Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History

Written by John Dickson

Narrated by John Dickson

Is the world better off without Christianity?

Combining narrative with keen critique of contemporary debates, author and historian John Dickson gives an honest account of 2,000 years of Christian history that helps us understand what Christianity is and what it's meant to be.

To say that the Christian Church has an "image problem" doesn't quite capture it. From the Crusades and the Inquisition to the racism and abuse present in today's Church--both in Catholic and Protestant traditions--the institution that Christ established on earth has a lot to answer for. But the Church has also had moments throughout history when it has been in tune with Jesus' teachings--from the rise of charity to the invention of hospitals.

For defenders of the faith, it's important to be able to recognize the good and bad in the church's history and be inspired to live aligned with Christ. For skeptics, this book is a thought-provoking introduction to the idea that Christianity is, despite all, an essential foundation of our civilization.

Bullies and Saints will take you on a big-picture journey from the Sermon on the Mount to the modern church:

• Giving contextual accounts of infamous chapters of Christian history, such as the Crusades, and acknowledging their darkness.
• Outlining the great movements of the faith and defending its heroes and saints, some of whom are not commonly recognized.
• Examining the Church beside the teachings and life of Jesus and how it has succeeded in its mission to imitate Christ.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Zondervan
• Release date: May 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9780310119364

John Dickson

John Dickson (PhD, Macquarie University) serves as the Jean Kvamme Distinguished Professor of Biblical Evangelism and Distinguished Scholar in Public Christianity at Wheaton College. A speaker, historian, and media presenter, John is the author of more than 20 books, two of which became television documentaries. He also cohosted the documentary For the Love of God: How the Church is Better and Worse Than you Ever Imagined. He is an Honorary Research Associate at the University of Sydney, a Visiting Academic in the Faculty of Classics at Oxford University (2016-2021), and Distinguished Fellow in Public Christianity at Ridley College Melbourne. John presents Australia’s no.1 religion podcast, Undeceptions, exploring aspects of life, faith, history, culture, or ethics that are either much misunderstood or mostly forgotten.

[ColorMe Chrome · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Exceptional work by historian John Dickson on the transparency of Christians throughout history, namely, their saints and their devils (what John prefers to call Bullies).

[Girts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was an excellent, balanced and informative outline of both the best and the worst of Christian history, and I really enjoyed listening to the pleasant and well-done audiobook recording of this book read by the author himself.

[Kristen Roberts · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

An honest history of Christianity.
It shows the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of Christianity. It honestly criticizes and honors what Christians have been doing for the past 2000 years. It’s not just besting Christians up, neither is is just giving excuses. Everyone should read this book.

[John · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A good but challenging listen. A realistic history of sates and religions.

[Edgar Sala · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

One of the best and more balanced books about the lights and shadows of church history. Excellent work.

[James · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very Insightful for lovers of Christian history. Would highly recommend.

[ayo · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Heard from the book in the podcast

"I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist"

[philipjhunt · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Did you know that the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy nor Roman? I do now, because I have read John Dickson’s terrific book. Indeed, in a few hundred pages I feel like he’s fleshed out two thousand years of history that was mostly opaque. A perfect book to get the broad sweep of church history written in an accessible chatty style. Well done, John.