Confronting Christianity

1. Christianity is the world's largest and most diverse religion, defying secularization predictions

Today, we must wake up to the fact that Lennon's dream was a fantasy. What is worse, it was a fantasy fueled by white Western bias and grounded on the assumption that the world would follow where Western Europe led.

Global growth of Christianity. Contrary to predictions of religion's decline, Christianity is projected to remain the largest global belief system, increasing from 31% to 32% of the world's population by 2060. Islam is expected to grow substantially, while the proportion of non-religious people is set to decline from 16% to 13%.

Diverse and expanding. Christianity is experiencing rapid growth in unexpected places:

• China could have more Christians than the US by 2030
• The Iranian church is the fastest-growing Christian movement in the world
• Over 60% of sub-Saharan Africa identifies as Christian
• South Korea, despite its small Christian population, is the second-largest missionary-sending country

Defying Western-centric views. The assumption that Christianity is primarily a Western religion ignores its global diversity and historical roots in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. This misconception stems from a biased view that fails to recognize Christianity's multicultural nature from its inception.

2. Religious participation correlates with better health, happiness, and moral outcomes

If one could conceive of a single elixir to improve the physical and mental health of millions of Americans—at no personal cost—what value would our society place on it?

Health and happiness benefits. Regular religious participation, particularly church attendance, is associated with:

• 20-30% reduction in mortality rates over a 15-year period
• Greater optimism and purpose in life
• Lower rates of depression and suicide
• Increased self-control and marital stability

Moral outcomes. Religious participation correlates with various positive moral behaviors:

• Lower rates of domestic violence and other crimes
• Increased charitable giving and volunteering
• Higher blood donation rates among religious individuals

Causal factors. While community support accounts for some of these benefits, it explains less than 30% of the positive effect. Other factors may include:

• Biblical principles that promote well-being (e.g., gratitude, forgiveness, self-control)
• A sense of meaning and purpose derived from religious beliefs
• Ethical frameworks that encourage prosocial behavior

3. The claim that Christianity is a Western religion ignores its global and historical diversity

We must abandon this absurd idea that Christianity is a Western religion.

Ancient roots beyond the West. Christianity has deep historical connections to non-Western regions:

• Ethiopia became the second officially Christian state in the 4th century
• Christianity took root in Egypt in the 1st century and spread across Africa
• India claims a Christian lineage dating back to the 1st century
• Iraq is home to one of the oldest continuous Christian communities in the world

Global demographic shift. Today's Christian population is predominantly non-Western:

• The majority of Christians live in the Global South
• African, Asian, and Latin American Christians outnumber Western Christians
• Immigrant Christians are revitalizing churches in Western countries

Cultural adaptation. Christianity has shown remarkable ability to adapt to diverse cultures:

• Missionaries like Hudson Taylor in China embraced local customs
• Many non-Western Christians integrate their cultural heritage with Christian faith
• The Bible itself presents a multicultural vision of Christianity from its inception

4. Christianity's exclusive truth claims stem from Jesus's unique teachings and actions

Jesus claims rule over all of heaven and earth. He presents himself not as one possible path to God, but as God himself. We may choose to disbelieve him. But he cannot be one truth among many. He has not left us that option.

Jesus's self-proclamations. Jesus made several extraordinary claims about his identity and authority:

• He declared himself "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6)
• He claimed the divine right to forgive sins
• He asserted authority over life and death

Actions backing claims. The Gospels record Jesus performing acts that only God could do:

• Commanding nature (e.g., calming storms)
• Healing incurable diseases
• Raising the dead

Logical implications. These claims and actions leave us with limited options:

• Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or truly divine
• His teachings cannot be reconciled with a view that all religions are equally true
• The resurrection, if true, validates Jesus's claims about his identity and authority

5. Human rights and morality have deep roots in Christian theology and ethics

Core, humanistic values of inviolable human dignity, inalienable human rights, and intrinsic human equality cannot be upheld by a scientific naturalism that will ultimately always crumble into nihilism.

Historical influence. Christianity played a crucial role in shaping modern concepts of human rights:

• The idea of universal human dignity stems from the belief that all humans are created in God's image
• Early Christian teachings elevated the status of women, children, and slaves
• Christian thinkers were instrumental in formulating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Philosophical foundation. Christian theology provides a robust basis for human equality:

• The doctrine of imago dei (humans made in God's image) grounds universal human worth
• Jesus's teachings and example promote radical love and respect for all people
• The concept of humans as moral agents with free will supports notions of human rights and dignity

Secular challenges. Attempts to ground universal human rights solely in secular philosophy face difficulties:

• Evolutionary biology alone doesn't provide a basis for human equality
• Utilitarian approaches can justify sacrificing individual rights for perceived greater goods
• Materialist worldviews struggle to account for human consciousness and moral agency

6. Science and Christianity are not inherently at odds; many scientists embrace both

I am an assembly of electrons and quarks interacting though quantum chromodynamics and the electroweak forces; I am a heterogeneous mixture of chemical elements. . . . I am a system of biochemical processes guided by genetic codes; but I am also a vast and astoundingly complex organism of cooperating cells; I am a mammal, with hair and warm blood; I am a person, husband, lover, father; and I am a sinner saved by grace.

Historical compatibility. Christianity has a long history of supporting scientific inquiry:

• Many early scientists were motivated by their Christian faith to study God's creation
• The university system, which became a cornerstone of scientific research, was founded by Christians

Modern scientists of faith. Numerous contemporary scientists find no conflict between their faith and scientific work:

• Francis Collins, leader of the Human Genome Project, is a committed Christian
• John Polkinghorne, theoretical physicist, became an Anglican priest
• Jennifer Wiseman, senior astrophysicist at NASA, integrates her faith and science

Complementary approaches. Science and Christianity can be seen as addressing different aspects of reality:

• Science explores the "how" of the physical world
• Christianity addresses questions of meaning, purpose, and ethics
• Both can contribute to a fuller understanding of human existence and the universe

7. Religious violence is complex; atheism does not guarantee peace

While religion has certainly motivated people to harm others in self-sacrificing ways, there are three problems with the claim that religion hinders morality.

Oversimplification. The claim that religion causes violence ignores several factors:

• Non-religious ideologies (e.g., Communism, Nationalism) have also led to large-scale violence
• Many religious teachings promote peace and condemn violence
• Socio-economic and political factors often play a significant role in conflicts labeled as "religious"

Atheism's record. Atheistic regimes have also been responsible for significant violence:

• The Soviet Union, China under Mao, and Cambodia under Pol Pot committed atrocities in the name of atheistic ideologies
• The 20th century saw unprecedented levels of violence, much of it perpetrated by officially atheistic states

Complex motivations. Violence often stems from a mix of religious, cultural, and political factors:

• Religious texts can be interpreted to justify both peace and violence
• Individual and group identities, not just beliefs, play a role in conflict
• Economic inequalities and power struggles often underlie ostensibly religious conflicts

8. Christianity offers a coherent worldview that grounds human dignity and morality

Christianity, it turned out, looked nothing like the caricature I once held. . . . God wants broken people, not self-righteous ones. And salvation is not about us earning our way to some place in the clouds through good works. On the contrary; there is nothing we can do to reconcile ourselves to God.

Coherent framework. Christianity provides a comprehensive worldview that addresses fundamental questions:

• Origin: Humans are created in God's image, giving them inherent worth
• Meaning: Life has purpose as part of God's larger plan
• Morality: Objective moral standards are grounded in God's nature
• Destiny: Human history is moving towards a ultimate resolution

Bridging science and ethics. Christianity offers a way to reconcile scientific understanding with ethical beliefs:

• Humans are both physical beings (subject to scientific study) and spiritual beings (with moral worth)
• The universe is seen as rationally ordered, encouraging scientific exploration
• Human consciousness and free will are affirmed, supporting moral responsibility

Grace-based ethic. Christianity's ethical system is built on grace, not self-righteousness:

• All humans are seen as morally flawed, promoting humility
• Forgiveness and redemption are central, offering hope for moral transformation
• Love for others, including enemies, is a core ethical principle

Last updated: September 7, 2024