Call me biased, but it appears to me that virtually no aspect of history has been left untouched by Christianity. In The Protestant Ethic, Weber explored the phenomenon of Protestant prosperity in society. Though he highlights many factors which may influence this prosperity, (including asceticism), I am intrigued by the truly monumental impact it had on society.
Christian ideals influenced politics through many of the founding fathers of our nation. Christian ideals have influenced economics through Adam Smith and Biblical stewardship. Christian ideals have influenced the formation and development of nations due to missionary exploration and impact (David Livingstone, anyone?). Christian ideals have influenced health and medical care through compassion-driven research (think Clara Barton). Christian ideals have influenced art, music, education, law, families, and even ... religion. (Starting with the Jews, then the Gentiles, and fast forward to Martin Luther). I could go on and on ... but I think you get the point:
Whatever transforms the heart and soul of the individual will surely transform a society.
Perhaps the Jews didn’t know what they were getting into when they said about the apostles, “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also!” (Acts 17:6).
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