The Book that Made Your World: A review by Steven King

Available at Amazon.com

Abraham Lincoln is credited with saying, "The things I want to know are in books; my best friend is the man who'll get me a book I ain't [sic] read."


I have completed a wonderful book: The Book that Made Your World: How the Bible Created the Soul of Western Civilization and offer the following review for your enjoyment. If you have the means, you should read this book...

A popular children’s song does not mince words about the centrality of the Bible: the B-i-b-le, yes that’s the book for me; I stand upon the Word of God…the B-I-B-LE. How many have been reared singing this song and have never given thought to how pivotal the Bible has been in forming modern civilization?

Dr. Vishal Mangalwadi, author of thirteen books, noted political columnist, and intellectual giant from India, has written an amazing treatise  demonstrating that the Bible, understood as  the Word of God, served as the very ideological foundation of all political freedoms which seem to be taken for granted in the western hemisphere.  The Book That Made Your World traces the Bible’s influence of its devotees as they sought the betterment of humanity through the elevation of the individual.  Making life better for people erupted in a quest for truth and a desire for better ways to navigate life.  The development of universities and the proliferation of technology evolved as religious piety sought ways to assist people to help themselves and to make truth universal.

As he weaves his personal story of life in India through this narrative, Mangalwadi demonstrates how other world religions have failed to fully endorse mankind’s importance since their collective religious ideology subjugates mankind to inferiority. Certainly, Christianity is the only religious understanding of a loving God who cared enough for humanity to reach down to man through the incarnation of his Son, and the direct revelation of his Word.

The book is divided into convenient subheadings; such as, the development of rationality, revolution, and even heroism as being poignantly championed by Holy Writ.  Particularly stimulating is Mangalwadi’s development of historical scientific speculation.  In the modern era, many are taught to disdain the Bible as being inferior to scientific theory.  Such cynics would do well to mull over the fact that over 60% of science’s earliest founders were Christians motivated by their understanding of the Bible.

The premise of this book is clear and well written: as the sun begins to set on the West, what appears to be a rapid descent can be changed if Westerners will simply return to their roots. The Bible has helped to produce the very essence of Western civilization and as the West discards the Bible, it seals its fate.

Dr. Mangalwadi minces no words as he demonstrates that other so called “great” religions of the world have failed to champion humanity as the adherents of the Bible have.  This intellectual tome should serve as fodder for the exchange of ideas around the water cooler, in the classroom, and in the pews of churches around the world.  It is commended highly as a textbook on historical Christian ideology or as stimulation for the Christian intelligentsia.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 

You can read more about Vishal Mangalwadi and his efforts to ameliorate the conditions of the poor in India at http://www.revelationmovement.com/