• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Recent Issues
      • May/June 2022May/June 2022
      • March/April 2022March/April 2022
      • January/February 2022January/February 2022
      • November/December 2021November/December 2021
      • September/October 2021September/October 2021
      • July/August 2021July/August 2021
      • More…
  • Authors
      • Stuart OlyottStuart Olyott
      • Tony BrownTony Brown
      • Max MundayMax Munday
      • Wayne ProbertWayne Probert
      • Ceri DouglassCeri Douglass
      • Kerry OrchardKerry Orchard
      • Randy AlcornRandy Alcorn
      • Tom OlsonTom Olson
      • John SnyderJohn Snyder
      • Gareth JonesGareth Jones
      • More…
  • Sections
      • Bible
      • Church
      • Comment
      • Faith
      • History
      • Life
      • Mission
      • My story
      • Prayer
      • Remembering
      • Reviews
      • Theology
  • Subscribe

Book review — How Christianity Transformed The World

Book: How Christianity Transformed The WorldAuthor: Sharon JamesPublisher: Christian Focus PublicationsRetail Price: £7.99 (buy now)
Review by Steve Carter1 minute readJuly/August 2021, page 28

How Christianity Transformed The World

Any book by Sharon James is worth selling your shirt for, and this is no exception. The book does what is says in its title, and tells how Christianity transformed the world. This is especially relevant in our secular culture which seems to be on a quest to airbrush the positive contribution of Christianity worldwide out of our history. James tackles the often repeated objections head on – ‘Christianity is violent and intolerant; Christians are on the wrong side of history; Christianity is terrible for human rights’ – and does so convincingly.

Equally, this is no rose-tinted view of Christianity reminding us that in the past injustices have been wrongly perpetuated in the name of Christ; that institutional religion needs to be distinguished from authentic Christianity and Christians do not have a monopoly on virtue and compassion. Nevertheless, the evidence points to Christianity being of incredible benefit to society like no other faith or philosophy. Nine short chapters cover the subjects of Freedom, Religious Liberty, Justice, Protecting Life, the Dignity of Women, Philanthropy, Healthcare, Education for All and the Creation Mandate, and the Value of Work. An abundance of footnotes and an extensive book list indicate the scholarship behind this work, directing the keen reader onwards. It is a work of historical scholarship and cultural analysis and will encourage and edify any Christian. It will also help us engage evangelistically with unbelieving friends, family and work colleagues.

Of note is the final brief chapter of the triumph of Christ. Engaged as the author is at the sharp end of an unrelenting and unbelieving culture, she reminds us of the final, certain and sure triumph of the cause of Christ. All in all, this is a very satisfying read. It is worth buying two and passing on to a friend for their encouragement also.

Found this helpful? Like, share or tweet

Want more like this? Get the latest articles direct by email every week:

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Your personal details are safe. We won’t spam you, or pass your details onto anyone else. You can unsubscribe at any time.

About the reviewer

Steve Carter
Steve Carter retired as Pastor of Bethel Baptist Church Tredegar in April 2017 and continues an itinerant ministry.

Read next

Church planting in the Welsh valleys
by Steve Carter
15 likes
Book review — The Life I Now Live
by Sheila Stephen
How can I serve when I no longer can?
by Steve Carter (part 5 of Reflections)
87 likes
Book review — Time Well Spent
by Sheila Stephen
Bed & Breakfast on the NHS
by Steve Carter
118 likes
Book review — NIV Scripture Journal
by Sheila Stephen
Peter Jeffery
by Steve Carter
45 likes
Book review — Love Your Church
by Jonny Raine

Primary Sidebar

Like us on Facebook

Evangelical Magazine

Latest issue

Popular articles

  • What is ‘praying in the Spirit’ and how do we pray in this way? by Stuart Olyott
    97 likes
  • Until we meet again by Alun Ebenezer
    182 likes
  • Golgotha - Why was Jesus crucified outside the city? by Mark Barnes
    32 likes
  • Sharing Jesus with Mormon Missionaries by Tony Brown
    48 likes
  • Sharing Jesus with a Jehovah’s Witness by Tony Brown
    107 likes

The Evangelical Magazine is published by the Evangelical Movement of Wales.
Waterton Cross Business Park, South Road, Bridgend CF31 3UL.
Registered charity number 222407. View our privacy policy.