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The Builder’s Stone: How Jews and Christians Built the West—and Why Only They Can Save It
As the West struggles against attempts to destroy it from within and without, key lessons in resilience from its Jewish parent can enable both Christianity and civilization to survive.
Western civilization is facing a critical moment. Foreign enemies sensing its weakness are circling. Internally, the West is being consumed by division, decadence, and demoralization. The October 7 attack on Israel presented it with a choice between civilization and barbarism—a challenge the West has failed. But this damaged society is far from lost if it takes advice from an unexpected source. Western culture is based upon Christianity, whose own foundations in turn lie in Judaism. The unique survival of the Jewish people offers both the West and its struggling Christian church, as well as secular people who shun religion, priceless lessons in resilience that they must learn if their culture is to survive.
Western civilization is facing a critical moment. Foreign enemies sensing its weakness are circling. Internally, the West is being consumed by division, decadence, and demoralization. The October 7 attack on Israel presented it with a choice between civilization and barbarism—a challenge the West has failed. But this damaged society is far from lost if it takes advice from an unexpected source. Western culture is based upon Christianity, whose own foundations in turn lie in Judaism. The unique survival of the Jewish people offers both the West and its struggling Christian church, as well as secular people who shun religion, priceless lessons in resilience that they must learn if their culture is to survive.
320 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2025
71 people are currently reading
203 people want to read
About the author
Melanie Phillips
31 books155 followersMelanie Phillips, journalist, broadcaster and author, is Britain’s best known and most controversial champion of traditional values in the culture war.
Her weekly column, which currently appears in The Times of London, has been published over the years in the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times and Daily Mail. She also writes for the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Chronicle, is a regular panellist on BBC Radio's The Moral Maze and speaks on public platforms throughout the English-speaking world.
Her best-selling book Londonistan, about the British establishment's capitulation to Islamist aggression, was published in 2006. She followed this in 2010 with The World Turned Upside Down: the Global Battle over God, Truth and Power.
Her first novel, The Legacy, which deals with conflicted Jewish identity, antisemitism and the power of history, was published in April by Post Hill Press. Her personal and political memoir, Guardian Angel, was published by Post Hill Press in January.
Among her earlier books is All Must Have Prizes, a devastating critique of Britain's education system. She is also the author of The Sex-Change Society: Feminised Britain and the Neutered Male, published by the Social Market Foundation, America's Social Revolution, published by Civitas, and The Ascent of Woman, a history of the ideas behind the female suffrage campaign, published by Little, Brown. She also wrote a play, Traitors, which was performed at the Drill Hall in London in 1985
Her weekly column, which currently appears in The Times of London, has been published over the years in the Guardian, Observer, Sunday Times and Daily Mail. She also writes for the Jerusalem Post and Jewish Chronicle, is a regular panellist on BBC Radio's The Moral Maze and speaks on public platforms throughout the English-speaking world.
Her best-selling book Londonistan, about the British establishment's capitulation to Islamist aggression, was published in 2006. She followed this in 2010 with The World Turned Upside Down: the Global Battle over God, Truth and Power.
Her first novel, The Legacy, which deals with conflicted Jewish identity, antisemitism and the power of history, was published in April by Post Hill Press. Her personal and political memoir, Guardian Angel, was published by Post Hill Press in January.
Among her earlier books is All Must Have Prizes, a devastating critique of Britain's education system. She is also the author of The Sex-Change Society: Feminised Britain and the Neutered Male, published by the Social Market Foundation, America's Social Revolution, published by Civitas, and The Ascent of Woman, a history of the ideas behind the female suffrage campaign, published by Little, Brown. She also wrote a play, Traitors, which was performed at the Drill Hall in London in 1985
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 29, 2025
highly recommended
In this book, Melanie Phillips warns that the future of western nations is in dire danger. She gives numerous examples of how Jewish-Christian moral codes and social values (justice, freedom , individualism, objective truth, respect, community, and responsibility) are constantly under attack. Across the West, Biblical faith is in retreat. Simultaneously, there is a growing widespread existential crisis within western populations. This will eventually lead to an implosion of Western society, especially in Europe. This informative book is well written in an easy to read English. Highly recommended.
In this book, Melanie Phillips warns that the future of western nations is in dire danger. She gives numerous examples of how Jewish-Christian moral codes and social values (justice, freedom , individualism, objective truth, respect, community, and responsibility) are constantly under attack. Across the West, Biblical faith is in retreat. Simultaneously, there is a growing widespread existential crisis within western populations. This will eventually lead to an implosion of Western society, especially in Europe. This informative book is well written in an easy to read English. Highly recommended.
April 1, 2025
An important read.
May 16, 2025
Very thought provoking. Many ideas already explored in other articles.
The exhortation to Christians and the Church to be more like the Jewish people fails to recognise the primacy and saving work of Jesus Christ. The Messiah has already come. We don"t need better pr for the bible or to work for our salvation anymore. We need to be more willing to be involved in the fight but primarily Christianity is a relationship between Christ and His people. We did not introduce the idea of our beliefs being private. That is an idea thrust on us by people who deny want us to declare our beliefs and the freedom to live them out.
Certainly the Jewish people have suffered and as have Christians and still do. But we are "neither
Jew not Greek, there is Noether save nor free, , there no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus". Galatians 3:28
The exhortation to Christians and the Church to be more like the Jewish people fails to recognise the primacy and saving work of Jesus Christ. The Messiah has already come. We don"t need better pr for the bible or to work for our salvation anymore. We need to be more willing to be involved in the fight but primarily Christianity is a relationship between Christ and His people. We did not introduce the idea of our beliefs being private. That is an idea thrust on us by people who deny want us to declare our beliefs and the freedom to live them out.
Certainly the Jewish people have suffered and as have Christians and still do. But we are "neither
Jew not Greek, there is Noether save nor free, , there no male or female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus". Galatians 3:28
July 12, 2025
An Eloquent Voice for Biblical Common Sense
This book by Melanie Phillips captures so much of what I was first introduced to in Daniel Elazar’s epic four volumes on Federalism. Federalism, or covenant, has been with us since the beginning of recorded human civilization.
Covenantal truths have been carefully documented thanks to Jewish prophets, priests, and kings; then by first century Jewish apostles, and also the brilliant Dr. Luke. After all, Peter, Paul, and Mary - and Jesus of Nazareth, were Jewish too.
When the people of the first covenant in the Hebrew Scriptures, and the people of the New Covenant come together, the world will be transformed. The wholesome, healing values of covenant are available to all who will chose life, not death.
This book by Melanie Phillips captures so much of what I was first introduced to in Daniel Elazar’s epic four volumes on Federalism. Federalism, or covenant, has been with us since the beginning of recorded human civilization.
Covenantal truths have been carefully documented thanks to Jewish prophets, priests, and kings; then by first century Jewish apostles, and also the brilliant Dr. Luke. After all, Peter, Paul, and Mary - and Jesus of Nazareth, were Jewish too.
When the people of the first covenant in the Hebrew Scriptures, and the people of the New Covenant come together, the world will be transformed. The wholesome, healing values of covenant are available to all who will chose life, not death.
November 22, 2025
Survival
A blueprint for the survival of western civilisation. As a secular Christian concerned about the direction of western civilisation i read this with an open mind. I now understand that to save ourselves we must get to know who we are. Our cultural history and values are shaped by our Christian/ Jewish heritage. A return to knowing who we are Will go a long way to saving that culture for our children and thus protecting western civilisation moving forward. Great read Melanie.
A blueprint for the survival of western civilisation. As a secular Christian concerned about the direction of western civilisation i read this with an open mind. I now understand that to save ourselves we must get to know who we are. Our cultural history and values are shaped by our Christian/ Jewish heritage. A return to knowing who we are Will go a long way to saving that culture for our children and thus protecting western civilisation moving forward. Great read Melanie.
June 3, 2025
could nit continue. her pyscho babble in place of simoke speech drive me crazy. i understand her point... the West was built on the so-called Judeo-christian ethic and now has list its way. only i don' yt buy it. leading christian leaders and philosophers soent centurues on replacement theory and antusemitic babbke, there is nothing judaic in the chrustian west. suck it up. the west is next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 22, 2025
A challenging, thought provoking book.
October 6, 2025
Some very good observations
As a whole the book is a mixture of good advice for our society and a lot of religious pushing. I like her interviews better than the book.
As a whole the book is a mixture of good advice for our society and a lot of religious pushing. I like her interviews better than the book.
June 29, 2025
The book is well researched and engrossing. For me, an otherwise excellent piece of work is spoiled by Phillips' failure to do justice to what Christianity is all about.
In diagnosing the causes of the breakdown of the West, Phillips cites the exaltation of subjective truths and desires, giving rise to “destructive and nihilistic orthodoxies” where moral relativism prevails.
Concerning her proposed remedy, I have a controversy with her treatment of Christianity. She dismisses as "dogma" the heart of the Christian message concerning salvation, Christ's victory over death, and the promise of eternal life. She suggests that the Church should follow an approach found in Judaism and "abandon dogma for open-ended, critical, and inclusive examination of the texts." Christianity has Jewish roots but is separated from Judaism by an unbridgeable gap acknowledged by Phillips. She implies that, unlike Jewish beliefs, Christian beliefs (dogma) don't incorporate reason.
Yet critically examining the scriptures is not incompatible with Christianity's message of salvation through Christ. There are widely used evangelistic programs which involve examining and discussing the scriptures. The apostle Paul persuaded many of his Jewish kinsfolk that Jesus was their Messiah by reasoning from the Hebrew scriptures which Phillips refers to. Christianity’s core beliefs are defended intellectually by apologists like John Lennox, a former Oxford professor of mathematics. In line with Phillips’ recommendation he sets out to "expose high profile atheists and moral relativists to robust intellectual challenge” before large audiences.
To be fair to Phillips, she can hardly be expected to endorse theological beliefs she doesn’t share. She finds it unhelpful that Christianity “tends to put all its eggs in the supernatural basket” which is likely not to resonate with Westerners on the whole. This leaves her with the aim of persuading people towards living according to biblical values. If this is not easy for Christians (as many would attest), what will motivate those without strong religious beliefs?
Perhaps Phillips should have confined herself to discussing only Christian values, leaving out core Christian beliefs, rather than appearing to dismiss these beliefs for lack of resonance. Many people do find the full Christian message, which seeks to transform lives, unacceptable. But commending biblical precepts alone would be unlikely to transform society.
Nevertheless, some good might come from the sort of advice that Phillips has for Christians, involving the practical demonstration of their faith. The Church, which has largely succumbed to secular ideologies inimical to biblical values, should, she writes, create for itself a new counter-cultural narrative and self-consciously oppose the demoralising destructive and nihilistic orthodoxies. This would involve, for example, speaking up for men and the masculinity of which they are made to feel ashamed, arguing against victim culture, and standing up for traditional family values and the reality of biological sex. Christians should also be "providing warmth and acceptance to those who lead alternative lives".
Phillips encourages Christians and Jews to “ launch an intellectual counteroffensive against supersessionism”, the recently resurrected erroneous doctrine that the Church has entirely replaced Israel in God’s purposes, which has fuelled anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.
I wonder if the Anglican leadership, at least, has gone too far down the road of apostasy to recover.
Despite my reservations, I recommend The Builder’s Stone as well worth reading. It should sell well, yet it might end up like a voice crying in the wilderness.
In diagnosing the causes of the breakdown of the West, Phillips cites the exaltation of subjective truths and desires, giving rise to “destructive and nihilistic orthodoxies” where moral relativism prevails.
Concerning her proposed remedy, I have a controversy with her treatment of Christianity. She dismisses as "dogma" the heart of the Christian message concerning salvation, Christ's victory over death, and the promise of eternal life. She suggests that the Church should follow an approach found in Judaism and "abandon dogma for open-ended, critical, and inclusive examination of the texts." Christianity has Jewish roots but is separated from Judaism by an unbridgeable gap acknowledged by Phillips. She implies that, unlike Jewish beliefs, Christian beliefs (dogma) don't incorporate reason.
Yet critically examining the scriptures is not incompatible with Christianity's message of salvation through Christ. There are widely used evangelistic programs which involve examining and discussing the scriptures. The apostle Paul persuaded many of his Jewish kinsfolk that Jesus was their Messiah by reasoning from the Hebrew scriptures which Phillips refers to. Christianity’s core beliefs are defended intellectually by apologists like John Lennox, a former Oxford professor of mathematics. In line with Phillips’ recommendation he sets out to "expose high profile atheists and moral relativists to robust intellectual challenge” before large audiences.
To be fair to Phillips, she can hardly be expected to endorse theological beliefs she doesn’t share. She finds it unhelpful that Christianity “tends to put all its eggs in the supernatural basket” which is likely not to resonate with Westerners on the whole. This leaves her with the aim of persuading people towards living according to biblical values. If this is not easy for Christians (as many would attest), what will motivate those without strong religious beliefs?
Perhaps Phillips should have confined herself to discussing only Christian values, leaving out core Christian beliefs, rather than appearing to dismiss these beliefs for lack of resonance. Many people do find the full Christian message, which seeks to transform lives, unacceptable. But commending biblical precepts alone would be unlikely to transform society.
Nevertheless, some good might come from the sort of advice that Phillips has for Christians, involving the practical demonstration of their faith. The Church, which has largely succumbed to secular ideologies inimical to biblical values, should, she writes, create for itself a new counter-cultural narrative and self-consciously oppose the demoralising destructive and nihilistic orthodoxies. This would involve, for example, speaking up for men and the masculinity of which they are made to feel ashamed, arguing against victim culture, and standing up for traditional family values and the reality of biological sex. Christians should also be "providing warmth and acceptance to those who lead alternative lives".
Phillips encourages Christians and Jews to “ launch an intellectual counteroffensive against supersessionism”, the recently resurrected erroneous doctrine that the Church has entirely replaced Israel in God’s purposes, which has fuelled anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism.
I wonder if the Anglican leadership, at least, has gone too far down the road of apostasy to recover.
Despite my reservations, I recommend The Builder’s Stone as well worth reading. It should sell well, yet it might end up like a voice crying in the wilderness.
April 29, 2025
Thank you for your perspective and insights. Psalm 25 has been my prayer.
April 15, 2025
Normally I don't read book where from the start I know I will agree with. But this book is special. It does not only state my opinions that religion is at the center of a culture, that Christianity is based on Judaism and that almost all modern isms are just derivates of Christianity and Judaism; no it also gives both a history and a summary of Judaism, the essentials of Christianity and how both connect. It also details a history of anti-Semitism. It presents as central thesis the causation of decay of the West by these aberring ideologies (remotely based on Christianity love thy next and tikkun olam): woke and marxist. Both destroy the West from itself. The West has many good properties, but the ideologies mentioned completely deny and negate this. The West needs to start believing in itself again...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews