Kerby Anderson

Is Christianity as bad as atheists say that it is? For decades we have heard the charges from the so-called New Atheists like Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens. But those ideas are starting to surface in other discussions. As one of my radio guests noted, non-Christians used to ask if Christianity is true, but now many ask whether Christianity is good.

Secular professors often will talk about Christianity in a negative way, focusing only on the Crusades, the Inquisition, or the Salem Witch Trials. But we never seem to hear about any of the positive contributions of Christianity. Fortunately, Jerry Newcombe has provided such lists in his books and commentaries.

For example, if you are educated, you should probably thank Christianity. “Education for the masses was a gift of Christianity to the world,” he explains. Education in America was established so that citizens could read the Bible for themselves and not be deluded. Nearly all the colleges in America’s early history were founded on Christian principles.

If you have ever been in a hospital, you should also thank Christianity. “St. Basil of Caesarea, who lived in the fourth century, is credited with creating the first hospital in the history of the world.” And let’s not forget the advances in science. As Norm Geisler and I explain in our book on Origin Science, most of the pioneers in the field of science had a Christian worldview, and others were theists who believed in God.

Most of the social movements in the 19^th and 20^th centuries sprung from Christian convictions. The abolition movement, child labor law movement, suffrage movement, and the civil rights movement are just a few examples.

Christianity shouldn’t be blamed for what is bad in the world. We should be grateful for the many blessings it provides each of us.