What if Jesus Christ had not been born? What If the Bible Had Never Been Written?
If Christ had never been born, the world would be a far more miserable place, as Western civilization has been profoundly and positively shaped by his life and teachings. If the Bible had never been written, Western history, morality, and law would likely look unrecognizable.
What would we not have today?
Christianity has profoundly shaped the value of human life by introducing the concept of intrinsic dignity, largely grounded in the theological belief that every human is created in God's image. This doctrine has historically driven advancements in equality, human rights, care for the vulnerable, and the abolition of practices like infanticide and slavery. Jesus has had an enormous benefit to humankind.
Christianity has profoundly impacted care for the poor by establishing charity as a core theological duty, emphasizing that serving the needy is a direct act of devotion to God. Throughout history, this has led to the creation of organized charity, hospital, and orphanage systems. Today, Christian initiatives provide significant relief, including about 60% of US emergency shelter beds.
Christianity has profoundly shaped education by promoting universal literacy, founding many of the world’s earliest universities, and developing a holistic approach to mind, body, and spirit. It emphasizes integrating faith with academics, fostering moral character, and, particularly through Reformation-era efforts, encouraging literacy to enable independent reading of Scripture. Christianity promoted Education For Everyone. The Christian roots of literacy are deep, with the faith historically serving as a major driver in the development of written languages, the preservation of texts, and the establishment of schools for broad populations. The core belief that individuals should read the Scriptures themselves (the "priesthood of all believers") served as a major catalyst for universal literacy. By the 350 AD, church and cathedral schools taught theology, grammar, rhetoric, logic, and sciences (arithmetic, astronomy). Christian schooling was a pioneer in educating both genders, departing from the exclusive education of the rich common in the Greco-Roman world. The Protestant Reformation, led by figures like Martin Luther, prioritized translating the Bible into the common language (vernacular) of the people. Luther emphasized that parents were responsible for teaching their children to read the Scriptures. Reformers like John Calvin and John Comenius advocated for schools for all, establishing systems that merged literacy with religious and civic education. The invention of the printing press was driven by the desire to produce Bibles, allowing for mass distribution of literature. Many of the first universities—including Paris, Oxford, Cambridge, and later Harvard and Yale—were founded by Christians and church bodies for the study of theology and related disciplines.
Western science was founded in the European Renaissance and Scientific Revolution. Christianity profoundly shaped the Renaissance by acting as the primary patron of the arts and science. Most of the early Western scientists were Christian. Western scientists' faith often serves as a motivation to explore the "grand design" of the creator. Prominent Christian figures like" Isaac Newton, Nicolaus Copernicus, Johannes Kepler, Robert Boyle, Francis Bacon, Paracelsus, Leonardo da Vinci, Andreas Vesalius, William Gilbert, Luca Pacioli, John Napier, Gerolamo Cardano, François d'Aguilon, Petrus Apianus, Gemma Frisius, Marin Getaldić, Guidobaldo del Monte, Pedro Nunes, William Oughtred, Luca Pacioli, Robert Recorde, Niccolò Fontana Tartaglia, Rene Descartes, Ambroise Paré, Blaise Pascal, William Harvey, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, and Galileo believed that studying the natural world was a way to understand God, with many viewing science as a "Christian service. (Note: Galileo's problems were due to breaking a promise to the Pope, lying to him about his book before writing it.)
Christianity has profoundly shaped Western music by developing musical notation, pioneering polyphony, and establishing foundational classical structures through figures like Bach, Beethoven, and Mozart. Western music drove the creation of hymns, choral music, and classical masterpieces, while later influencing genres like gospel, soul, and rock 'n' roll through spirituals. Medieval monks developed musical notation to standardize church liturgy, transitioning music from oral tradition to written form. The church fostered the development of polyphonic music (multiple voices) in the Renaissance and the use of major and minor scales. The loss of Western music would leave the world a very sad place.
Michelangelo, Caravaggio, and Rembrandt are among the most significant painters in Christian art history, recognized for conveying profound spiritual, emotional, and theological narratives. Michelangelo is known for his monumental Sistine Chapel frescoes, while Caravaggio is famous for intense, realistic biblical scenes, and Rembrandt for deeply emotional, soul-searching portraits of biblical stories. Leonardo da Vinci (1452–1519): Painted The Last Supper, perhaps the most recognizable Christian painting, which revolutionized narrative art by capturing the raw human reactions of the disciples. The loss of Western painting, sculpture, and music would leave a world of much less beauty.
Christianity profoundly shaped the Renaissance by acting as the primary patron of the arts, driving humans to study early Christian texts, and fostering a unique fusion of classical antiquity with spiritual themes. While fostering intellectual growth, the church remained the central cultural and artistic force. Scholars like Erasmus studied Greek/Hebrew scriptures, pushing for a return to original biblical texts, which eventually helped lead to the Protestant Reformation. Religious art moved toward increased realism, with artists often focusing on the humanity of Jesus Christ, as seen in the works of Caravaggio and others.
During the Middle Ages, church schools and monasteries preserved, saved, and transmitted classical learning, history, and literature. The Church copied and preserved ancient Greek and Latin texts for the future.
Christianity has profoundly shaped Western literature by introducing themes of redemption, sin, grace, and resurrection, while elevating allegorical and confessional genres. Its impact spans from medieval, church-influenced masterpieces like Dante's Divine Comedy to the Protestant-influenced modern novel and the moral, introspective works of authors like C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce and Chronicles of Narnia. Also, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings. Absence of thousands of literary works would leave a void in the real world and imagination.
Slavery may still be legal: In 1833, Christians got the UK to pass the Slavery Abolition Act, led by Christian Abolitionist William Wilberforce. In 1863, Abraham Lincoln ended slavery in the US. Christian Abolitionists like John Brown and others started the abolition movement that led to the Civil War to end slavery in the US. Slavery is wrong. Exodus 21:16, Deuteronomy 24:7, 1 Timothy 1:10, Philemon 1:15-16, Exodus 21:2, Deuteronomy 15:12, Leviticus 25:10, Jeremiah 34:9-10, Galatians 3:28.
Christianity played a foundational, constructive role in the rise of Western science by promoting the idea that a rational Creator made an orderly, intelligible universe worthy of study. Medieval monasteries preserved knowledge, while early modern scientists (Newton, Kepler) viewed scientific discovery as a religious endeavor to understand divine design, establishing the empirical and mathematical basis for modern science. Christianity historically fostered the rise of modern science by providing a theological framework that viewed nature as ordered, rational, and worthy of study. Many pioneering scientists were Christians who believed that investigating the universe was a way to understand God's work. While conflicts exist, many view the two as complementary. Christian scholars and scientists have made notable contributions to the fields of science and technology as well as medicine, both historically and in modern times. Some scholars state that Christianity contributed to the rise of the Scientific Revolution. Between 1901 and 2001, about 56.5% of Nobel prize laureates in scientific fields were Christians, and 26% were of Jewish descent (including Jewish atheists).
Christianity fundamentally shaped Western medicine by introducing the concept of universal charity, which spurred the creation of hospitals and established nursing as a noble profession. Grounded in the "Divine Physician" model, early Christians provided consistent, compassionate care to all—regardless of social status—pioneering the institutionalization of care for the poor, infirm, and plague-stricken.
Almost every university and college founded in the U.S. and Europe until the mid-19th century, and many afterwards, were founded by some Christian organization. The degree of control exercised by these varies, but it is safe to say that no college or university has been unaffected by the Christian background of the university.
Most scientific and technical innovations prior to the Scientific Revolution were achieved by societies organized by Christian traditions. Ancient Christian scholars pioneered individual elements of the scientific method. Historically, Christianity has been and still is a patron of the sciences. It has been prolific in the foundation of schools, universities and hospitals, and many Christian clergy have been active in the sciences and have made significant contributions to the development of science.
In 369, First Christian Hospital, Basilia, was established by St. Basil of Caesarea. First institutionalized hospital, functioning as a precursor to modern, public, long-term care facilities. Christian nursing care originated in the earliest days of Christianity, with documented care during smallpox epidemics in AD 165–180 and measles outbreaks around AD 250. Early Christians, following the teachings of Jesus, provided care to the sick and marginalized, with Phoebe in the 1st century recognized as an early deaconess providing such care.
Christianity has deeply influenced Western economic history, shaping concepts of work, fair exchange, and the development of capitalism. Key impacts range from medieval Scholastic teachings on "just pricing" to the Protestant work ethic (viewing labor as a calling).
While most nations developed Architecture, Western Architecture took building to a new level. Western Architecture historical progression through Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Modernist styles, focusing on harmony, symmetry, engineering innovation, and monumental design.
Civil liberties would not be very good. From the Bible, Judges must not show partiality. (part of today called not above the law). Leviticus 19:15, Exodus 23:3-6, Deuteronomy 1:17, Deuteronomy 16:18-20, Judges do not take bribes. At least two or three witnesses to establish truth, validate testimony, or confirm charges of wrongdoing. Deuteronomy 19:15, Matthew 18:16 Justice is best with fair witnesses. Exodus 20:16 Having laws that one is responsible for their animals' behavior. . Exodus 21:28-36 Liability for Negligence, also restitution. Especially regarding safety and negligence. The death penalty is the maximum penalty; the family of the criminal is not to be harmed. Also, the death penalty is imposed by my government. Genesis 9:6, Exodus 21:12 Deuteronomy 24:16 Genesis 9:6, Romans 13:4, 2 Kings 14:6, Jeremiah 31:29-30 and Ezekiel 18. Without a fair justice system and a society that lives by ethical norms, the powerful and those with money could oppress the minority more. We see this in nations that do not govern by a Bible-based justice system.
Christianity drove democracy, the idea of "Government of The People, For The People, by The People". While the Greeks started democracy, Christianity improved it. The Greeks completely lacked the value of human life, which only Christianity has. This is found in The Declaration of Independence is: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"
Study after study has found that children develop best in a loving home with a mom and dad. (Children can and do develop OK in other families, but the odds are better in a loving home with a mom and dad.) A loving home with a mom and dad is only found in the pages of the Bible. Only Christianity elevated the Family. Other Holy Books are about the quest for spiritual knowledge or escaping the world. The Bible is based on reality and how to cope in this world. Research indicates that children generally experience better developmental, educational, and emotional outcomes when raised in stable, low-conflict, two-parent households. Studies often emphasize that the presence of both biological parents offers structural advantages, including greater economic stability and resources. Studies also show that children who are close to their parents are more likely to grow up kind, helpful, and prosocial. If you did not grow up in a loving home with a mom and dad, God offers to be your loving Heavenly Father. He offers love, mercy, and forgiveness to all who wish to accept His offer of forgiveness found in His Son, Jesus Christ. The offer is free, it can not be earned through any good deeds, see the God of the Bible page.
The 10 Commandments are a good foundation for a good civilization. Nations like the USA that formed there goverment and society on the 10 Commandments have done very well. 1) No other gods (this is not a law, but where a person's rights come from, [individuals are created equal and endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights, primarily life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness] 2) No idols (government should not establish gods) 3) Name in vain (a civil society is need) 4) Sabbath (right to have a day off work) 5) Honor your Parents (Parent's rights) 6) Not murder (in Law) 7) No adultery (was in law, now base for divorce) 8) Not steal (in law) 9) False witness (in law) 10) Not covet (premeditated taken in to account in law). John Adams in 1798: "Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other". Law of neglect, like liability for an uncovered hole one falls into. Exodus 21:33-34. Deuteronomy 22:8 Liability for Negligence also includes restitution. Especially regarding safety and negligence. The Bible's Golden Rule has a major impact on Western ethics. Golden Rule: "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 7:12; Luke 6:31). The loss of the Ten Commandments would move the world more toward relativistic or purely secular ethics. Communism's secular ethics have killed over 100 million people.
Fair bankruptcy laws are good. Deuteronomy 15:1-2, Exodus 22:25, Deuteronomy 24:6, Leviticus 25:35-37, Proverbs 22:7.
The elevation of the status of women. Women are made in the image of God and are equal in the sight of God. Written 2,000 years ago, Galatians 3:28, the Bible was way ahead of all other faiths, then and now. Genesis 1:27. In Islam, women are not equal. Hindu women are not equal. In Buddhism (based on Hinduism), women are not equal. Shinto women are not equal. Christianity was the first faith to declare equality. While the Atheistic views called for equality, they also murdered millions of women.
History has recorded the rise of alternative ancient religions and empires. These are ones without Christian values. Sadly, most of them put little or no value on human life. If these had grown, the world would be a darker place than it is today. We are thankful that human and child sacrifices are, for the most part, a thing of the past.
Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay colony was established for religious freedom and was designed as “plantations of religion” or a “city on a hill,” intending to live out Biblical principles and yet give all freedom of religion. The Mayflower Compact was a governing document signed on November 11, 1620, aboard the Mayflower by 41 adult male passengers, creating a "civil body politic" to establish order and self-rule in Plymouth Colony. It established the right to create fair laws for the common good of all. It helps frame the later US governing documents.
Christianity heavily influences politicians by shaping ideologies, voter priorities, and policy positions around moral issues. It fuels both the Christian right and Christian left. Faith provides a framework for leadership, urging integrity and public service, while also fostering debates on patriotism and the separation of church and state. Ethical Framework, Christian values such as humility, service, and justice as motivations for their public service and, in theory, as a guide for ethical decision-making.
The First Great Awakening (1730s–1740s) helped create a shared American identity. During the Revolution, many clergy and theologians argued for a "just war" against an unjust king, utilizing theological justifications for resistance. The declaration that all men are endowed by their Creator with rights is rooted in the Christian concept of individuals made in the image of God. Though the founders aimed for religious freedom and generally didn't seek a formal national church, the American democratic experiment was profoundly shaped by a Christian moral universe and theological framework.
Christianity profoundly influenced the founding of America, shaping its colonial origins, moral framework, and political thought. While not creating a theocracy, Christian principles, particularly from Protestantism, influenced the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution's design (separation of powers, checks and balances), and the development of American ideals regarding equality, liberty, and human rights.
The Nazi Aryan pagan cult culture, and the Imperial Japan death culture were so evil that the United States and England, with other nations of the world, had to end them with a violent war to unconditional surrender. Then start denazification and end Japan's militaristic death cult. Japan killed 30 million during World War 2 and Nazi killed 17 million. The strong Christian views of the United States and England on the value of human life and the willingness to sacrifice to end these pagan death cults were key in bringing about peace and ending the mass killings of civilians.
Changing lives for 2,000 years! There are so many lives that have been changed, it would be hard to list them all. Here are a few, and please see the Testimonies page for many more. Amazing Grace, lives Changed by Christ:
John Newton (1725–1807) was a slave ship captain, a pastor, and a prominent abolitionist. He wrote the song "Amazing Grace". John Newton on March 10, 1748, during a violent storm in the Atlantic Ocean, facing death, he cried out for divine mercy, leading to a slow, long-term transformation to faith.
C.S. Lewis (1898–1963) was a British author, Oxford/Cambridge scholar, and leading 20th-century Christian apologist known for his conversion from atheism. He wrote The Chronicles of Narnia, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters, blending faith with fantasy and literature to explore complex theological ideas. C.S. Lewis’s conversion was a 15-year journey from atheism to Christianity, culminating in September 1931 when he accepted Jesus Christ as the Son of God while riding in a motorcycle sidecar to a zoo. Influenced by friends like J.R.R. Tolkien, who argued that Christianity was the true, and his own intellectual struggle with objective morality, the formerly staunch atheist became a leading Christian apologist.
Jew to Christian (Jew to Yeshua Messianic Jew): Apostle Paul. Author Jonathan Cahn, musician Marty Goetz, and ministry leaders like Moishe Rosen (Jews for Jesus) and Rabbi Schneider. Notable Bob Dylan, historical scholar Isaac da Costa, Richard Wurmbrand (1909-2001) and many more. (1798-1860). See https://www.youtube.com/@jonathancahn.official https://www.youtube.com/@martygoetz https://www.youtube.com/@jewsforjesus https://www.youtube.com/@RabbiSchneider
Hinduism to Christianity: Former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt, and author/missionary Rabi Maharaj. Also educator Krishna Mohan Banerjee, poet Narayan Waman Tilak, and actor/model Christina Mohini.
Buddhism to Christianity: Athet Pyan Shinthaw Paulu from Myanmar: A former monk who led to his conversion and ministry. see https://navigatingbyfaith.com/journies-of-faith/spiritual-seekers/buddhist/. Sonam (Bhutan): A former Buddhist monk who converted after reading a Bible, later becoming a missionary. Sam Em: A former Buddhist monk in Cambodia who converted to Christianity and became a pastor, now sharing the Gospel in his community.
Islam to Christianity": Nabeel Qureshi, Mosab Hassan Yousef, Brother Rachid, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Magdi Allam. Taysir Abu Saada, a former PLO member and Yasir Arafat's personal driver who converted to Christianity and founded the ministry "Hope For Ishmael". Historical figure: Ubayd Allah ibn Jahsh, cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, who converted to Christianity in the early days of Islam, and many more.
New Agers to Christianity: Doreen Virtue, new-age top-selling author. Steven Bancarz, a former New Ager saved by Jesus. Jenn Nizza: a former psychic now warns others against occult practices. George Janko, Assyrian to new ager to Jesus. See https://www.youtube.com/@Doreen_Virtue https://www.youtube.com/@StevenBancarz https://www.youtube.com/@Expsychicsaved https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeJanko
Astronauts: Buzz Aldrin, James Benson Irwin and Charles Moss Duke, Jr.
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Western history, morality, and law would likely look unrecognizable.
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The Church is made of humans, the Bible states that humans are sinful, that is able to do great good and very bad. So it should be no surprise that the "Church" has done bad things in the past. Those who hate the God of the Bible are quick to point this out. Sometimes correctly and other times with spin or half-truth.
So many ask what about the wrongs done in the name of Christ. Some of the wrongs are real, like the Spanish Inquisition, which was an abuse of power in the name of Christ. The Catholic Church, at times, had too much power, and any group that gains too much power can abuse it. Over about 300 years about 5,000 people were killed in the Spanish Inquisition. The Catholic Church is very slow to apologize, but in 2000, for the historical sins of the Catholic Church, which included actions taken by the Inquisition and the Thirty Years' War, the Church apologized.
European Wars of Religion from 1520s–1648 were the Catholic Church's wars against the followers of the Reformation. These were two wars: the French Wars of Religion and the Thirty Years' War. The wars were both religious and political struggles for control of the Holy Roman Empire. The wars ended with the issuance of the Edict of Nantes in 1598. In 1997, the Catholic Church apologized for its role in the violence of the French Wars of Religion.
Other claims are not so true. From 1095–1291, the Crusade wars gave freedom to visit and worship in the Holy Land. From 1099 until 1291, the Kingdom of Jerusalem gave the city freedom of worship. The Crusade wars were about land, not killing in the name of Christ (though we are sure some did this). Islam had killed 100s of thousands in its conquering wars. In 637, Jerusalem fell to Islamic rule, as it killed on it conquering wars thrugh the Holy Land and into Asia Minor (now Turkey). The killing continued into Africa, into Spain, and the Armenian genocide (Armenian 1.5 million killed). In 1443, Christian Constantinople fell to Islamic rule, and thousands of Christians were killed for just being Christian in these conquering wars. This killing has not ended; each day, Christians are killed by Islamic rule for just being a Christian. The pope told the Crusaders to leave Constantinople alone, but the Crusaders did not obey and sacked Constantinople in 1204. This was not a sin of the church, but of a few bad men.
The Salem witch trials are often brought up due to the many books and movies about them. We now know that fungi in the wheat caused mental health problems that were blamed on dark spiritual witches. About 25 people died during the Salem witch trials (14 women, 5 men are known). To impose modern thinking on 1692 people is an error. If this were the cause, then we would have to condemn much of early medicine for bleeding people to death for hundreds of years.
Galileo is often cited as being wronged in the name of Christ. Sadly, his story is almost always spun rather than told in its entirety. Galileo was a good friend of the Pope. After he found the current (at that time) scientific model of the solar system was wrong (yes, the earth at the center was a view held by BOTH the church and science (the Copernicus model), Galileo went to the Pope and asked if it would be OK to write and publish a book on this new theory. The pope, said, yes, but please use the first half of the book to explain how we got the current model with the earth at the center, and then use the second half of the book to explain your new model with the sun at the center. He blessed Galileo and his new project. The pope loved and trusted Galileo so much that Galileo wrote his book and published it without the pope or anyone in the Church checking it first. The pope, understandably, was very upset to find that Galileo did not keep his promises. Galileo's book was only about his new sun-at-the-center model (heliocentrism) and belittled anyone who held a different view. Galileo's 1632 book, Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems, did not merely present new evidence; it strongly ridiculed defenders of the traditional view, which contributed to his condemnation by the Church and the pope. Galileo paid the price for his betrayal of the Pope's trust and broken promises in a show trial and house arrest.
In 2001, Pope John Paul II sent his first e-mail apologizing for the Catholic sex abuse cases (not reporting known cases of abuse). The Church as paid out $1.5 billion in restitution.
The consequences of removing Christianity from a nation and culture are recorded in the history books:
By contrast, atheistic materialism, communism, like Russia, and the Soviet Union (or China's Cultural Revolution, communist), have rarely issued broad apologies for killing millions (over 170 million) in the name of atheistic materialism, communism.
The French Revolution was inspired by the American Revolution, but the French Revolution was founded not on the Bible's teaching of human rights and the dignity of human life. The French Revolution (1789–1799) featured an intense, radical, and brief period of state-sponsored atheism, primarily through the dechristianization movement and the Cult of Reason. Aimed at abolishing Catholicism, this movement converted churches into "temples of reason" and promoted rationalist, materialist philosophies. In doing so it killed 300,000, with hundreds of thousands more killed in subsequent revolutionary wars. The 300,000 killed were regular civilians.
While the Russian Czar did not care enough for the good of his people, and this caused the Soviet Union atheism communist revolution. The russia communist revolution and purges killed over 24 million people.
China's atheism communist revolution has killed 50 million, with the killing continuing each day.
Cambodia atheism communist revolution and activities has killed 2 million.
North Korea atheism communist revolution and activities has killed millions.
Romania's atheism communist revolution and activities killed 2 million.
The Yugoslav atheism communist revolution and activities killed thousands.
Albania atheism communist regime over 25,000 deaths and over 100,000 were imprisoned in forced labor camps.
While colonial powers have abused those they colonized. In some places, when the Christian government was removed, mass killing happened. This was the case for England when it departed India, with 3 million people killed. This period was marked by extreme sectarian violence between Hindus, Muslims, and Sikhs. Along with the high death rate was the massive migration crisis that displaced up to 18 million people. India gained indpenance but a very high cost. Colonial powers were always more about land and resources than about religion. Though religious abuse did at times come with Colonial power.
Atheism communist regimes have been started in Africa: Ethiopia (1.2 million killed), Angola (1 million killed), Benin, and the Congo (100,000 killed), while Guinea (50,000 killed), Ghana, and Tanzania.
Note: There are those who are working to remove the Christian history of the founding of the United States. Also, at the same time, to remove the atheism death tolls.
Also see History of the Universe
Also see Bible vs Science
Also see the Christianity page
Ref:
What If the Bible Had Never Been Written? by D. James Kennedy
What if Jesus Had Never Been Born? by D. James Kennedy and Jerry Newcombe
Any good World History Books
.