The Industrial Revolution from a Christian

Perspective

       As Christians, we must analyze all of history in light of our beliefs.  The Industrial Revolution is no exception.

        The Industrial Revolution was great for us today because without all the inventions we would be living in a run-down, primative society. However, today we have basically everything and have nothing to complain about. Bad things, too, resulted from the Industrial Revolution such as pollution- dirt and smog. We can see both the good and the bad things that happened in the time of the Revolution.  Today, however the benifits are more prevelent in our society than the problems--so for us the clime in industry was a positive thing.  But how should we veiw it as a Christian?

       The Bible tells us in Colossians 1:15-22  that all events in history are pointing and pulling us towards the comming of Christ and the end of time.  We can see this theme very clearly in the history of the Industrial Revolution.  In the beginning of time, God placed barriers throughout creation to keep people from uniting as one kingdom and fulfilling the prophecy that AntiChrist would rule one united kingdom on earth.  God also set in place also language barriers to keep them diversified as nations.  Throughout time, God allows for the breaking of these barriers by humans to get us closer to the end of time.  The Industrial Revolution was used by God in His providence.  He used it in a big way to break down many of the barriers really fast. 

        Natural barriers like land and water were overcome by the inventions of the steamboat and the steam engine in the locomotive, which sped up transportation and allowed nations to become economically and socially unified.  Other barriers like the distances between countries and people were overcome by telegraphs and radios.

      The break down of these barriers points us in the direction of the end of time.  Once all of the barriers are overcome and the world is united,  the AntiChrist will come and rule, which will lead to the return of Christ to earth.

      Another way God used the Industrial Revolution was to allow technology to advance so that the gospel could spread to all the corners of the earth.  With the inventions that came about in the Industrial Revolution, our wittness and testimony to the world is made easier to achieve.  Things like the radio broadcasting of sermons and etc.. are possible today because of the influence of the Industrial Revolution in 1750-1850.

10 Ways we see the Industrial Revolution Today

1. Labor Unions

2.  Regulations on Child Labor

3.  The use of coal as a major fuel source

4. Many of the rights that women have today were gained during the Industrial Revolution

5. Better Wages for workers

6. Government involvment and regulation of working conditions

7. Faster transportation--such as the train

8. Entertainment

9. Better Housing and Sanitation

10. Communication advances like the telegragh and the radio

The change that we can see in the lives

of children after the Industrial Revolution