The Lord
be with you
In
2004, Zondervan Publishing House rereleased Alvin Schmidt’s book Under the Influence:
How Christianity Transformed Civilization under a new title How
Christianity Changed the World. I read the book awhile back and found it to
be very well-written and very informative; “two thumbs-up.” While looking for
something else, I stumbled across the following review of Schmidt’s book. Instead
of “someday” getting around to writing one myself, I thought I’d just post this
one. I’m not sure if Zondervan is still publishing the book or not. Ten years
is a long time for a book to remain in print in our modern age. But if they
aren’t carrying it anymore, I’m sure you can find a copy on abebooks.com or Amazon.
As you read the review just remember, every time you read Under the
Influence translate that in your mind to How Christianity Changed the
World.
Volume
69:3/4
July/October
2004
Under
the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization.
By
Alvin J. Schmidt.
Grand
Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House, 2001.423 Pages.
Christianity
is unique among world religions. While most religions claim an idea, a book, or
a philosophy as their foundation, Christianity sprouts from a more personal
root. Islam has the Koran and the idea of divine oneness. Modern Judaism refers
to the Torah and rabbinic traditions. Eastern religions flow from the fount of
eastern philosophies. However, Christianity confesses a personal God, who
interacts with his creatures in the most intimate way. Indeed, God comes in
human flesh and blood, not merely to teach or communicate ideas, but to touch
the diseased, raise the dead, and perfect his creative work. Thus, the Nicene
Creed expresses the heart of Christianity by passing over Jesus’ teaching and
focusing on Jesus’ incarnate actions. Christ comes, not merely to speak, but to
live a life in the flesh. He is conceived and born, suffers death, rises from
the grave, ascends to the right hand of the Father where he even now rules all
things for the sake of His church.
While
other religions rely upon creative followers to give life to ancient ideas and
make their philosophies relevant to the modern world, Christianity follows a
different path. The life of Christianity flows, not from an idea, but from the
person of Christ who rules at the right hand of the Father and continues to
interact with his creatures to bring them to fulfillment. The living Lord needs
no one to make Him relevant to the modern world; he requires no new packaging
to make him accessible to a new century. Thus, the history of Christianity is
not the history of an idea, or even the history of Christ’s disciples, but the history
of Christ’s personal presence as he continues to act in, with, and under his
church for the life of the world.
This
distinctively Christian perspective of history is demonstrated in Alvin Schmidt’s
Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed
Civilization.
This book is a much needed survey of Christianity’s impact on western culture. In
a so-called post-Christian world where orthodox Christianity is condemned for
its Christological exclusivity, Professor Schmidt’s work is a welcome read. His
book publishes the truth of Christianity’s profound impact on the world with a winsome,
but not overstated, pen. Under the Influence investigates such themes as
Christianity’s impact on life issues, sexual morality, the dignity of women,
hospitals, science, justice, slavery, music, art, and literature. The broad
spectrum of themes included in this book makes it a valuable addition to anyone’s
library. Pastors will find it inspirational for sermons, confirmation, and Bible
class; laymen will find it both easy to read and highly illuminating. This book
is not only worthwhile; it is a necessity in today’s pluralistic culture.
James
Bushur
Immanuel
Lutheran Church
Decatur,
Indiana
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