Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History

by John Dickson

Publisher:

Zondervan

, 2021

Is the world better off without Christianity?

Combining narrative with keen critique of contemporary debates, author and historian John Dickson gives an honest account of 2,000 years of Christian history that helps us understand what Christianity is and what it's meant to be.

To say that the Christian Church has an "image problem" doesn't quite capture it. From the Crusades and the Inquisition to the racism and abuse present in today's Church--both in Catholic and Protestant traditions--the institution that Christ established on earth has a lot to answer for. But the Church has also had moments throughout history when it has been in tune with Jesus' teachings--from the rise of charity to the invention of hospitals.

For defenders of the faith, it's important to be able to recognize the good and bad in the church's history and be inspired to live aligned with Christ. For skeptics, this book is a thought-provoking introduction to the idea that Christianity is, despite all, an essential foundation of our civilization.

Bullies and Saints will take you on a big-picture journey from the Sermon on the Mount to the modern church:

• Giving contextual accounts of infamous chapters of Christian history, such as the Crusades, and acknowledging their darkness.
• Outlining the great movements of the faith and defending its heroes and saints, some of whom are not commonly recognized.
• Examining the Church beside the teachings and life of Jesus and how it has succeeded in its mission to imitate Christ.

Key Features

• Invites to look again at the Christian church's performance
• Gives an honest account of the mixed history of Christianity, the evil and the good
• Shows the myriad ways the beautiful teaching of Christ has enriched our world and the lives of countless individuals

Contents

• The Day I Lost Faith in the Church: A Christian Massacre in the Year 1099
• The Crusades in a Nutshell: Holy Wars from the 1000s to the 1200s
• The Beautiful Tune: The Christian Ethic of the First Century
• Log in the Eye of the Church: Another Thing Jesus Said in the First Century
• Good Losers: Persecution of the Church from AD 64 to 312
• Constantine and Religious Liberty: The First Christian Emperor in the Early 300s
• Constantine and the Birth of Charity: Financial Changes to Roman Law in the Early 300s
• Julian the Apostate: An Emperor Winds Back the Clock on Christianity in the 360s
• Muscular Christianity: A Senator and Bishop in the Late 300s
• Cappadocian Christianity: Bishops, Healthcare, and Slavery in the Late 300s
• Iconoclastic Christianity: Christian Riots and the Closing of Pagan Temples from 380 to 415
• "Just War": A Theory of Christian War in the Early 400s
• The Death of Rome and Growth of the Church: Barbarians and Christians in Europe from 400 to 1100
• Christian "Jihad": Forced Conversions in Europe in the Late 700s
• The Greatest European You've Never Heard Of: A "Renaissance" in the Middle of the Dark Ages"
• Knights of Christ: The Prelude to "Holy War" in the Build Up to 1100
• Prophets and Hypocrites: Medieval Monasteries, Charities, and Reforms
• The Eternal Empire of the East: The Forgotten Byzantine,from the 500s to the 1400s
• Inventing the "Dark Ages": The Seeming Catastrophe of the 500s to 1200s
• The Inquisition: Heresy Trials from the 1100s to the 1500s
• The Reformation "Wars of Religion": More Bloody Battles in the 1600s
• The "Troubles": Confessional Conflict in the 1700s to 1998
• Moral Reckoning: Child Abuse in the Modern Church
• Social Capital: The Ordinary Work of the Contemporary Church
• The "Log in the Eye" of Us All: Hypocrisy in Every Century

Praise for Bullies and Saints

Bullies and Saints is a commendably honest work that goes beyond simple apologetics: one that is all the more subtle in its effect for being often very apologetic.

Tom Holland, author of Persian Fire and Dominion

This is that rare thing--a book that speaks equally to Christians and sceptics. Combining gripping historical narrative with a keen critique of contemporary debates, Dickson makes one of the most honest, challenging, and compelling cases for Christianity you will ever read.

Teresa Morgan, Professor of Graeco-Roman History, University of Oxford

This is an important book. My father was a deeply religious man and in public life. Around him were copious efforts to throw a Christian cloak over a multitude of political judgements driven by secular ambitions and directions--often deeply harmful. He used to say that the task for a Christian in public life, or anywhere, is to act in a manner that would not deny others an experience of the cross. This book by John Dickson has taught me exactly what he meant. It is a book of the ages for this age. The worst efforts by many have obscured or distorted the message, using it for power, greed, lust, prejudice, and ignorance. Their historical and contemporary efforts have destroyed the access to faith for many. But throughout the centuries, and now, others have shone a light on Jesus's message of love, charity, kindness, selflessness and salvation--values and behaviours which are timeless. Decency is open to everyone of whatever faith or none. However, the fundamental belief of Christians that we are all made in God's image is a deep grounding. Why this is so is here in these pages.

The Honourable Kim Beazley AC, Governor of Western Australia, Ambassador to the United States of America (2010–2016), former Leader of the Australian Labor Party

Product Details

• Title: Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History
• Author: John Dickson
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Print Publication Date: 2021
• Logos Release Date: 2020
• Pages: 352
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Church history; Good and evil; Good and evil History; History; Religion
• ISBNs: 9780310143383, 9780310118367, 9780310119371, 0310118379, 0310118360, 0310119375, 9780310118374, 0310143381
• Resource ID: LLS:9780310118374
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2024-11-20T18:46:17Z

About John Dickson

John Dickson is a senior research fellow of the department of ancient history at Macquarie University. He is also codirector of the Center for Public Christianity and senior minister at St. Andrew’s Roseville. Dickson is the author of more than a dozen books, including The Christ Files: How Historians Know What They Know about Jesus, Life of Jesus: Who He Is and Why He Matters, and, with Chuck Pierce, The Worship Warrior.