Christianity In The Early 20th Century Essay

In the early 20th century, a reawakening of Christianity emerged This spiritual revival emerged and drastically changed the face of Christianity in the later part of the century. Out of this Christian revival several movements were birthed and philosophies were revolutionized, from the dawn of the modern evangelical movement to social justice initiatives, which still shape society in the present day. In this essay, we will explore why this spiritual awakening occurred, what were its impacts during the 20th century, Western Civilization, The civil right movement and how this revival continues to shape societal norms today.

The 1914 revival of Christianity had a significant impact on 20th-century society, with its causes and consequences continuing

According to UG Poiger (2000), these values were integral to the development of the Cold War, as countries such as the United States and the Soviet Union used them to justify their respective ideologies. The Christian values of individual liberty and freedom of conscience were used to argue for the promotion of freedom and democracy in the West, while the Soviet Union argued the importance of collective action and a strong government in order to protect the interests of the working class. This clash of values was a key factor in the Cold War, as each side sought to promote its own values while attempting to undermine the other's. Additionally, the Christian values of justice and mercy were used to guide decisions and actions in matters such as international law, nuclear disarmament, and human rights. As such, it is clear that Christian values played a significant role in the politics of the post-WWII and Cold War eras, influencing both foreign and domestic

In the wake of the war, the “American self-image” (Lipset, 1997) was that of a “Christian nation” (Berkhofer, 1978). This religious identity was reflected in the country’s Cold War foreign policy, with the country advocating for democracy and capitalism as the “God-ordained” (Rousas, 2007) forms of government to be implemented in other nations. This is evidenced by the political rhetoric of leaders such as President Dwight Eisenhower, who regularly invoked Christian language and ideals as part of his public speeches. Eisenhower’s emphasis on the “duty of the citizen” (Eisenhower, 1961) was rooted in his Christian faith, as he often spoke of the “active role of the Christian in the world” (Eisenhower, 1962). This rhetoric was echoed by other prominent political figures, such as Senator Barry Goldwater, who argued that “Christianity is the only foundation upon which this nation can be built” (Goldwater, 1964). In addition to influencing political discourse, Christianity also had an impact on the policies of the United States during this period. For example, the United States’ opposition to Communism was often framed in religious terms, with President Ronald Reagan famously referring to the Soviet Union as an “evil empire” (Reagan, 1983). This language was reflective of the country’s religious identity and its perceived duty to protect Christianity