REMAKING THE WORLD - How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West (Review)

Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West, is, as they say in Glasgow, “Pure dead brilliant!”

Intelligently written, educational, peppered with allusions to classic writings and pop-culture, inventions, ancient cultures and industrial practices, social mores, Overton window-pane replacements, explorers, composers, hymn-writers, playwrights, poets, philosophers, theologians, preachers, politicians et al.1776 seems to have been the year, that for once, all the ducks got in a row, (the chakras balanced?), and the stars aligned! Remarkable! Amazing grace!  Yes, the Declaration of Independence and many of its signatories are given detailed attention.

Wilson investigates and gives insightful commentary as to what was going on in the world to bring about 1776. Though drizzled with humour, the helpful diagrams, informative footnotes and copious endnotes betray that this is indeed a scholarly work.

Glasgow’s motto is: “Let Glasgow flourish by the preaching of Thy Word and the praising of Thy name.” Back in the day when its churches were fuller, Glasgow had world-renown for her shipbuilding on her River Clyde. To worldwide applause, “Clyde built!” was her stamp of approval. Wilson’s “pure dead brilliant” book clearly demonstrates that the West is “Gospel built!”