Page 115 - History of Christianity - Student Textbook

How many people can one man’s ideas influence? Ever thought about that question? How many
people could come to Christ if you are faithful and obedient to your calling to be a witness to the
ends of the earth?

Karl Marx was the father of Communism. His ideas are the major doctrines of communism and socialism
which have shaped the course of modern history. Entire countries have believed his ideas. As a result, wars
have been fought over his ideologies. Here are some startling facts: 65 million were killed in China, 30 million
in the Soviet Union, 25% of the population of Cambodia (2 million), and in Africa, 1.7 million have died. In fact,
from 1917 to 2017, more than 100 million (that’s 100,000,000 people) have been killed as a result of
Communism. Ideas have consequences and can shape lives for eternity!

21.4 Let’s Practice…

1. How was David Livingston’s missionary style different than most conventional missionaries?

2 – 4. Give three major purposes of Livingston’s travels into the interior of Africa:

5. What happened to Livingston when he spoke out about racial tolerance?

6. What major “wonder of the world” did Livingston discover that captivated the minds of men back home?

7. What was Africa called before Livingston came there as a missionary?

8. What were the results of David Livingston’s missionary endeavors?

9. Karl Marx was an evolutionist. How did that affect his political views?

10. What was Marx’s most influential work that led to the rise of Communism?

11. How did Marx view religion?

12. What were the results of Marx’s works as nations applied his ideas to their political practices?

21.5 Let’s Personalize this Lesson…

Activity: Have you ever heard the saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword?” What this means is
when people write down their ideas and people adopt them in their thinking, that those ideas have more
power than a person wielding a sword. History has shown that this saying is very true. Karl Marx wrote
down his ideas about how a government of a country should operate. Many governments adopted his
ideas. As a result, 100,000,000 people have been killed by communist governments. A vast number of
nations still promote his views and hold their people as slaves to a failed system of government.

Take time to thank the Lord for the freedom you have to live for Christ and share the Gospel to those around
you. Thank the Lord that you have a copy of God’s Word and can read it daily. We are so privileged, as many
today do not have those freedoms.

114