Dominion tells the story of how the evolution of Western culture can be seen as the progressive influence of Christian values. Holland argues that Christian teachings and morality have become almost universally accepted, even though Christian theology and ceremonies remain largely confined within religious communities. In Dominion, portraits of key figures and important events throughout history, from 479 BC to the present, show the transforming power and effect of Christian values in every era.

Many distinctly Christian ideas are essentially accepted by everyone as to how we should live and what we ought to do; what is good and what is evil. All too often, people fail to give Christianity credit for these ethical standards and are surprised when people from other cultures fail to honor these “universal” values. For example, we should care for the poor, help the weak, assist the needy, grieve at the afflictions of the vulnerable, and strive to end oppression and exploitation. Religious freedom is a human right, and no one should be compelled to believe anything against their will. Sexual morality demands mutual obligations in marriage including consent, fidelity, and respect for women. Sacred writings should be available for everyone to read in their own language, which requires a commitment to universal education and literacy. We believe that history is progressing toward greater justice and peace. These “universal” values are no longer even debated in the Western world, and many have even been co-opted to weaken the influence of traditional, Christian morals in modern culture.

Holland indirectly explores Nietzsche’s idea that it is mistaken to reject Christianity and live without God, while still believing in universal human rights and in the equal dignity of every person. These Christian ethics did not develop in Eastern cultures, and the Ancient Greek and the Roman world found them unreasonable. Holland shows that the shame-and-honor cultures of pagan Europe (the Anglo-Saxons, the Franks, the Germans) thought that forgiving one’s enemies, honoring the poor, and respecting the weak could not be the basis for society. Similarly, modern science depends on the Christian view of the world as real (not an illusion as once held in the East) and orderly (created by a mind and designed to work on comprehensible, universal laws). Holland, who is not a Christian, argues that these ideas could only emerge from a worldview with a single, personal God who created all beings in His image, and with a Savior who came and died demonstrating sacrificial love for His creation.