Evidence for God — Effects of Christ's power
XI. Effects of Christ's power
A. Commanding authority of person and intellect [ www.themoorings.org/apologetics/towmind.html]
1. Character
2. Insight
3. Compassion
4. Communication
B. Miracles during His ministry
1. Different from others in kind and verified by those who knew the beneficiary
a. Performed openly in crowds, in homes, on roadside
b. Cast out demons with full restoration of individual to society
c. Complete healing of all disease, malformation, speech impediment or paralysis even when born that way
d. Raised the dead 3 times with varied lengths of death
2. Power over nature
a. Fed crowds with handful of food
b. Calmed raging storms on the sea
c. Walked on water across the sea
3. Interpreted his miracles as signs that establish His credibility
a. Point to Himself as the Son of God
b. Emphasize His purpose in coming to earth
c. Teach spiritual truths
(1) Nicodemus recognized that His miracles verified His teaching.
(2) Disciples had criticism and encouraged to examine and judge His miracles.
C. Elevation and dignity of women
1. Cared for mother during His ministry and even on the cross
2. Revealed Himself as Messiah to a Samaritan woman John ch 4
3. Showed Himself raised from the dead to women first
4. Influenced disciples to respect and care for women
D.
Our changed society1. Vast historical evidence obtained by diverse researchers
See the following books:
- "The positive impact of Christianity in sexuality, health care, labor, education, science, politics, the abolition of slavery, the arts, and literature." Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization, by Schmidt, Alvin J., 2001 Zondervan Publishing Co.
- "Clearly demonstrates that an enormous array of benefits to humankind--from economics to art to government, science to civil liberties, morality to health, and beyond--would never have occurred had Jesus Christ not lived." What if Jesus Had Never Been Born?, by D. James Kennedy, 2001 Thomas Nelson Publishers;
- For the Glory of God : How Monotheism Led to Reformations, Science, Witch-Hunts, and the End of Slavery, by Rodney Stark, 2003 Princeton U. Press (written by an agnostic documenting Christianity's positive effects on history)
- How Christianity Changed the World, by Alvin J. Schmidt, 2004 Zondervan;
- "The positive impact of Christianity in transformed lives, sanctification of human life, sexual morality, freedom and dignity, charity and compassion, hospitals and healthcare, education, labor and economic freedom, basis of science, liberty and justice for all, slavery abolished, art and architecture, enrichment of music, hallmarks of literature, holidays, words, symbols, etc." Under the Influence: How Christianity Transformed Civilization, by Schmidt, Alvin J., 2004 Zondervan Publishing Co.
- What Has Christianity Ever Done For Us?: How It Shaped the Modern World, by Jonathan Hill, 2005 Intervarsity Press [See this astounding quote from a Chinese Communist researcher describing the remarkable impact of Christianity in shaping Western civilization.]
- The Victory of Reason: How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism, and Western Success, by Rodney Stark, 2005, Random House;
- Whats's So Great About Christianity, by Dinesh D'Souza, (2007) Washington, DC: Regnery Publishing
- How Christianity Made the Modern World, by Paul Backholer (2009)
- "Discover how the Bible became the West's source of human rights, justice, heroism, optimism, compassion, capitalism, family, and morality." The Book That Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization, by Vishal Mangalwadi, 2011, Thomas Nelson Publishers
- "Celebrated religious and social historian Rodney Stark traces the extraordinary rise of Christianity ... Stark makes a provocative case that the popular notion that religion must disappear to make room for modernity is amply disproved by the sociological evidence. He explains why faith remains vigorous in almost everywhere around the world - and why the rise of Christianity continues to this day." The Triumph of Christianity, by Rodney Stark, 2012, HarperOne;
- "Based on research over more than 20 years, Confirm Thy Soul, America: The Christian Foundation of the United States of America relates the more than 2000-year history of the decisive role Christianity has played in inspiring the creation and continuing growth of this great and good nation of ours. A greater respect for the magnificent men known as our Founding Fathers; a growing understanding of the all-encompassing role of Christianity in the founding and future of America; and the willing acceptance of our God-given duty as “We the People” to do everything we can as Christians and members of other faiths to preserve this beloved country ..." CONFIRM THY SOUL, AMERICA, by James A. Weber, 2012, Xulon Press
- "Jesus Christ, whose birthday is celebrated throughout the world this month, has had a greater impact on human history than any person who ever lived. ... But Christians throughout the world believe that Jesus was more than just a good and holy man; they believe that he was the Son of God, the Messiah promised in the Old Testament." The Prince of Peace — Jesus of Nazareth, by James J. Drummey, The New American, December 25, 2013
- "In a day when Christians are often attacked for their beliefs, professor and speaker Jeremiah Johnston offers an inspiring look at the positive influence of Christianity, both historically and today." Unimaginable: What Our World Would Be Like Without Christianity, by Jeremiah J. Johnston, 2017, Bethany House Publishers
Contrast these with the horrific damages of non-Christian ideologies:
- "World War I saw 9 million people killed in battle, an incredible record that was surpassed within a few decades by the 15 million battle deaths of World War II. Even the numbers killed in 20th-century revolutions and civil wars have set historical records. In total, about 35,654,000 people have died in this century’s international and domestic wars, revolutions, and violent conflicts. and 119.4 million killed by various Communist, non-free, Partially free and Free Governments." WAR ISN'T THIS CENTURY'S BIGGEST KILLER, by R.J. Rummel, published in The Wall Street Journal, 7/7/1986
- "In his controversial study of American giving habits, Arthur C. Brooks shatters stereotypes about charity in America-including the myth that the political Left is more compassionate than the Right." Who Really Cares: The Surprising Truth About Compassionate Conservatism, by Arthur C. Brooks, James Q. Wilson, 2007, Basic Books
2. Transformed lives documented in history
a. Civilization of barbarian men based upon transforming power of Christ in forgiving sins and effecting change into God's image.
Examples: www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/, The Martyrs of Lyons, Great Christians' Testimonies and Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners by John Bunyan.
b. Compassion and mercy based upon human dignity and worth for man created in God's image. (insane asylums, prisons, hospitals, sanitariums, nursing homes, foster homes, Red Cross, pro-life centers, adoption agencies, battered women's shelters and similar compasssion ministries, charities, philanthropic foundations, et cetera.)
3. Transformed cultures from the transformed lives via improved sanitation, health, education, medicine, sciences, literature, music, industry safety programs, business ethics, et cetera.
a. Education for all based upon knowing, sharing and researching the Word and creation of God.
b. Government without oppression based upon equal value of all mankind. (Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the united States, 1776 [correct spelling])
c. Civil liberties based upon Beatitudes. (English common law and derivatives in present day law)
d. Science and exploration built upon scriptural basis of foundational truths: creation is orderly, can be researched, and understood.
e. Business and free enterprise built upon honesty, integrity and property rights.
f. Beauty and dignity of human sexuality based upon God as founder of marriage.
g. World's great art, music, poetry, prose, et cetera based upon returning praise and honor to God.