The Year that Changed Everything: A Review of Remaking the World

Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West by Andrew Wilson is a compelling book. It provides an accessible exploration of the cultural and ideological shifts and how these shifts have shaped the modern Western world. Wilson focuses on the remarkable events of the year 1776—not just the American Declaration of Independence, but also the publication of pivotal works by thinkers like Adam Smith, Edward Gibbon, and Thomas Paine, as well as the birth of figures like Thomas Malthus. He argues that these developments together formed a cultural boom, launching ideas of freedom, progress, and secularism that continue to shape the Western mind.

I live about one mile, maybe two, from where Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. Yorktown, Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg – history is literally at my doorstep. In fact, this whole region is already preparing for an influx of tourists for the country’s 250th celebration next year. I think my proximity to these locations made this book even more fascinating for me. I appreciated Wilson’s long view of history – so often we think that what happened hundreds of years ago certainly has no impact on society today. But when we step back and truly look at trajectories and the 10,000 foot picture, the connections Wilson makes in his book make sense. Not only do they make sense, but they help me, as a parent of four young adults immersed in today’s culture, better understand the issues that trouble them, or their response to worldwide events. Wilson’s words also helped me to think differently about my role as a Christ-follower in this post-Christian world.

Wilson writes with clarity and insight, weaving together theology, history, and cultural analysis in a way that’s both intellectually rich and spiritually engaging. His perspective as a Christian pastor gives him a unique lens to assess the philosophical underpinnings of our age, particularly how they contrast with a biblical worldview. Rather than simply lamenting secularization, Wilson seeks to understand it—showing how we got here and what it means for Christians trying to live faithfully in a post-Christian society. Remaking the World is thoughtful, timely, and provocative—a valuable resource for anyone wanting to better understand the roots of modern Western thought and its implications for faith today.