Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 110:438 (Apr 1953)
Article: Book Reviews
Author: Anonymous

BSac 110:438 (Apr 53) p. 176

Book Reviews

Christianity and Civilisation, Part I, Foundations. By Emil Brunner. Charles Scribner’s, New York. 172 pp. $2.50.

Originally given as the Gifford Lectures at the University of St. Andrews in 1947, this book presents the essential problems of a Christian civilization. The trend toward destruction of western civilization is viewed as a result of the decline of the Christian elements in our modern world.

Approaching the problem from the combined viewpoint of theology and philosophy, the author analyzes the trend away from Christianity as found in such essentials as reality, truth, time, meaning, man, personality, humanity, justice, freedom, and creativity. In all of these areas he finds the trend of the world is toward a positivistic or naturalistic philosophy with resultant destruction of the respective, Christian definition of these concepts. The impending destruction of western civilization is linked causally with the decline of Christianity. Largest factor in this is the use of totalitarianism, which he finds is a result of this decline and the probable immediate cause of the fall of the civilization itself.

The conclusion of this preliminary treatment of the dangers facing civilization is that the modern world is at a crossroads. As the author puts it: “Humanity therefore is facing in our time, as at no time before, this alternative: either to continue along this road of the modern age, the road of emancipation from the Christian truth whih leads to the total effacement of anything truly human and perhaps even to its complete physical annihilation; or to go back to the source of justice, truth and love, which is the God of justice, truth and love in whom only lies the power of salvation” (p. 158).

While the reader may not agree with some of the statements in this work, the general thesis will be found to be correct—the ills of the modern world stem from abandonment of Christianity. Some may question whether modern civilization was ever truly Christian, but that the lessening of Christian influence goes hand in hand with the increasing danger to western civilization is true. The author, of course, does not share the faith of many Christians in a future millennial reign of Christ on earth as the answer to the problem of a truly Christian civilization, nor does he enter fully into the fact that the present essential purpose

BSac 110:438 (Apr 53) p. 177

of God is not the production of a Christian civilization. It may be questioned whether a Christian civilization is essential to Christianity, though Christianity may be the source of the influences which may cause a civilization to be regarded as Christian.

President John F. Walvoord...