Here I present: Michael H. Hart, “The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History“, 1978.
INTRODUCTION.
Michael H. Hart listed the top ten (10) most influential as:
1. Muhammad
2. Isaac Newton
3. Jesus Christ
4. Buddha’
5. Confucius
6. Saint Paul
7. Ts’ai Lun
8. Johann Gutenberg
9. Christopher Columbus
10. Albert Einstein’
Two (2) physicists: Isaac Newton & Albert Einstein’ changed “civilization” by being “calendar keepers”. Two (2) inventors: Ts’ai Lun & Johann Gutenberg gave to “civilization” “writing paper” & “paper printing”. Many others on the Michael H. Hart 100 list are spiritual leaders. BELOW is my view of Saint Paul being in the top (10) most influential in history.
Saint Paul Sixth Most Influential in History.
The conversion of the Gentiles (non-Jews) was a pivotal development that transformed early Christianity from a Jewish sect into a distinct, universal religion open to all people. The Apostle Paul was the central figure in championing and achieving this widespread inclusion, arguing that faith in Jesus Christ, not adherence to Mosaic Law (such as circumcision or dietary laws), was the path to salvation.
Paul’s Mission: After his dramatic conversion, Jesus commissioned Paul specifically to be the “apostle to the Gentiles“. Paul traveled extensively throughout the Roman Empire (Asia Minor, Greece, etc.), establishing churches and evangelizing non-Jewish populations with great success.
Long-Term Consequence: The successful inclusion of Gentiles allowed Christianity to flourish across the Roman world, positioning it to become the dominant religion of Western Europe and a distinct faith separate from Judaism.
