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The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity

The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity

How Modern Culture Is Robbing Billions of People of Happiness
by Matthew Kelly 2018 115 pages
3.68
2k+ ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Holiness is possible for everyone through Holy Moments

"A Holy Moment is a moment when you open yourself to God. You make yourself available to him."

Holy Moments defined. A Holy Moment occurs when you set aside self-interest and collaborate with God to do what you believe He is calling you to do in that moment. It's an instance of becoming the person God created you to be and doing what aligns with His will.

Accessibility and impact. Holy Moments are not reserved for saints or extraordinary individuals. They are accessible to everyone, regardless of their background, education, or status. By creating Holy Moments, people can:

  • Transform their own lives
  • Positively impact others
  • Contribute to changing the world

Examples of Holy Moments:

  • Offering a prayer of gratitude
  • Showing patience with someone who irritates you
  • Performing an act of kindness for a stranger
  • Choosing integrity over personal gain

2. The biggest lie in Christianity: believing holiness is unattainable

"The great majority of modern Christians don't actually believe holiness is possible."

The lie's impact. This false belief has paralyzed many Christians, preventing them from striving for holiness and living out their faith dynamically. It has led to:

  • Spiritual complacency
  • A weakened Christian witness in society
  • Diminished personal and collective impact

Overcoming the lie. Recognizing that holiness is possible through Holy Moments is the first step in debunking this lie. Christians need to:

  • Embrace the truth that God desires their holiness
  • Start small by creating one Holy Moment at a time
  • Build confidence through consistent practice

3. Creating Holy Moments transforms individuals and the world

"Every time you become a-better-version-of-yourself, the consequences of your transformation echo throughout your family, friends, business, school, neighborhood, church, marriage, nation, and beyond to people and places in the future."

Personal transformation. Holy Moments lead to personal growth and positive change. As individuals consistently create Holy Moments, they:

  • Develop stronger character and virtue
  • Experience increased joy and fulfillment
  • Become more aligned with God's will for their lives

Ripple effect. The impact of Holy Moments extends far beyond the individual, creating a positive ripple effect that touches:

  • Families and relationships
  • Communities and workplaces
  • Society at large

Examples of transformative Holy Moments:

  • A nurse organizing shifts to support a sick colleague
  • A businessman mowing his injured neighbor's lawn
  • A mother investing time in her daughter's dreams and aspirations

4. Christianity thrives when people strive for holiness

"Whenever and wherever you find men, women, and children striving to create Holy Moments, Christianity has always thrived."

Historical perspective. Throughout history, Christianity has flourished when believers actively pursued holiness. This pursuit:

  • Attracted others to the faith
  • Transformed cultures and societies
  • Led to significant positive changes in the world

Modern application. For Christianity to thrive today, believers must:

  • Recommit to creating Holy Moments in their daily lives
  • Differentiate themselves from the prevailing culture through virtuous living
  • Share their experiences and inspire others to pursue holiness

5. Spiritual Multiplication: the key to changing the world

"Invest in a small group of people, teaching them how to create Holy Moments and become disciples of Jesus, then empower each of them to go out and do the same for another small group of people."

The principle explained. Spiritual Multiplication is a strategy based on Jesus' method of discipleship. It involves:

  • Focusing on a small group of individuals
  • Teaching them to create Holy Moments and live as disciples
  • Empowering them to repeat the process with others

Exponential growth. This approach leads to rapid, exponential growth:

  • One person disciples 3 people
  • Those 3 each disciple 3 more (9 total)
  • The process continues, potentially reaching millions in just a few cycles

Practical implementation:

  • Start with 3 people you can influence
  • Teach them about Holy Moments and discipleship
  • Encourage and support them as they disciple others

6. Recognizing everyday miracles in ordinary life

"Life is for living, and the best living is done amid the ordinary things of each day."

Redefining miracles. Everyday miracles are the often-overlooked blessings and wonders in daily life. They include:

  • The air we breathe
  • The smile of a stranger
  • Moments of connection with loved ones

Cultivating awareness. To recognize these miracles:

  • Practice mindfulness in daily activities
  • Express gratitude for small blessings
  • Look for beauty in ordinary moments

Impact on faith. Recognizing everyday miracles:

  • Deepens appreciation for life
  • Strengthens faith and trust in God
  • Increases overall joy and contentment

7. Embracing transformation over superficial tweaking

"God is not in the business of tweaking. God is in the business of transformation."

The problem with tweaking. Many Christians settle for minor adjustments in their lives instead of embracing full transformation. This leads to:

  • Spiritual stagnation
  • Limited personal growth
  • Reduced impact on the world

Embracing transformation. True transformation involves:

  • Surrendering completely to God's will
  • Being open to radical changes in one's life
  • Committing to ongoing spiritual growth and development

Prayer for transformation:

  • Express willingness to be completely changed by God
  • Surrender all aspects of life to His will
  • Ask for guidance and strength in the transformation process

8. Living an intriguing life through Holy Moments

"Nothing is more intriguing than the love and goodness of God, and no person has ever walked the earth who was more intriguing than Jesus."

Defining an intriguing life. An intriguing life is one that arouses curiosity and interest in others. It's characterized by:

  • Selfless acts of love and kindness
  • Countercultural choices that reflect Christian values
  • A visible joy and peace that attracts others

Creating intrigue through Holy Moments. Holy Moments make a Christian's life intriguing by:

  • Demonstrating selflessness in a self-centered world
  • Showing genuine care and concern for others
  • Living out Christian values consistently

Examples of intriguing Holy Moments:

  • Forgiving someone who has wronged you
  • Sacrificing personal comfort to help those in need
  • Maintaining integrity in challenging situations

9. Overcoming the culture's false promises of happiness

"Getting what you want doesn't make you happy."

Cultural lies about happiness. Modern culture promotes false ideas about happiness, such as:

  • Happiness comes from acquiring material possessions
  • Success and achievement lead to lasting joy
  • Pleasure and happiness are the same thing

The truth about happiness. Authentic happiness comes from:

  • Living a life aligned with God's will
  • Creating Holy Moments and serving others
  • Developing virtues and character

Practical steps to true happiness:

  • Focus on becoming a better version of yourself
  • Prioritize relationships and service to others
  • Practice gratitude for life's blessings

10. Rediscovering Christianity's role in changing the world

"The world needs changing, and nobody is in a better position to do that than Christians."

Historical impact. Christianity has a rich history of transforming societies through:

  • Promoting human dignity and rights
  • Establishing educational institutions
  • Providing care for the sick and marginalized

Current opportunity. Today's cultural climate presents a unique opportunity for Christianity to:

  • Offer hope in a world of despair
  • Demonstrate genuine love and community
  • Address pressing social issues from a faith perspective

Steps to reclaim Christianity's influence:

  • Unite across denominational lines for common causes
  • Engage in meaningful social action guided by faith
  • Live out Christian values visibly and consistently in daily life

Last updated:

Review Summary

3.68 out of 5
Average of 2k+ ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

The Biggest Lie in the History of Christianity receives mixed reviews. Some praise its accessibility and inspirational message about achieving holiness through small acts of kindness. Others criticize it as repetitive, simplistic, and lacking theological depth. Critics argue Kelly's portrayal of Christianity under attack is exaggerated. Supporters appreciate his focus on practical ways to live out faith. The book's core concept of "Holy Moments" resonates with some readers, while others find it theologically unsound. Overall, reactions vary widely, with some finding it life-changing and others dismissing it as shallow self-help.

Your rating:

About the Author

Matthew Kelly is a prolific author, speaker, and entrepreneur known for his work in personal development and spirituality. Born in Australia, he began his career as a teenager and has since reached millions through his seminars and books. Kelly's signature concept is "the-best-version-of-yourself," which he applies to various aspects of life. His books have been international bestsellers, translated into over 30 languages. Kelly is also a business consultant and innovator. He lives with his wife and children, balancing his professional endeavors with personal interests like golf, art, and literature.

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