Western Christian ethos developed over centuries of laying the ground work of willing faithfulness. Christianity cannot be imposed, nor can Western civilization be imposed. It must grow, and that takes time, effort, and willing dedication.
What we (U.S. & Europe) have done is we have imported science and technology worldwide where it does not have the cultural institutions to sustain it. The lesson yet to be learned is that science and technology are the fruit of Christian character, and they cannot be maintained apart from honesty, integrity, and industry. Honesty means accurate data, integrity means no fraud, and industry means hard work.
"Moola
Paul’s mention of the “riches (πλοῦτος) of his grace” Ephesians 1: 7) points to a connection between God’s grace and wealth, literally money and possessions. The relationship between God’s grace and wealth issues from Christ’s character qualities involved in the imitation or reproduction of Christ’s likeness in the lives of Christians. It is not that God simply arranges circumstances that serendipitously bring money to Christians, but that Christ’s character qualities of honesty, integrity, and industry cause Christians to love work enough to excel at it in one way or another. And when a society has a sufficient number of such people, they are able to increase social wealth through their love of honest work.
When people do what they love, they tend to get good at it; and getting good at something often brings financial rewards. Not always, of course, but often. The biblical connection between work, wealth, and Christianity is not aimed at individuals, but at societies. Christian societies tend to have a better standard of living than non-Christian societies. History knows this phenomena as the Christian Work Ethic. Societies that promote honesty, integrity, and industry are better able to improve through advancements in science and technology. And this has been the historical reality."
Western Christian ethos developed over centuries of laying the ground work of willing faithfulness. Christianity cannot be imposed, nor can Western civilization be imposed. It must grow, and that takes time, effort, and willing dedication.
What we (U.S. & Europe) have done is we have imported science and technology worldwide where it does not have the cultural institutions to sustain it. The lesson yet to be learned is that science and technology are the fruit of Christian character, and they cannot be maintained apart from honesty, integrity, and industry. Honesty means accurate data, integrity means no fraud, and industry means hard work.
"Moola
Paul’s mention of the “riches (πλοῦτος) of his grace” Ephesians 1: 7) points to a connection between God’s grace and wealth, literally money and possessions. The relationship between God’s grace and wealth issues from Christ’s character qualities involved in the imitation or reproduction of Christ’s likeness in the lives of Christians. It is not that God simply arranges circumstances that serendipitously bring money to Christians, but that Christ’s character qualities of honesty, integrity, and industry cause Christians to love work enough to excel at it in one way or another. And when a society has a sufficient number of such people, they are able to increase social wealth through their love of honest work.
When people do what they love, they tend to get good at it; and getting good at something often brings financial rewards. Not always, of course, but often. The biblical connection between work, wealth, and Christianity is not aimed at individuals, but at societies. Christian societies tend to have a better standard of living than non-Christian societies. History knows this phenomena as the Christian Work Ethic. Societies that promote honesty, integrity, and industry are better able to improve through advancements in science and technology. And this has been the historical reality."
from https://www.amazon.com/Ephesians-Recovering-Vision-Sustainable-Church-Christ/dp/0983904669/
Excellent. Another:Both Germany and Japanese because the US rebuilt them A miraculous, gracious act of goodwill...
I've felt this viscerally for years; it's great to see it explained so clearly! I'll be getting your book!