If you look back at the evolution of human civilization and include a study of the history of Christianity you can see it as part of God’s continuing creation. The small number of followers of Jesus in the 1st century gradually became over 2 billion in the 21st century, but that growth required learning periods and often conflict. The invention of the printing press in the 15th century led to substantial improvements in human learning ability and the number of people who could read and express their ideas through the written word rapidly increased. As a result the Reformation that followed in the 16th century involved intense conflict that split Christians into many different denominations.
Dramatic improvement in global communication in this 21st century has brought additional advancement in human learning ability so today children are learning what adults struggled with in the past. We are in the middle of another great learning period and that has produced a host of human conflicts around the world between those who want to cling to the past and those dreaming of a better future. In the countries where Islam is predominant, women and children are struggling to acquire greater freedom to learn and participate in their world. In the countries where Christianity predominates there is a new search for direction that has produced conflicts between conservative and liberal Christians.
Whenever there is conflict, each side is sure that they are the only ones who have the right answer. God has to keep pointing out that the right answer is usually found through teamwork when the two sides work together.
Robert C. Frank
Author of: Christ’s Team
