Why a Christian book was sent to British parliamentarians this Easter

Dr Sharon James is social policy analyst for The Christian Institute and creator of How Christianity Transformed the World, an enticing book in regards to the positive impact of Christianity on society and the event of lots of the institutions we take as a right today, like universal education and healthcare.

Dr James speaks to Christian Today about why The Christian Institute sent her book to each British parliamentarian this Easter, and the openness she observes towards exploring Britain’s Christian heritage at the moment.

 Why did you are feeling led to send this book to parliamentarians at the moment?

At The Christian Institute we recognise, and value, the contribution that parliamentarians make to public service. We often pray for them. We desired to send them this book as a present to mark our appreciation for his or her work.

What is the message you would like them to remove from reading this book?

We imagine that there’s an ideal weight of evidence pointing to the positive and transformative impact Christianity has had in our nation, and indeed worldwide. The book gives them an accessible summary of the contributions Christians have made to freedom, justice, protection of life, philanthropy, healthcare, education, and rather more beside.

What reception have you ever had from parliamentarians who’ve received it?

We’ve been blissful to receive many warm messages of appreciation from members of every of the parliaments.    

Do you sense any openness to checking out more about Britain’s Christian heritage – and in that case, what do you think that may need brought that about?

Yes, we’re seeing a greater willingness to contemplate Britain’s Christian heritage at the moment. There are quite a few aspects behind this, but I’ll mention two.

Firstly, even secular commentators are acknowledging that the younger generation have been let down by those that have taught them to imagine that life is all about “finding yourself”. That is such a diminished vision. Many younger individuals are in search of the next, weightier purpose in life. Bible sales are up. Many of us at an area level are encouraged to see young adults wanting to explore the Christian faith.

Secondly, the ideology of the sexual revolution has manifestly didn’t deliver freedom and fulfilment. It has resulted in an ocean of exploitation and abuse. God’s creation design for sexual fidelity and stable family bonds offers a lovely contrast to the brokenness on full view in current society.

Some people seem reluctant to acknowledge the positive influence of Christianity on Britain’s heritage – or to be unaware of it completely. What would you say to them?

I’d point to the various examples of individuals whose lives have been transformed by an encounter with the risen Christ. Throughout the last two thousand years, devotion to Christ has inspired self-sacrificial service which has brought immense advantages to our national life. Our great institutions providing education and healthcare were all originally Christian foundations.

What in your experience are probably the most common ‘blind spots’?

Many individuals are being fed the narrative that Christianity through history has been a toxic and oppressive influence and is to be seen because the enemy. Of course, there are examples of behavior that we might under no circumstances condone. But the large picture is that now we have an ideal story to inform.

The real origin of the concept of “human rights” is the biblical truth that we’re all created within the image of God. When we neglect or despise a fellow human being, we insult their Creator. Every person is to be treated with dignity and respect. We imagine within the sanctity of human life from conception to natural death. We see the dignity of human life because our Lord Jesus Christ became incarnate. He was human from the moment of conception.

And the source of our commitment to an ethic of compassion is the Bible’s teaching that service of others isn’t an option, but an obligation to be prolonged to all. The classical world was riddled with cruelty and injustice. By contrast, Christianity introduced the notion of compassion and philanthropy, because we’re told to like not only our family, not only our neighbour – but strangers – even enemies! Our Lord Jesus was the supreme example of laying down his life for others. True greatness comes through service. These biblical ideas are the inspiration for a priority for human rights.

Which stories or examples of religion out of your book particularly encourage you?

I’m at all times been challenged and inspired by the stories of “strange” people, often forgotten today, who sacrificially addressed the needs they saw around them.

Sarah Martin was a poor orphan, who lived within the early nineteenth century in England. As a teen, she needed to work long hours as a seamstress. One Sunday she felt an odd compulsion to go right into a chapel service where she heard the gospel for the primary time, and converted. She vowed that day to make use of her life in service of the One who had so splendidly saved her. Sarah went on working long hours, but used every other waking hour in doing good: including visiting the local prison where conditions were dire. Here, Sarah initiated literacy classes and work schemes. Prison conditions were completely transformed.

Countless others volunteered to show children within the early Sunday School movement. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth century there was no state provision of education for poor children. Robert Raikes, a newspaper editor in Gloucester, was shocked at the degrees of ignorance and crime in town. He and an area minister met to brainstorm ways during which “vice might be prevented”.  They got here up with the concept of faculties to show literacy and Bible knowledge, to be run by volunteers on Sundays. This was the one day that poor children would find a way to attend, as they were sent out to work the remainder of the week.

One Sunday afternoon, in July 1780, a Christian woman called Mrs Meredith welcomed poor children into her home: the primary Sunday school. By 1831, a few quarter of England’s 1.25 million children were attending Sunday schools. This great movement trusted the voluntary efforts of tens of 1000’s of Christians.

Across the centuries, as people found their lives transformed by Christ, they desired to live out his injunction: “whatever you probably did for one in every of the least of those brothers of mine, you probably did for me”. Evangelical Christians were accountable for a remarkable range of social advances including prison reform, care of the mentally sick, factory reform, rescuing women and kids from sexual abuse, and provision of education along with the abolition of the slave trade.

The stories of such individuals challenge the negative view of Christianity which continues to be presented to many individuals today. But additionally they encourage us to look outside ourselves to serve the needs of others.