Is Christianity Good for the World?

by Sharon James

Exploring the Impact of Christianity throughout History   In our increasingly secular world, many claim that Christianity is oppressive and toxic. Christians are accused of standing on the wrong side of history, failing to accept human dignity, freedom, and progress.  Are these accusations valid? Is Christianity actually causing more harm than good in the world?    In this concise booklet, author Sharon James shows that through history and across the globe, true followers of Christ have challenged injustice and abuse, and provided care for the needy. This has had a beneficial and widespread impact on all areas of human life. Without the moral ideals given to us by God, humans would lack the ability and desire to pursue justice, freedom, and compassion altogether. When Christians follow the biblical worldview with integrity and align their actions with their self-giving God, that results in sacrificial service to others. 

Genres: Theology, Evangelism, Audiobook, Nonfiction, Christian

80 pages, Paperback

Published October 3, 2023

About the author

Sharon James studied history at Cambridge University, theology at Toronto Baptist Seminary, and has a doctorate from the University of Wales. She is married to Bill, who is Principal of London Seminary. They have two grown up children and six grandchildren. Sharon works as Social Policy Analyst for The Christian Institute, UK, and has travelled to many countries as a Conference speaker.

Her webpage includes articles, interviews and talks and information about her latest books.

https://www.sharonjames.org/

Reviews

[Tara DuBose-Schmitt]

Spoiler: it is.

[Evelyn DS · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good and concise history of how Christianity has built up humanity as a whole because of a Biblical worldview. She draws connections to a lot of flourishing seen globally to the work of Christians, such as healthcare and educational institutions. I wish she had mentioned some of the ways “Christians” have used Christ’s name to commit horrible acts, and offered more of an explanation, as I’m sure that would be a rebuttal to the title question.

[Trevor Wheeker · Rating 3 out of 5]

There was nothing necessarily wrong with the book, however I thought James’ book “How Christianity transformed the world” was a better treatment of the same question in a much more thorough format. I did however appreciate the sections on human flourishing and Gods design and the extensive notes section is helpful for further research into this question.

[Margaret Neal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Is Christianity Good for the World is one of a series of quippy little books by TGC. On the surface, books like these could be helpful. Serving as pamphlets with helpful answers to commonly asked questions.

But (you knew it was coming) here is my problem with TGC and other resources putting together books like this.

Instead of aiding in discipleship, these books often become a supposed “case closed” answer to “tough questions.” Instead of building relationships, many “discipleship” programs seek to move people through their ideology as quickly as possible. Discipleship doesn’t become the long and often tiring process of life-together relationships, but a two-week equipping class, or a six-week program that wheels people through your church’s interpretation of “biblical truth.” A means to move people down the assembly line of church life into “bearing fruit” (I.e. volunteering in a church program and, of course, tithing).

Lots of “evidence” is used in these pamphlet size books to present a compelling case to answer the question “Is Christianity Good for the World” or “Does God care about Gender Identity,” or “Why do we feel Lonely at Church,” tie up the answer in a neat little bow, and move the reader down the assembly line.

But where’s the room for nuance? What’s the other side of the anecdotal piece of “evidence”? I believe it’s true (praise God) that “Christians have led the way in philanthropy, healthcare, education, and efforts to relieve poverty” (p16), but it’s also true that Christians have been at the forefront of religious wars, systematic enslavement of minority groups, sexual abuse cover-ups, wide-scale financial fraud, large-scale organizational nepotism, and weaponizing God’s word to fit a political or financial agenda at the expense of the least of these. My problem with this book isn’t that it’s wrong, per se, but that it treats the reader asking the question “at what cost” as stupid.
“If Christianity has done all this good, why the focus on the bad?”

When I’ve been hurt by an institution, I don’t need gaslit into seeing silver linings.

The introduction of the book was a young woman grappling with a pastor she respected being found guilty of abuse, and while that can be jarring, wouldn’t it be more compelling to talk to a person at the hands of actual abuse (they are not hard to find)? They know well the good that Christians have done — they were probably a part of the good. But isn’t it fair of them to ask about the cost? TGC doesn’t seem interested in addressing that question. TGC peddles cheap forgiveness of abusers while silencing strugglers who need more than six weeks to ask questions, let alone to heal.

I honestly didn’t go into reading this pamphlet to criticize it. I know several TGC contributors who provide good, helpful material, and I thought this book might at least provide a starting point for larger conversation. I was honestly hoping for more Biblical truth about God’s plan for the church than a list of quippy, anecdotal evidence. And maybe that’s on me. After all, maybe folks do need to see that there are some slivers of good that the church has been a part of. But again, at what cost? I never expected a pamphlet to literally answer every question or address every abuse case. It couldn’t. But I hoped that the information would be presented with more compassion for a reader who is probably seriously struggling. I shouldn’t have been surprised that it’s yet another example of TGC trying to provide a quick-fix to a “problem” instead of compassionate discipleship or genuine wrestling.

I obviously could go on and on, but then my review would be longer than the book I’m reviewing.

So, Is Christianity Good for the World? Based purely on this book, I’m not really sure. But I know that God is good. I know that He’s coming back. And I pray that when he does I’ll be found among the faithful that this book highlights (those who feed the poor, shelter the orphan, care for the sick, etc) and not the oppressors (in the church) it seems to ignore. And I pray that if you (dear reader) are a victim of that oppression, you experience the compassion of a loving Father and not a church system that sees you as a problem to be solved. Maranatha.

[Derrick Kenyon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent for such a small book.

[C.J. Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this little book to be quite helpful. It’s a shorter version, it seems, of James’ book, “How Christianity Transformed the World.” It’s part history of ideas, part public theology, and part cultural apologetics. It’s a helpful primer on the concept of human flourishing and why the biblical worldview enables it more than anything else ever will.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a really good read. I appreciate all her resources and points. I think my only critique is that it wasn't a few pages longer. I think there are some claims that she makes and (although I agree with her) never backs them up. Really enjoyed reading it though and is very helpful for believers and nonbelievers for thinking critiqually about how Christianity has helped shape our society

[Samuel Kassing · Rating 4 out of 5]

A basic apologetic that Christianity has brought many cultural goods to the world and these good deeds are evidence of the truthfulness of the gospel.

[Salvador Blanco · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear. Compelling. Concise. Great to hand out to non-Christians who want to consider Jesus and Christianity (pray for a friend I gave this to today). Great for Christians who want a short resource that gives them good answers to share with the curious.

[Hudson Rowland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Concise treatise that would more accurately be titled, “Has Christianity been good for the world?” It briefly went through areas where Christianity has helped push society forward as a whole over the last 2000 years - women’s rights, healthcare, emancipation, etc. Overall, really solid.

While I know this book isn’t meant to give a directive for the church, there are a couple topics I would like her to have addressed that I think are often absent from this conversation
- how do we reconcile the church’s surprisingly liberal history with the current political affiliations of the evangelical church today? It feels that since about the Nixon administration the rhetoric toward society in the church has been mainly preventative (no abortion, war on drugs, etc.) and misses the progress oriented actions that are bragged about in this book (supporting mental health, supporting teen mothers / helping teen mothers, driving care for the planet, etc.). Put differently, it feels like many of the topics cited in the book would be subversive in today’s cultural church setting.
- environmentalism seems almost insultingly brief, even for a short book, with the only mention being two sentences about Christians supporting animal rights in the 1800s.
- seems tone deaf not to mention the abuses of power by church leaders that have been uncovered in the last 30ish years. I’m guessing that the author might say she’s representing the evangelical / Protestant church and not the Catholic Church, but if I were someone truly trying to answer the question, “Is Christianity good for the world,” that would be one of the first topics I’d want addressed.

[Renee Masterson Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

This booklet is helpful for cultural apologetics. Might even be a book I would feel compelled to give a skeptic or one wrestling with whether a biblical worldview is sufficient/even beneficial. I know it was short, and that is a strength especially for giving to a friend, but I still felt like something was missing here—I think it was the meat of the gospel. Like yes, biblical worldview and biblical ethics are beneficial, but they don’t save. It’s admirable that so many have served and given their lives, but give me the meat of why—because Christ.

I know a lot of moral Americans who agree with biblical ethics from a moral stance but reject Christ as Lord. So I think the gospel could have been held higher and just talked about more. Make it 10 pages longer and give me more Jesus.

I do think the author does a good job of presenting the “world” aspect of the title. And anyone who is discontent with a biblical worldview (IN AMERICA) may want to take a look just how much good it has provided for people (specifically WOMEN) around the world.

*Bottom line—Biblical worldview is essential for human flourishing and there’s stats to back it up.

*Huge plus for me—the booklet is 39 pages and it has 95 source references. well done.

[Natalie Knopp · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this for free at cross con and this short read has a lot of good info packed into it. James goes into the influence of Christianity across human history and how there is a positive impact across all areas of human life through the lives of faithful believers. This is because the God they serve is love himself and created each human in his image. This would be a great short read to pass along to people who question the influence of Christianity. True believers reflect the God who made them and loves them more than any human ever will.

[Sarah Odom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and concise book about the history of Christian’s. Looking mostly at freedom, flourishing, and fulfillment. This book talks about how we are to be God’s hands and feet. It talks about how in history people have been either examples or non-examples of christianity. Overall great little book and very insightful!

[Jon Surrette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really concise and informative book on the historical impacts of Christianity on the world on various aspects. While it might be more historical than other Christian books, it is great information that points to the amazing grace, mercy, and wondering working power of Jesus Christ. Great book for anyone in their walk, believer or non.

[Conner Hampton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spoiler alert…IT IS!!

This book is fantastic I love the way that she goes through history and shows how it all can be rooted to Christian values and ultimately Christian values are the essential and objective reasoning for the grace and hope that is found in peoples lives. Just wish it was longer :(

[Elly Hamby]

I don’t really know what I just read but I got it for free at the gospel coalition conference but this is me confessing that I’m behind on my reading goal and it was a short book so this is only being recorded out of an effort to keep up with my goal. Thanks for understanding

[Elliott Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The premise is Christianity alone provides a sufficient foundation for human freedom, morality, and flourishing. Though James doesn’t (in my opinion) prove the “alone” part, he does show that the Bible is a consistent foundation for those things and gives examples of how other worldviews don’t.

[Josh Loomis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for what it is! It's short and concise and can be easily read in one sitting. James does an excellent job answering some of the main objections to Christianity being good. It seems that this question is increasingly important to those who are skeptical about Christianity.

[Rachel]

Very short but practical start to what a Christian worldview really is in light of history and in contrast to what current culture claims. I listened to it (in less than an hour) so could benefit from a physical read-through again!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of anecdotes of situations in which Christianity or ideas based in Christianity have promoted the common good

[Lisa Castro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short booklet provides a good overview of some of the main significant, positive influences Christianity has had on the culture of the world, with plenty of references/resources noted.

[Abbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Concise and encouraging.

[Jeremy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hagiographic presentation (if that's the right word), but still some good points.

[Abby Grace]

Spoiler: It is.

[Jared · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our new Hard Questions series addresses people’s deep longings for community, their concerns about biblical ethics, and their doubts about confessional faith. Sharon James's book reads like a TED talk delivered to skeptical university students, persuasively making the case that Christianity is not inherently oppressive but rather that it's been a force for good in society.