Question of the Week: Is Culture Better or Worse Because of Christians?

Obviously, the answer to this question should be yes. But is it?In our community group last night, we began going through Tim Keller's Gospel in Life video series and the first lesson was on the way the gospel intersects with the city. To set it up, Keller talks about how culture changed as a result of both Israel and the church. The treatment of the sick and elderly had a complete reversal, the explosion of art and literature, the system of justice and economics, human rights, etc. all grew from Christianity influencing culture.In fact, in Jeremiah 29, God commands the Israelites to make the city of Babylon better. As we invest in the welfare of the city, the gospel transforms the city's life, and our lives as well.But are we doing this? Is culture better because of the church? Are we cultivating creativity in our culture? Are we making our cities a refuge for the broken and stranger? Are we upholding and doing justice to others and leading the culture in doing so as well?Is culture better or worse because of Christianity?