Christ and Civilization

by John W. Robbins

Civilization as we know it is a result of the widespread proclamation and belief of the Gospel of justification by faith alone in the sixteenth century. Christ foretold this result in the Sermon on the Mount: "Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." This brief overview of the history of Western Civilization makes it clear that our cultural debt is to the Gospel, not to Greece and Rome.

Genres: History, Theology, Christianity

63 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Dr. Robbins was a resident of Unicoi County, Tennessee. Born and reared in Pennsylvania, he received his A. B. from Grove City College (Pennsylvania) in 1969, cum laude, with Highest Honors in Political Science. He pursued graduate studies at The Johns Hopkins University (Maryland), earning his Masters in Political Theory (1970) at age 21, and his Doctorate in Philosophy and Political Theory (1973) at age 24.

In 1973 Dr. Robbins became Legislative Assistant to a Member of Congress from Indiana, Earl Landgrebe, and subsequently worked, over the next 20 years, in several capacities for several public policy institutions: The Heritage Foundation (Economic Analyst), The Templeton Foundation (Consultant), Western Islands (Editor), Tax Reform Immediately (National Director), The Foundation for Economic Education (Editor of The Freeman), and The Institute for Policy Innovation (President). He served as Legislative Assistant (1976, 1979-1981) and Chief of Staff (1981-1985) to a Member of Congress from Texas, Dr. Ron Paul.

In 1977 Dr. Robbins founded a Christian think tank, The Trinity Foundation, and under his direction The Foundation has published 75 books, 180 lectures, and 275 essays; hosted conferences and seminars in several states; and published a monthly newsletter for over 30 years.

Dr. Robbins wrote several books, hundreds of essays, and lectured or taught at several institutions of higher education, including Harvard University, the University of Colorado, the University of Texas, Biola University, College of the Southwest, Western Reformed Seminary, and Chesapeake Seminary. He was a member of two academic societies, the Evangelical Theological Society and the Evangelical Philosophical Society.

Dr. Robbins was elected and ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church of America, and licensed to preach by Westminster Presbytery, but he left that denomination because of its failure to discipline teachers who were teaching a different gospel. He was an elder in a Reformed congregation called Reformation Church.

Reviews

[Jeremiah Whiteman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed this book. Dr. John sets out quite successfully to show how impactful Christianity has been since Christ had walked the earth and left it, sending His Spirit to teach us and give us wisdom. This alone has made the book excellent, but then in just a few pages (50-57), he sets out to show how necessary it is for every Christian to affirm the inerrancy of Scripture, a logical procession of thought, and a firm believe in knowledge and truth, and without these, the Church will begin to dwindle until truth and knowledge begin to avail once again as it did in the Reformation, and as it did in the first few centuries.

“Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭2:18-19‬ ‭ESV‬

[Leandro Dutra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traces the achievements of Western civilisation to Christianity, specially Biblical, Reformed Protestantism — and very convincngly so. Would be five stars if it was not marred by sectarianism, a judgemental attitude and an unwarranted assumption of being more right than anyone else, compounded by quite some unproved assertions. I you can get past all these issues, it is a very interesting, I would say even important, book.

[Sean McGowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think his overall point (the reformation built on the principles of the word of God created western civ. as we know it) is well taken. However I do think he presents a much cleaner history then the record actually portrays.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short book (booklet) designed as an introduction to John Robbin's writing style that gives just a taste of his philosophy. The book provides a 50,000 foot perspective on the history of civilization with an emphasis on Christ's impact. The author provides just three chapters (my paraphrase):
1. The world before Christ (what a mess).
2. The world after Christ until the Reformation.
3. The impact of the Reformation.

Numerous quotes, footnotes and references are provided, but don't expect any detailed account of world history in only 57 pages. There is also a long bibliography of related books from the same author and others.

I've heard numerous lectures from John Robbins on topics of philosophy, apologetics and logic. He thoughts are organized and very accessible. I recommend the book!

[Adam T. Calvert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book that shows the rise of Western Civilization coming from Christianity rather than through ancient Greece or Rome. The author, John W. Robbins, did a pretty decent job of presenting his case. It's a short book written pretty well, and he quotes a lot from other sources. But I honestly don't know enough history to make a true evaluation.

[I do wonder about the author though. He's quite a mystery to me as he has two degrees from The Johns Hopkins University (so I've got to believe he knows and understands good scholarship); but in random footnotes throughout the text he'll make remarks bringing into question the "reformed orthodoxy" of Reformed men such as Cornelius Van Til and J.I. Packer. ... That just seems weird to me]

[Seth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and sweet, but worthwhile.