Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History
By John Dickson (Zondervan)
Has Christianity done more harm than good? Many critics would say yes.
In Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History, speaker and historian John Dickson wrestles with that question. Dickson presents a well-organized, thorough and challenging history of the Christian church, all while answering the question: Is Christianity good for the world?
Bullies and Saints provides a nuanced and necessary apologetic for Christianity, one that takes seriously accountability and apologizes for the past and present wrongdoings of the church. Dickson does not shy away from the horrors of the Crusades or Inquisition, and he does not ignore modern missteps of which the church finds itself guilty.
At the same time, this book sheds light on the lasting good the Christian church has left on society in every era. Dickson ultimately asserts Jesus “wrote a beautiful composition” Christians have failed to perform well on a consistent basis. “Sometimes they were badly out of tune. But the problem with a hateful Christian is not their Christianity but their departure from it,” he writes (p 284).
Each chapter recounts a different aspect of Christian history, examines how it relates to the teachings of Christ, and relates it to contemporary church debates. Any readers who question the value of Christianity—or want to engage with those who do—should move Bullies and Saints to the top of their reading list.
Avery Ochs, student
Dallas Theological Seminary
We seek to connect God’s story and God’s people around the world. To learn more about God’s story, click here.
Send comments and feedback to Eric Black, our editor. For comments to be published, please specify “letter to the editor.” Maximum length for publication is 300 words.