Window on the World - What If Jesus Was Never Born?

Excerpt: 'But what if Jesus had never been born at all? With apologies to Jimmy Stewart, what difference would it make in the world if Jesus had never lived his wonderful life?

If Jesus was never born, what a difference it would make in politics. Our representative form of democracy rests on explicitly Christian principles of church and state. So do our principles of free speech and religious tolerance. In fact, the very founding of this nation was motivated by the goal to establish a Christ-centered community. If Jesus was never born, there wouldn't be a United States of America, at least as we know it today.

If Jesus was never born, what a difference it would make in education.
If Jesus was never born, what a difference it would make in literature, music, and the arts.
If Jesus was never born, what a difference it would make in science and medicine.
If Jesus was never born, what a difference it would make in charity and the protection of life.'

The Window on the World is our weekly opportunity to examine our culture from the vantage point of biblical Christianity.

Many of these are now published in 'My Father's World: Meditations on Christianity and Culture', 2002, and 'He Speaks to Me Everywhere', 2004, both by Philip Graham Ryken, P&R Publishing.

For the complete text of this and other Window on the World articles click the link below.