Passing the secret sauce

I found this excerpt interesting:

The Harvard historian Niall Ferguson, who has just written a book, Civilization: The West and the Rest, puts things in historical context: "For 500 years the West patented six killer applications that set it apart. The first to download them was Japan. Over the last century, one Asian country after another has downloaded these killer apps — competition, modern science, the rule of law and private property rights, modern medicine, the consumer society and the work ethic. Those six things are the secret sauce of Western civilization."

This is not the only book to examine what unique combination of characteristics allowed Western Civilization to dominate for half a millenium. Sadly, while other nations are moving to adopt at least hybridized versions of these traits, the U.S. and Europe seem (literally?) hell-bent on abandoning many of them, as witnessed by the links above.

I'd argue at least four, if not five of the traits are rooted in the West's former Christian/Biblical worldview. Science prospered on the basis of belief in a rational created universe. The rule of law, at least as practiced by the West, was heavily influenced by the Mosaic Law, as was the concept of private property and the work ethic. Modern medicine, growing out of science, shares this lineage as well.

Clearly, other nations around the world are approaching or approximating these ingredients. Without the Christian worldview as a foundation for them, I suspect they won't enjoy as much success. There's no doubt, though, that many in Africa and Asia are coming to the Faith. Even in China.

Imagine 100 years from now, a Christianized China finally reaching its economic potential within a less draconian social order...and sending missionaries to a secularized, decrepit West. Wouldn't that be a kick in the pants?