So much of what we take for granted in American life has its roots in the Christian worldview. Take, for example, the safety we enjoy in laws that protect our property, lives, and other freedoms. American law has its origins in English common law, a tradition grounded in canon law and the Bible. Early American lawmakers often copied verbatim laws from the Old Testament into colonial civil codes.

Or consider the blessings of science. As I argue in this week’s InDepth column, modern science would not be possible at all without the foundation of Christian doctrine and Biblical teaching on which it still pursues its work. The great masterworks of art and music also owe a debt to the Christian worldview. So also the belief in universal and higher education, the free market, the rights of women, and much more.

Is it possible to talk with people about the value of a Christian worldview, not by preaching the Bible at them, but by leading them to consider the various ways the faith of Christ has blessed and continues to bless even those who want nothing to do with it? Our unbelieving neighbors may prefer that we keep Jesus and the Bible to ourselves, but if that’s the case, we’ll want them to understand that they’re still benefiting from His ongoing grace and steadfast love, whether they like it or not.

There’s just no getting around the fact that 2,000 years of Christianity have contributed more good the world than any other movement, philosophy, or religion. As Christians, we should be proud of our heritage and quick to point out to those who reject our faith that they can’t get away from it, so great is the influence of Christianity, and so constant is the love of God (cf. Ps. 52:1).

The resources and activities below should lead to many interesting conversations. Break the spiral of silence! Talk with others about the faith and its benefits – even if they don’t want to hear about Jesus or the Bible. Perhaps your conversations about the contribution of Christianity might prepare the soil of someone’s soul for some later sowing of the Good News of the Kingdom.

Resources for this topic

Kerby Anderson, “American Government and Christianity”
John D. Beckett, “Christianity the Key to Dignity and Fulfillment at Work”
Chuck Colson, “Under the Influence: How the Church Leavens Society”
Chuck Colson, “Are Christians ‘Anti-Science’?”
Chuck Colson, “Dissing the Law: Who Governs America?”
Chuck Colson, “Confronting Reality: Religion and Higher Education”
G. Tyler Fisher, “From the Dark Woods to the Light: Christians and the Arts”
Erik von Kuehnelt-Leddihn, “Christianity, the Foundation and Conservator of Freedom”
Jerry Solomon, “Music and the Christian”
Glenn Sunshine, “Toward a Theology of Work”

Be sure to order your copy of our new DVD series, Doing the Right Thing. Here’s a great resource for investigating the power of natural law for ethical behavior. Be sure you download the PDF study for this week’s ViewPoint series, “To Gain the Good Land.” Start your own ViewPoint discussion group, and lead your friends to join you in breaking the spiral of silence.

Next steps:

1. The resources above can help you “always be ready” to help your unbelieving friends understand why Christianity matters so much to you. Choose two or three of these to read and study. Use the articles to put together some “talking points” for beginning conversations about the Christian worldview with some friends. Try out some of your talking points, and see where the Lord takes it from there.
2. Talk with your pastor about teaching something on the influence of Christianity on culture. Explain what you’ve been reading in the resources above, and ask him to consider preparing a series of messages or a class on ways the Christian worldview has contributed to the welfare of the world. Help him to see how much this would encourage the members of the congregation, and show him how to use The Colson Center for doing his basic research.
3. Email today’s Talking Points column to several Christian friends. Challenge them to read some of the resources, watch the Two-Minute Warning, and take on one of the activities.

A conversation starter

Try this with some friends this week: “What is it about the Christian worldview, that it has been able to contribute so much good to human life over the centuries?”