a classic illustration that is still part of our language today. Mother Theresa, the Salvation Army, religious hospitals, and church supported soup kitchens and thrift shops in every community do their work in the name of Jesus. Jesus has had such an enormous impact on charity that one wonders how different things would be if he had never been born.

Santa Claus? Santa Claus points back to Christ. St. Nick unquestionably arose within the Christian tradition.

Education? From the beginning of Judaism, from which Christianity is derived, there was an emphasis on the written word. But the phenomenon of education for the masses has its roots in the Protestant Reformation. In America, the first law to require education of the masses was passed by the Puritans. For the first 200 years in America, children’s reading instruction was in the Bible.

Universities? All but one of the first 123 colleges in colonial America were Christian institutions. While these universities have lost their Christian identities, it is interesting to read the founding statements of these schools. Harvard, for example, was founded on this statement: "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 eternall life, John 17:3."

Printing Press? In order to promote Bible literacy, Christians have been leaders in education. This trend was accelerated with the advent of the printing press at about the same time as the Protestant Reformation. Many of the world’s languages were first set to writing by Christian missionaries in order for people to read the Bible.

Government?

At least 50 of the 55 signers of the U.S. Constitution were orthodox Christians. The Rule of Law rather than the authority of man traces back to the Old Testament, beginning with the Ten Commandments. The idea that all men are created equal as enshrined in the Declaration of Independence is a Biblical doctrine. The Declaration of Independence recognizes self-evident truths and unalienable rights from the Creator. Fair trials with witnesses have numerous Old and New Testament support. The slogan on the Liberty Bell is "Proclaim Liberty throughout the land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof" is from Leviticus 15:10.

Scientific Law? Christianity is based on the notion that there exists a rational God who is the source of rational truth. This gave rise to the possibility of scientific laws.

Scientists? Nearly all the founders of modern science were Christians. These include men such as Keppler, Boyle, Pascal, Pasteur, Newton, and numerous others.

Private property rights? Ten Commandments in Exodus 20:15, 17 (Thou shalt not steal? Thou shalt not covet.")--as well as to other passages from the Old and New Testaments.

Work ethic? Principles that were always in the Bible were adapted by the American founders. Self-reliance and self-denial are the foundation of the famous "Protestant work ethic." These doctrines are at the heart of our economic (and political) way of life.

Free Enterprise? Anyone who doubts the relationship of Biblical ideas to free enterprise need only to note the stark contrast with communism. Communism is specifically an atheistic system that relies on the non-biblical notion that all men are good (thus will work for the common good). But communism has been an abject economic failure.

Literature? The Christian faith has influenced literature in such Christian writers such as Dante, Chaucer, Donne, Dostoevsky, Shakespeare, Dickens, Milton, and scores more.

Music? Had Jesus never been born, music would likely sound very different from what we’re used to. There may never have developed the cantata, the concerto, or the symphony. Handel, Vivaldi, and Bach were Christians who worked to honor God with their work. Bach, for example, signed all his works with Soli Deo Gloria ("Solely to the glory of God").

Art? Art has likewise been magnificently impacted by Jesus. Classical Christian art tries to bring out the best of mankind--pointing us to a higher plane. Artists like Michelangelo used his paintings to honor Jesus. Incredible architecture in the beautiful cathedrals in Europe were built to honor Christ.

So, in a time when Christians are under attack, belittled, and criticized, they can still stand proud. Without Jesus, our world would be a different place where few would want to live.

Merry CHRISTmas.