Emmy-nominated actor John Rhys-Davies, best known for his iconic roles as Sallah in the Indiana Jones films and Gimli in The Lord of the Rings series, recently shared his deep appreciation for Christianity’s impact on the world. Though not a man of faith himself, Rhys-Davies spoke passionately about the profound contributions Christianity has made to civilization, calling it “the greatest attempt at living morally and justly that there has ever been on earth.”

Rhys-Davies, whose recent projects include faith-based films such as I Am Patrick, The Apostle Paul: Redemption, and Beyond the Mask, continues his journey into faith-centered storytelling with his latest role as the narrator in Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. The project, a podcast series by Hope Media Group and Compassion International, also features the voices of Sean Astin, Bethany Joy Lenz, and Ben Barnes. Through this series, Rhys-Davies explores the timeless story of redemption, drawing attention to the values that Christianity has championed throughout history.

“I am absolutely in love with Western European Christian civilization,” Rhys-Davies told Crosswalk Headlines. It has given us and the world these glorious things like the right of the individual conscience, the right of free speech, the right of free assembly, democracy, the abolition of slavery, and the concept of a just war.” He highlighted that these ideals are central not only to Western society but also to the moral fabric of global civilization.

Despite his Protestant upbringing, Rhys-Davies does not identify as a Christian. Still, he remains an ardent admirer of Christianity’s positive influence on culture and society. He believes the Christian faith has shaped the world in ways that no other religion or belief system has.

Among the many gifts Christianity has bestowed, Rhys-Davies points to music as one of its most remarkable. He credits early Christians with creating music to “praise the Lord,” a movement that led to the mass, which in turn influenced the classical music tradition. “That is just one of the great glories of mankind in itself,” he said.

Art, too, is an area where Christianity’s influence has been immense. Throughout church history, Christians have painted stirring scenes, crafted intricate murals, and sculpted inspiring statues that portray Biblical narratives and saints. Rhys-Davies mentioned 15th-century painter Jan van Eyck, whose faith-driven innovations in painting gave the world unforgettable depictions of saints, the Madonna, and the Annunciation. “The whole tradition of Western art comes from there,” Rhys-Davies said. “Good Lord, do we know what abundance we have? We should be celebrating it, and we do celebrate it.”