Subscription Lists

Point of Reference

    by Fred Price

The Social Benefits of Christianity
Date Posted: March 3, 2017

Christopher Hitchens claims that, “religion poisons everything.” He and others in the Neo-Atheist movement (Which is nothing more than a repackaging and restating of old criticisms and concerns – only louder and more radicalized), try to prove this point by comparing the Christian and Muslim history of militarism – at times including Israel’s complicated dealing with the Palestinians as well. Richard Dawkins insisting that Christianity, like Islam, was spread principally by the sword.

An honest look, however, reveals that the earliest Christian movement was politically and socially marginalized, from which it had its most explosive growth. That movement, originally called “the Way” (Acts 9:2; 19:9 & 23; 22:4;24:14 & 22), in honor of its founder’s characterization of himself (John 14:6), often appealed to and openly embraced not only members of the “lower classes” but even slaves; growing exponentially by deeds of love and mercy offered to all through the Gospel and good news of Jesus. A non-violent movement, it lacked the means or the mentality to wage a “holy war.”

Initially persecuted by over-zealous and misinformed members of the Jewish orthodoxy and then by heathen authorities, the church suffered tremendously for much of its early years. It was only when Constantine converted in the early 300’s and made Christianity a “recognized” and dominant religion that Christians, still being imperfect, took advantage and began paying back in kind what had been done to them – first! And over the years since, our fallen nature has at times risen again to overcome our truer calling to “follow Jesus”; participating in things Jesus would never lead us to do. But that does not mean we have spread the good news in the same way the “Pax Romana” – or Roman Peace – was spread; at the point of a sword. That’s just not a reasonable statement to make, especially when compared to the track record of Islam; which, from its inception to the present day has been continuously embroiled in “conquering” infidels within and without their faith – with it’s consequent denial of basic human rights of those under its influence and control. (Which is not to say there aren’t any decent, reasonable people who worship Allah, but it has to be admitted that a thread of violence has run almost continuously throughout Islam’s history; as opposed to the ideals of love and mercy of Christianity, however poorly lived up to by some of its adherents.)

You’d expect a Christian sociologist to contend that the, “…success of the West, including the rise of science, rested entirely on religious foundations, and the people who brought it about were devout Christians.”1 But Jurgen Habermas, one of Europe’s most prominent philosophers – and an atheist – agrees. Not believing in Christ as God’s Son or his Savior, he never-the-less gives credit where he believes credit is due; confirming that the ideals of personal freedom, social justice, individual morality, human rights and democracy are, “…the direct heir to the Judaic ethic of justice and the Christian ethic of love… (And) to this day, there is no alternative to it.” 2 (And let me add, if the Judeo/Christian view of the individual radically altered the concept of each individual’s worth, it likewise elevated the expectation of each person’s responsibility.)

I’ve used some of the more intellectually honest members of the opposition to bolster the argument of Max Stackhouse, who unapologetically insists that, “Intellectual honesty demands recognition of the fact that what passes as secular, Western principles of basic human rights developed nowhere else than out of the strands of the biblically-rooted religion.3 A frank statement, again bolstered by a surprising, unlikely source; the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. One of its scholars, contrary to his communist country’s atheistic stand on politics and social order, wrote these words concerning a recent study of American success,“One of the things we were asked to look into was what accounted for the success, in fact, the pre-eminence of the West all over the world,… we studied everything we could from the historical, political, economic and cultural perspective. At first, we thought it was because you had more powerful guns than we had. Then we thought it was because you had the best political system. Next we focused on your economic system. But in the past twenty years, we have realized that the heart of your culture is your religion: Christianity. That is why the West has been so powerful. The Christian moral foundation of social and cultural life was what made possible the emergence of capitalism and then the successful transition to democratic politics. We don’t have any doubt about this.” 4 Not an official policy statement of change for the government or everyone involved at CASS, but certainly an encouraging observation from an acknowledged, respected, premier academic research organization within a Communist, atheist community. (With a growing Christian movement within its borders.)

As irritating and outlandish as some New-Atheists and their statements can be, they can also serve as an effective challenge and/or benchmark for those of us who claim to be Christian but who occasionally fall short of the ideals that claim entails. How? “By reminding us to be more thoughtful in our faith, to live kingdom- centered lives with greater Christian passion and consistency, to deepen our commitment to justice and opposing oppression, to think through contemporary obstacles to belief, and to offer a more compelling vision in word and deed to a watching world… take(ing) a fresh look at Jesus and let(ting) our gaze at him shape our devotion to him, our love for others (even our enemies), and our concern for the culture and world in which we find ourselves.”5

The essence of Christian morality is characterized by Christ, who cited Old Testament admonitions with a twist, loving God first and foremost, which is “…the first and greatest commandment.” (Deuteronomy 6:5) With a second carrying similar significance, flowing out of our love of God; love of our fellowman – our neighbor – (Leviticus 19:18), with the added expectation of love for our enemies. (Matthew 5:44) Doing good to those who hate us, blessing those who curse us, praying for those who mistreat us. (Luke 6:27-31) Jesus claiming that, “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” In fact, he insisted, “There is no commandment greater than these.” Matthew 27:37-40 & Mark 12:28-31

1From Sociologist Rodney Stark’s book, The Victory of Reason, subtitled, How Christianity Led to Freedom, Capitalism and Western Success, published by Random House

2From Time of Transitions, Cambridge publishing

3Quote from an article appearing in Society Magazine titled, A Christian Perspective on Human Rights

4Reported on by Time Magazine’s Dennis Aikman, in his article, Jesus in Beijing: How Christianity is Transforming China and Changing the Global Balance of Power

5 From Paul Copan’s book, Is God a Moral Monster?, published by Baker Books

Was this article helpful?
Rate it:

"Refreshment in Refuge" from Gina Burgess

The Servant Leader

Read Article »
Biography Information:

Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.

Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker.  He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today.  Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.  

Got Something to Share?
LiveAsIf.org is always looking for new writers. Whether it is a daily devotional or a weekly article, if you desire to encourage others to know Him better, then signup to become a contributor.