The Inspiring Faith of Men and Women Who Changed the World

They Were Christian

The Bible says "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Some of our world's greatest influencers and changers throughout history were Christian and lived this model not only in their private lives but also in their vocations. Unfortunately, many people don't know much about their faith backgrounds and how their beliefs played into the contributions they made in our time. Are you interested in learning more about the faith-filled motivations behind some of the most outstanding political, scientific and humanitarian contributors of our history? Learn more about the faith of men and women who changed the world, inspired by the book "They Were Christians" by Cristobol Krusen.

Florence Nightingale

Many recognize Florence Nightingale from history as a nurse who gave her entire life to the cause of alleviating conditions for the poor, especially in hospitals and workhouses, particularly during the Crimean War. What many don't know is that Nightingale was a radical theologian and it was her mission to change things. She knew that she was guided by God and used the knowledge and strength provided by Him to write and publish several books on hospital planning and organization which helped save thousands of lives. She also realized God's role for women and did a lot to help the movement of women, showing that nursing was an acceptable role for women to take. She is certainly an example of how God can use an ordinary person to do extraordinary things.

Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass, a leading American abolitionist and former slave rejected all biblical justifications of slavery after living under the cruel institution himself. Douglass once said "Between the Christianity of this land and the Christianity of Christ, I recognize the widest possible difference". His master's wife taught him to read at a very young age, and as a result Douglass shared this knowledge with other slaves, encouraging them to read the New Testament and interpret Jesus Christ's message of equality. When he escaped slavery, Douglass settled and joined an integrated Methodist church where he met and befriended fellow abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. When he started his own weekly journal, The North Star, he challenged readers to question the contradiction between the institution of slavery and America's Christianity.

John D. Rockefeller

Industrialist and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller was a faithful Christian and modeled his faith in all areas of his life. He would read the Bible daily, attend prayer meetings twice a week and lead Bible study alongside his wife. He also rested on the Sabbath and gave tens of thousands of dollars to charity. Philanthropy was a big part of his life and he was committed to helping those in need. His philosophy of giving was guided on biblical principles. He actively believed and practiced Luke 6:38 "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you".

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky once said "If someone proved to me that Christ is outside the truth and that in reality the truth were outside of Christ, then I should prefer to remain with Christ rather than with the truth." Christian themes were featured throughout his works, emerging more explicitly in his later writings. He didn't have a problem critiquing Christianity in his work either. In one of his pieces, he affirms a character who believes passionately in Christlike love. When it came to answering the question "what is hell?" the character replies "It is the suffering of being unable to love." His social and political views were radical and his faith was deeply devout.