I read "Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies" and it was packed full of facts, details and assessments that inform on the matter of faith and culture like no other book I have ever read. The author, David Bentley Hart, is clearly a scholar and spends considerable time describing events in history as described by those who were present. He also addresses the attacks and accusations frequently cited by fervent atheists to clarify the facts that often times do not support the assertions. The Christian Church that birthed western culture is examined using facts that describe the actual history (unlike the standard myths that disparage the church). The brightest light in this book shines on the early church (100-1000 AD) with repeated clarifications and references to ancient and primary sources but his clear command of historical knowledge is evident in other periods as well.
The author is not Catholic but that makes his arguments and clarifications even more compelling. His fluency in ancient literature and events is precisely what is needed to dispel the numerous myths and false ideas that are often cited concerning Christianity. One myth is that christianity has long been at war and is still at war with science (even though Christianity birthed and nurtured science as An academic discipline) There is the idea that there was a period called the "Dark Ages" (for the transitional period from Roman Empire to Christian Europe) which was less civilized than the Roman Empire that preceded it. There is also the astounding idea that Christianity suppressed the rights of woman and slaves (when in fact they were systematically freed). The facts are supporting his assertions are overwhelming. There is no way for me to provide a complete review so I focus only on those parts that seemed most well done.
Aristotle had a lock on science for more than a millenia that was broken by Christian free thinkers like Galileo. Ptomley was focused on astrology and never saw the implications of his careful measurements (that gave him the power to predict planetary and astronomical events). Copernicus was not an isolated genius in the desert of western culture but rather someone and influenced by those who trained, tutored and challenged him to understand the heavens and the natural order. Technology (in practical applications) rapidly advanced at a rate unparalleled in the previous Hellenistic and Roman era's. The author speculates that the slow dismantling of slavery may have nurtured innovations that made human labor more productive during these "Dark Ages" which were anything but "dark".
A considerable amount of time is spent on the Galileo affair. This event, often cited by those who wish to describe the typical and systematic posture of church and science at war. Details (facts) are provided so that the reader can have a better understanding what actually transpired and how this event was a rare event of the church overstepping self imposed bounds. The church asked that Galileo prove his assertion of the earth and planet orbiting the sun (virtually all of them agreed with the Copernican model that eased the ability to predict the placement of planets and stars in the sky). This assertion (of a spinning earth speeding in an orbit obout the sun was later found to be correct) could not be proved to the satisfaction of those who reviewed the evidence. Galileo had no explanation for the lack of retrograde motion of the stars when compared to the planets for example. The Earth did appear to be stationary to those who were on the earth. So while his assertion made planetry motion easier to predict it was not clear that this meant that the earth (and planets) were truly orbiting the sun.
The real story of this event was how personal relationships can be strained, friends can be alienated and those of great talent can neglect the need to relate in productive ways with those around them. Galileo was a physicist who interpreted data with great insight but he was by some accounts arrogant (almost condescending) and vindictive. His his inability to maintain positive relations with those who provided him great comfort and privilege contributed to the house arrest and forced retirement in a well cared for villa. The church was struggling with charges that it was compromising scripture, facing schisms and confronting heresies. These factors (lack of transparent reasoning, personality and political pressure) all culminated in an event that the church has long regretted and asked forgiveness for.
The anlysis of culture was well done. While he has plenty to be disappointed about in the now post christian west (that still benefits from the christian culture that fermented it) he does not end the book in despair. He points to the past Christian response to similar challenges of the faithful in moving to the desert at the edges of society to reflect, and pray and change. He looks for the Christian culture to rise up and empower the faithful in Africa, Asia and South America even as it retreats with a shrinking population focused on materialism in Europe and the United States.
This is one book I will reference in the future again and again. Packed with facts and presented by a master.
The author is not Catholic but that makes his arguments and clarifications even more compelling. His fluency in ancient literature and events is precisely what is needed to dispel the numerous myths and false ideas that are often cited concerning Christianity. One myth is that christianity has long been at war and is still at war with science (even though Christianity birthed and nurtured science as An academic discipline) There is the idea that there was a period called the "Dark Ages" (for the transitional period from Roman Empire to Christian Europe) which was less civilized than the Roman Empire that preceded it. There is also the astounding idea that Christianity suppressed the rights of woman and slaves (when in fact they were systematically freed). The facts are supporting his assertions are overwhelming. There is no way for me to provide a complete review so I focus only on those parts that seemed most well done.
Aristotle had a lock on science for more than a millenia that was broken by Christian free thinkers like Galileo. Ptomley was focused on astrology and never saw the implications of his careful measurements (that gave him the power to predict planetary and astronomical events). Copernicus was not an isolated genius in the desert of western culture but rather someone and influenced by those who trained, tutored and challenged him to understand the heavens and the natural order. Technology (in practical applications) rapidly advanced at a rate unparalleled in the previous Hellenistic and Roman era's. The author speculates that the slow dismantling of slavery may have nurtured innovations that made human labor more productive during these "Dark Ages" which were anything but "dark".
A considerable amount of time is spent on the Galileo affair. This event, often cited by those who wish to describe the typical and systematic posture of church and science at war. Details (facts) are provided so that the reader can have a better understanding what actually transpired and how this event was a rare event of the church overstepping self imposed bounds. The church asked that Galileo prove his assertion of the earth and planet orbiting the sun (virtually all of them agreed with the Copernican model that eased the ability to predict the placement of planets and stars in the sky). This assertion (of a spinning earth speeding in an orbit obout the sun was later found to be correct) could not be proved to the satisfaction of those who reviewed the evidence. Galileo had no explanation for the lack of retrograde motion of the stars when compared to the planets for example. The Earth did appear to be stationary to those who were on the earth. So while his assertion made planetry motion easier to predict it was not clear that this meant that the earth (and planets) were truly orbiting the sun.
The real story of this event was how personal relationships can be strained, friends can be alienated and those of great talent can neglect the need to relate in productive ways with those around them. Galileo was a physicist who interpreted data with great insight but he was by some accounts arrogant (almost condescending) and vindictive. His his inability to maintain positive relations with those who provided him great comfort and privilege contributed to the house arrest and forced retirement in a well cared for villa. The church was struggling with charges that it was compromising scripture, facing schisms and confronting heresies. These factors (lack of transparent reasoning, personality and political pressure) all culminated in an event that the church has long regretted and asked forgiveness for.
The anlysis of culture was well done. While he has plenty to be disappointed about in the now post christian west (that still benefits from the christian culture that fermented it) he does not end the book in despair. He points to the past Christian response to similar challenges of the faithful in moving to the desert at the edges of society to reflect, and pray and change. He looks for the Christian culture to rise up and empower the faithful in Africa, Asia and South America even as it retreats with a shrinking population focused on materialism in Europe and the United States.
This is one book I will reference in the future again and again. Packed with facts and presented by a master.
