Section 17

The setting for Christianity

Christianity was associated with a prodigious burst of creativity.

Marked by the rapidly mounting exploration by man of his physical environment

The name psychology was given they endeavored to disclose the workings of their own and others’ minds.

The knowledge and mastery of the physical environment contributed to change the life of mankind.

The Challenge of Threat

Threatened the existence of Christianity

Christianity might seem to be prepared for its own downfall.

Influential intellectuals repudiated Christianity or promulgated views which shook the faith.

Nationalism and the growing power and expanding functions of the nation state added to the threat.

The Challenge of Opportunity

Christianity was also challenged by an unprecedented opportunity.

Here was an opportunity to help mold the future of non-Occidental mankind.

Occidental peoples broke down political and cultural barriers which stood in way of Christianity.

Wealth of Europeans supplied Christians with material means of support.

Preview of the Response

De-Christianization of much of Christendom continued

Revolutions in non-Occidental cultures was the progressive secularization of mankind

For the first time in its history Christianity made its inherent genius and became worldwide.

Christianity in spite of adverse conditions was more remarkable when it is contrasted with the course of other religious.