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

This is that rare thinga book that speaks equally to Christians and sceptics. Combining gripping historical narrative with a keen critique of contemporary debates, Dickson makes one of the most honest, challenging, and compelling cases for Christianity you will ever read.

T ERESA M ORGAN , P ROFESSOR OF G RAECO -R OMAN H ISTORY , U NIVERSITY OF O XFORD

Bullies and Saints is a commendably honest work that goes beyond simple apologetics: one that is all the more subtle in its effect for being often very apologetic.

T OM H OLLAND, AUTHOR OF P ERSIAN F IRE AND D OMINION

This is an important book. My father was a deeply religious man and in public life. Around him were copious efforts to throw a Christian cloak over a multitude of political judgements driven by secular ambitions and directionsoften deeply harmful. He used to say that the task for a Christian in public life, or anywhere, is to act in a manner that would not deny others an experience of the cross. This book by John Dickson has taught me exactly what he meant. It is a book of the ages for this age. The worst efforts by many have obscured or distorted the message, using it for power, greed, lust, prejudice, and ignorance. Their historical and contemporary efforts have destroyed the access to faith for many. But throughout the centuries, and now, others have shone a light on Jesuss message of love, charity, kindness, selflessness and salvationvalues and behaviours which are timeless. Decency is open to everyone of whatever faith or none. However, the fundamental belief of Christians that we are all made in Gods image is a deep grounding. Why this is so is here in these pages.

T HE H ONOURABLE K IM B EAZLEY AC, G OVERNOR OF W ESTERN A USTRALIA , A MBASSADOR TO THE U NITED S TATES OF A MERICA (20102016), FORMER L EADER OF THE A USTRALIAN L ABOR P ARTY

I dont often hear people question these days whether or not Christianity is true. I hear them ask whether or not its good. And thats the challenge John Dickson accepts in Bullies and Saints. His honest look does not dismiss the horrible evil committed in the name of Christ, then and now. And thats why you can trust this book. When we can be honest about the past, we can be discerning about the present. Whether or not you believe in Jesus, this book will test what you thought you knew and open your eyes to what might be possible.

C OLLIN H ANSEN, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR OF T HE G OSPEL C OALITION, HOST OF THE G OSPELBOUND PODCAST, AND COAUTHOR OF G OSPELBOUND : L IVING WITH R ESOLUTE H OPE IN AN A NXIOUS A GE

Bullies and Saints is no simple apologia for the Christian church, or for Christianity as such. John Dickson offers a thoroughly frank account of Christian history, confronting some of the ugliest episodes in that story. But at the same time, he highlights and disproves the countless distortions and falsehoods that sceptics have so often levied against the faith. Such an honest accounting reinforces the view that Christianity is an essential foundation of our civilization. Dickson has written a very necessary book, which at the same time makes for enlightening and rewarding reading.

P HILIP J ENKINS , D ISTINGUISHED P ROFESSOR OF H ISTORY , B AYLOR U NIVERSITY

This is a measured and masterful retelling of two thousand years of Christian history. Whatever your current beliefs, I recommend you grab a copy and let Dickson introduce you to the saints and bullies who have shaped our world. I learned from every page and now have a better understanding of infamous affairs like the Crusades and the Inquisition, as well as more knowledge of a thousand unsung heroes of the faith. Read it and weep, smile, question, cogitate, and sing.

R EBECCA M C L AUGHLIN, AUTHOR OF C ONFRONTING C HRISTIANITY

John Dickson is a scrupulous historian, a fair-minded judge, and a wonderful storyteller. Bullies and Saints is an invaluable, thoughtful, and at times rightly provoking consideration of the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, in the long Christian story. In prose that is supple and easy, it captures the inevitable complexity and cross-grained contexts of all human endeavours, even divine human endeavours. And it understands profoundly that professing Christianity does not cure you of the human condition, with all its perplexing possibilities, all its heroism and terror, its majesty and its degradation. And yet there is a light that shines.

G REG S HERIDAN , F OREIGN E DITOR OF T HE A USTRALIAN AND AUTHOR OF G OD I S G OOD FOR Y OU

The problem of suffering and evil is one of the hardest problems that faces any worldview. Yet Christians face an even harder problemto account for the horrors inflicted in the name of Jesus Christ, who taught the highest ethic ever seen and repudiated the use of violence to defend him and his message. When we think of the so-called Crusades and Holy Wars in the Middle Ages, must we agree with the late Christopher Hitchens that religion poisons everything, or are there any redeeming features? Are there any saints among the bullies? Ancient historian John Dickson is eminently qualified to help us dig into the facts. He convincingly demonstrates that sacred violence is not traceable to the first three centuries of the Christian era. With refreshing honesty, he opens our eyes to the fascinating divergent developments in succeeding centuries that led, on the one hand, to bullies, brutality and oppression and, on the other hand, to saints, charity, hospitals, and human rights. Bullies are commonsaints are not. If you wish to know the how and the why, as you should, then there is nothing for it but to buy and read Dicksons book and judge for yourself. It is superbly well-informed historical analysis at its best. I unhesitatingly recommend it as essential reading for anyone wishing to engage with the hard questions arising from the evils of Christendom. Get it and share it!

J OHN C. L ENNOX , E MERITUS P ROFESSOR OF M ATHEMATICS , E MERITUS F ELLOW IN M ATHEMATICS AND P HILOSOPHY OF S CIENCE , U NIVERSITY OF O XFORD

This lively account of the history of the church brings bullies and saints across two thousand years to life. It challenges equally the glib assertions of those who would whitewash the evil in Christian history and those who would expunge its good. Erudite and immensely readable, it is a must for both the defenders and detractors of the faith.

M ICHAEL S PENCE , P RESIDENT AND P ROVOST , U NIVERSITY C OLLEGE L ONDON

This challenging work from a well-qualified historian tackles one of the current issues facing the Christian church. Critics say Christianity (and often all religions) have done more harm than good. Dr. Dickson is not afraid to face this and to acknowledge in a confronting fashion the failings of the church over the centuries to live up to Christs teaching. Nevertheless, his measured approach, argued (as a historian must) from the fine details of the documents of history, ends on a message of hope. This is a book for believers, doubters, sceptics, and downright enemies of the church to weigh up.

A LANNA N OBBS , P ROFESSOR E MERITA , D EPARTMENT OF A NCIENT H ISTORY , M ACQUARIE U NIVERSITY

I dont know another book like thisan honest guide through the labyrinth of two thousand years of both violence and virtue in the name of Christianity. Dickson, a qualified historian, explains the complexities of the past with disturbing even-handedness. The dirty washing of Christian history is laid out here for all to see, but were also invited to consider beautiful actions, often by those unknown. I highly recommend this book, not just for its factual content and fair analysis, but also as a window for understanding the world today.