Therefore, the research findings of the American sociologist Alvin J. Schmidt, who taught at Illinois College, are particularly enlightening. Schmidt describes the influence of Christianity in the context of historical development and demonstrates in which areas Christianity has shaped Western culture. Especially when comparing the situation at the time of Jesus to today, for example regarding human rights, moral concepts, the understanding of marriage and women, and the profound changes brought about by Christianity, the revolutionary impact of Jesus' message becomes clear, which has lost none of its explosive power; on the contrary. Accordingly, the social order and law have also changed. But Schmidt goes further. He outlines how the worldview of Christianity has paved the way for scientific research.