If the Gospel Is True, Why Is There So Much Evil in Church History?

A key criticism of Christianity today concerns the problematic history of the Church, whether the ‘Christian jihad’ of Charlemagne or the recent child sexual abuse scandals and cover-ups. Avoiding both the whitewashing of history and giving in to the mantra that ‘religion does more harm than good’, Professor John Dickson will present a Master Class that addresses this vital question for public Christianity today. 

1. Conceding the Problem

A 2021 study found that only 30% of people saw ministers of religion as highly ethical and honest. Religion has an image problem, and the historical evidence concurs. What are we to do?

2. Catholics or Evangelicals?

Who is the guilty party? Both. In this section, we will unpack the theological and historical failings of both the Catholic and Evangelical churches.

3. The True Dividing Line of the Human Heart

Is this problem unique to Christianity? If not, what is the cause of these evils? We must first understand the true dividing line that cuts through every human heart.

4. Exaggerating Christian History

What is the tone of our historical retelling? In this section, we will discuss the importance of avoiding exaggeration and understanding context when interpreting history. 

5. Christianity’s Unique Contribution: Love

Have we let our negativity bias get in the way of seeing the good done in Christ’s name? How has Christianity impacted the world for the better, and how can we as Christians live out the message of our faith?"