Christianity’s Greatest Critics – Part 1

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Today I’m beginning a series of blog posts entitled “Christianity’s Greatest Critics.”

1 Peter 3:15 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

For centuries the greatest critics of Christianity always came from the academic world. At that time Christianity was viewed as primarily an intellectual assent to a list of beliefs rather than a person to be followed and a life to be lived. Naturally then those skilled in Cartesian linear logic (man, haven’t used that word since grad school) were the ones best skilled at showing Christianity’s flaws.

In previous generations Christians feared people like Bertrand Russell and his intellectual attack on Christianity in his book “Why I’m Not A Christian.” He was an intellectual to be feared by the flock. In response the church produced their own intellectuals who would share “reasons to believe.”

We now live in a post Christian world; a world in which Christians and “outsiders” are both swayed less by logic and more by emotion, popular opinion and self-depreciating humor.

Popular authors like Richard Dawkins and his book The God Delusion, while selling many copies, are spitting in the wind. They make a lot of noise but nobody’s listening. Their intellectual arguments never gain traction and influence public opinion like in previous generations.

The world has changed and so have those who are pointing out the flaws of everyday Christians.

Who’s leveling the greatest critique of the church these days?

I’m glad you asked.

Read other posts in this series:
Christianity’s Greatest Critics – Part 1
South Park – Part 2
Stand-Up Comedians – Part 3
Late Night Talk Show Hosts – Part 4
Social Change Agents – Part 5