How the Spread of Christianity Changed the World

The worldwide spread of Christianity changed the world on a fundamental level. The impacts can still be seen in the more than 2 billion people that today form part of one of the many denominations of Christianity. From changing the foundations of cultures globally, to changing the structures of empires and state governments, the Faith has made its way into every part of society.

How Christianity changed the world

Cultural and Moral Shifts

Before the spread of the Gospel, the world believed in a mix of polytheistic religions that worshipped large pantheons of gods who they had to appease through sacrifice and other rituals. The monotheistic framework of Christianity removed the need for ritualistic sacrifice, instead emphasizing a personal relationship with God and forgiveness through grace.

This ideological shift changed the priorities of ancient cultures, bringing the principles of love, forgiveness, self-sacrifice and the individual’s dignity to the forefront. Believers of the Faith created institutions focused on caring for the weak and sickly, which aligned with Jesus Christ’s teachings.

Social and Institutional Change

The introduction of Christian culture inspired the establishment of charitable organizations such as hospitals, hospices, and shelters for the orphaned and impoverished. The ancient world found no need for the downtrodden, but the teachings of Jesus Christ influenced believers to care for these people and give themselves wholly to these causes.

The community established by the Church also shifted cultural lines, creating a unifying ground of belief that broke down the barriers of class, gender, and ethnicity. The Faith was particularly vital in increasing the standing of women in society, recognizing their spiritual equality, and empowering them to have significant roles in the framework of the community.

Political and Legal Influence

Many were martyred for their beliefs for the first couple of centuries of Christianity’s existence. However, this changed with the conversion of Emperor Constantine and the Edict of Milan, which enabled the interaction between church and state to begin. The values and morals taught by Christ influenced the legal codes of ancient societies, such as the prohibition of infanticide and cruelty in the Roman Empire.

The Church and its institutions also provided much-needed stability towards the end of the Roman Empire, extending its life and shaping post-Roman governments by paving the way for Christian monarchies. It also changed the way monarchs and leaders were viewed, as rulers were now held to a moral and just standard that required them to work towards the good of the common folk, which subsequently led to revolution when these standards were not met.

Cultural Legacy and Education

The integration of Greco-Roman thought with Christian ideology led to the preservation of classical knowledge. This integration trickled its way into the world by way of the teaching of advanced literacy as tools for spiritual growth alongside the study of scripture. The Catholic church’s particular focus on advancing the sciences and mathematics as a way of understanding God’s creation led to the invention of the Gregorian calendar, along with many other breakthroughs.

People’s devotion to the Faith also led to advances in architecture and the arts, as grand cathedrals were built to honor God, and art sought to do the same by trying to capture divinity on mosaics, canvases and musical pieces. New ideologies also sparked new philosophies and debates, bridging the gap between ancient ideas and medieval scholasticism. This mixture of thought and education influenced Western doctrines for centuries.