 |
|||||
|
|  |
COMMON FAITH, COMMON CULTURE
How Christianity Defeats Paganism
Joseph M. Bianchi
"Joseph M. Bianchi has provided an inspiring aerial overview of Christianity's formative salt and light impact on world history. 'it is a culture that transforms societies by transforming people one by one.' Bianchi provides a tonic for believers disheartened by the contemporary darkness of encroaching postmodernism. Surely the gates of Hell will not prevail, for in Christ, we will triumph as more than conquerors. Well done!" -Rev. Mark Chanski, Pastor of The Reformed Baptist Church of Holland, MI, conference speaker and author of the popular book "Manly Dominion."
"Joseph Bianchi presents an historical overview of culture with one intent: To demonstrate that Christianity is superior in every way to its pagan counterpart and has a powerful effect on the same. He succeeds, because Christianity succeeds. Find comfort and challenge in this compelling treatise." - Jim Elliff, Christian Communicators Worldwide, Kansas City, Missouri
"In academic and non-academic circles the nature, influence, importance and development of culture is often discussed. Almost everyone recognizes the power that what is called culture has in the lives of individuals in both positive and negative ways. The question about what is the most productive and beneficial culture is hotly debated. In this book, Joseph M. Bianchi 'asserts with boldness that there is one overriding and superior culture in the world.' In so doing, he contrasts the pagan (unbiblical) concepts of culture with the biblical perspective. In the book, Mr. Bianchi makes the claim 'that Christianity transforms all other cultures for the good; that it has freed more people spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and even literally, than any other movement in history.' And he not only makes this claim, he also powerfully backs it up with solid evidence that this is so. I commend this book to you and encourage you to buy it and then read it through at least twice and share it with others." -Dr. Wayne Mack, Pastor, Biblical Counselor, Conference speaker and author of "Your Family God's Way", "Strengthening Your Marriage", "Anger and Stress Management", and a host of other well known books.
Joseph M. Bianchi (M.Div., Yale University) spent many years as a journalist prior to his ordination. He has written on topics as varied as urban planning and Constitutional Law. His other books include God Chose to Save, 21st century Corinthians and My Friend Grace.
50% Discount - Endangered Title
SGCB Price: $7.95 (list price $16.00)
NOW AVAILABLE TO SHIP!
Additional Information
• Table of Contents
• Introduction
| Introduction |
|
It is not easy in the modern world we live in to define culture. With the advent of mass media, particularly the Internet, we can sit ensconced in our easy chair at home and imbibe on information pouring out of every news and information outlet from around the world. We thus share in a form of collective consciousness as never before in the history of the world.
The fact of the matter is, however, that all of us, from whatever country, ethnic group or tribe we come from, live in a culture. Anthropologists have grappled with the concept of culture for many years, but have failed to agree on what exactly defines culture. In the rather politically correct climate we live in these days, it is a very daring anthropologist who would even suggest that one culture is superior to another. They may use the term "different," or "variant"--but never "superior."
This book might be considered a bold step into the crossfire at this point, for it asserts with boldness that there is one overriding and superior culture in the world. It is a culture that transforms societies by transforming people one by one. It is a culture that, perhaps paradoxically, unites people from all cultures into one that shares a common goal and a common set of values. It is not a new culture, per se, but one that has been around now for over two thousand years: the Christian culture.
Our problem here begins, yet again, with first defining culture, and then making an argument for the superiority of Christian culture over, for lack of a better term, pagan culture. Over the course of the pages of this book we will attempt to do so. We will argue that Christianity transforms all other cultures for the good; that it has freed more people spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, and even literally, than any other movement in history.
For our purposes, we will define pagan culture as that which categorically rejects the redemptive teaching of the Bible, with its emphasis on the vicarious death of Christ in the place of sinners. Thus defined, pagan culture is much broader than simply those who worship nature, the elements or strange deities. While as a general rule we think of pagan cultures as technologically backward, such is not always the case. Indeed, even a so-called "advanced" societies can lapse into paganism when secularism replaces traditional Christian worship.
Let us be clear from the beginning that Christianity, like all religions, is based on faith. In this case, faith in Jesus Christ, who came to die for those He would save. The old adage that "all roads lead to Rome"; that all religions are basically the same, have the same goals, and are trying simply to do "the good" does not play here. If we're going to make the bold assertion that Christian culture is superior to all other cultures, we must also assert that Christianity is superior to all other religions; another attack on the politically correct notions of our day.
We take this journey of discovery, a journey that may inform many, whilst angering many more. But we live in a very dangerous world, a world that seemingly has lost its moral and spiritual compass, and we need a direction, a safe haven, if you will, to sail toward. The finished work of Christ at Calvary and the Bible have provided this haven for over twenty centuries amid calamities, wars, revolutions--and every other trial the human race has endured. It is with this confidence that we prepare our ship and set sail.
