Remaking the World Quotes

“The words of Augustus Toplady, written at the start of 1776, still hold true: “Providence, unerring providence, governs all events. And grace, unchangeable grace, is faithful to its purpose. May we live by faith on both.”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West

“If the central tenets of Christianity correspond to reality—if God is love, creation is good, humans are image bearers, sin is forgivable, Christ is risen, death is temporary, and justice is coming—then our commitment to human rights and equality reflect divine warrant rather than wish fulfilment, and the world is an immeasurably more hopeful and more meaningful place than it is if they do not.19 We should all want that.”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West

“We are storytelling creatures, so narrating origin stories is inevitable. Indeed, since it is impossible to be theologically neutral when it comes to history, narrating theological origin stories is probably inevitable. The only question is whether those origin stories are true, good, and beautiful: whether they reflect what really happened and why; whether they nudge us toward courageous humility and love; whether they recount the wondrous deeds of the Lord alongside the successes and failures of human beings. The arrogance of amnesia is always a threat, not least in periods of great technological and economic change, and so is the defeatism born of weary cynicism about flawed ancestors.”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West

“By contrast, when you read people who have thought seriously about the deeper historical and cultural forces that have shaped the modern West, you find a rather different picture emerging.22 Fidelity scores higher than novelty. Loss of influence is not a cause for panic. The doctrines, experiences, and practices that the church needs today are much the same as the ones she needed in the eighteenth century, and the tenth, and the second. We are responsible for obedience not outcomes, faithfulness not fruit; if we do not see the results we used to by praying, worshiping, reading Scripture, serving the poor, preaching the gospel, sharing the sacraments, and loving one another, we carry on with those things regardless and walk by faith not by sight. Genuine revival, when it comes, is at God’s initiative rather than ours. In the meantime, we wait, rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, giving thanks in all circumstances, and resolving not to be anxious about tomorrow, for we have no idea what tomorrow will bring.”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West

“You long for transcendence and are likely to describe yourself as spiritual, open to the supernatural, and even as praying sometimes. Even if the God of Abraham is dead to you, your language, legal framework, moral imagination, and sense of self are all haunted by his ghost.4”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West

“Another result of amnesia is arrogance, and it is available in both conservative and progressive flavors. In the progressive version, our current mores are self-evidently correct, which means that anyone who thought differently a hundred years ago, or even ten years ago, must have been either stupid or evil (or both). In the conservative version, the only reasons for a person’s success are their own ability and effort, which means that anyone who highlights the importance of historical privileges, or oppression, must be either jealous or lazy (or both).”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West

“Fundamental to your understanding of human freedom is the capacity to make choices. From breakfast cereals to career paths, fabric softeners to family size, marriage partners to religious commitments, you expect to be able to choose for yourself rather than acting out of legal compulsion or familial obligation. Remarkably, all of these things are true regardless of whether you are male or female.”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West

“In an era of instant news, amnesia is baked in. And amnesia has consequences.”
― Andrew Wilson, Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West