The Evil That Men Do: Faith, Injustice and the Church
Ebook
At a time when barbarous acts of terrorism are being committed globally and society ponders whether the perpetrators are legitimate religious adherents, Marcus Paul makes an unflinching and counter-cultural examination of some of the worst periods in the Church's history.
Were the crusades entirely inexcusable religious wars? Was the Inquisition the bloody and sadistic "Black Legend" of popular imagination? How can we understand the goodness of God after two brutalising world wars?
In a refreshingly frank treatment of the Church's past failings, this book fills a gap in our understanding of what it is to be Christian in the twenty-first century.
Described by celebrated Oxford apologist and author Dr Michael Green as “a fascinating and frank re-evaluation of the impact of the Christian faith on society”, Marcus Paul’s comprehensive guide to the modern day battle over Christianity’s image and historical legacy is a must-read and useful resource for Christians increasingly on the defensive. In a society where a critical and dismissive view of the Church’s history is becoming commonly accepted as the norm, Paul’s thoroughly researched, well-argued and commendably frank assessment is a valuable asset to any bookshelf.
In his book Paul analyses afresh many of the Church’s frequently highlighted sins and historical controversies, and takes issue with an often lazy mentality evident in anti-theists. Despite supposedly anchoring their worldviews in reason, logic and factual accuracy, they are happy to settle for a generalised and historically uninformed understanding of the Church’s history so as to dismiss the institution today. Whilst of course the Church’s slate is far from clean, an honest appraisal of 2000 years’ worth of world-shaping history can only be a good thing for the debate, and to correct the record Paul looks at both historical wrongdoing in the Church, seeking to identify where criticism is due and where it has been misplaced, but also invites the reader to reflect on the enormous contribution of the Christian faith to western civilisation. With topics ranging from the obvious Crusades, Inquisitions and ‘Dark Ages’ to such triumphs as the abolition of slavery, the reform of prisons and an unparalleled motivation to serve others, The Evil That Men Do makes for informative reading on a range of subjects spanning the Church’s extensive history, impressively well written for its concise 242 pages.
Commenting on this book, the Bishop of Leeds wrote, “Read it and be challenged”, and this advice is there for both Church sceptics and also the Christian faithful, as this book does a fine job in prompting thought on the role and attitude of the Church today. Whilst a valuable contribution to apologetic literature, Paul’s work makes a series of sound and coherent points about what sort of Church we should seek to build today and how it engages with society. In his assessment of the Church’s historical wrongdoing, Paul draws out where and why the Church really did fail in following the teachings of Christ and his apostles, and reminds us that there are many areas in which today there is still considerable room for improvement. These sincere calls for reflection mark the author’s commitment to an improved debate which is both honest and self-critical where there are grounds to be, and distinguishes this book as not just being a Christian defensive dictionary but healthy food for thought for all readers.
Naturally for a study spanning a history as diverse and controversial as Christianity’s, not everyone will agree with Paul’s analysis all of the time; indeed it is to be expected for any work which necessitates reflection on the character of Oliver Cromwell or the scope of the Spanish Inquisition. Evaluating the past wrongs of the Church requires these wrongs to be seen and measured against their contemporary norms and standard practises, and some readers might feel that at certain points Paul is too comfortable pointing to the context of more brutal times in which controversial events took place – when they were perpetrated by the very people whose faith calls them counter-culturally to love their neighbour and turn the other cheek. However for a writer clearly and genuinely motivated to contributing to a higher standard of debate, a full context is essential to painting an accurate picture of a frequently misunderstood and clichéd set of subjects. Paul’s commitment to objectivity remains strong in spite of the naturally controversial subject matter.
Overall this book is not only a fine resource as a historical work but also an excellent, thought-provoking read for anybody with interest in the debate over the soul of this incredibly influential institution, and I can only add my recommendation to the array of Church and academic figures as well as casual readers who give this book consistently high praise.
In an age where it is fashionable to 'bash' the church at every opportunity, it is rare to read such a clear defence of its history and ideas. Marcus Paul provides a compelling and fresh look at the impact of the Christian Church down the ages and educates us as to how best to navigate our way through the current fog of cultural hostility.
The Evil that Men Do is a considered and thoughtful book which seeks to examine the way we look through twenty-first-century eyes at the "darker" events in Church history. In doing so, the author helps us re-examine some of our own prejudices and whilst not denying or minimalizing those things that clearly have been at times truly evil he provides a more balanced viewpoint. He seeks to engage with some of the historians, chroniclers, poets, philosophers, novelists and others who were living during those events which today are placed under a negative spotlight. In doing so we are challenged to look at the story of the Christian Church afresh and to see the Spirit of God moving through human history and through the people of God as they have sought to live, witness and share with others the love of God which they have experienced through Jesus Christ.
A fascinating and frank re-evaluation of the impact of the Christian faith on society, for good and ill, from the first century until the twenty-first.
It is always vital to check our assumptions about historical judgements-not least in the twenty-first-century west. Marcus Paul invites us to correct our memory and to look afresh at assumptions about religion in general, and Christianity in particular. Read it and be challenged.
At a time when attacks on Christianity in the media are as commonplace as controversial comments from Donald Trump, it’s refreshing to read a book which unashamedly reminds the modern reader of the many monumental achievements of this 2,000 year old institution. In The Evil That Men Do (2016, Sacristy Press), Marcus Paul notes that not least among these achievements is the fact that it survived at all, given its very unpromising beginnings, with a founder who was in the public eye for just three years...
[Marcus Paul] helps us not only have confidence in our Christian heritage and to value the biblical faith that inspired it, but also to renew our commitment to play our part in the ongoing mission of the Church - to hold out the offer of eternal life while working also to make this world a better place in the name of Christ.
Marcus Paul disinters much that is positive about the impact of Christianity from its presumed bones, or at least death-throes. He is no mob orator himself, but someone who is able to write with learning passion, judicious observation and cultural awareness.
This is a very accessible, and, at times, passionate account by an author, a widely read Christian, intent on setting the record straight at a time when "the evil that men do" (in this case, particularly the evil that the Church has done, or in which it has been complicit) is well remembered, while the good they do (in this instance, the contribution the Church has made to the betterment of humankind) is oft interred with their bones.
This is a book I would recommend to anyone interested in the role and impact of the Christian Church throughout its history. Although the author is a committed Christian this is not a blinkered defence of the Church. Rather, it acknowledges the wrongs committed in the name of the Church but argues that it would be an error to lose sight of the positive contribution made by the Church to individuals, as well as society and civilisation as a whole, simply because of the emphasis often placed on the more regrettable episodes and periods in the history of the Church.
- Title: The Evil That Men Do: Faith, Injustice and the Church
- Authors: Richard Cunningham, Marcus Paul
- Publisher: Sacristy Press
- Print Publication Date: 2016
- Logos Release Date: 2023
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBNs: 9781908381972, 9781908381958, 1908381957, 9781908381965, 1908381965, 9781908381996, 190838199X, 1908381973
- Resource ID: LLS:9781908381972
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2023-06-15T01:03:38Z
Marcus Paul has two degrees in English and history and has enjoyed a life-long career working with students and sixth formers in universities and schools in three continents. He now spends his time writing and speaking about the Gospel and the Church, as well as painting and reading. He also enjoys rock climbing and travel - having had (as a young man) the now nearly impossible experience of hitch-hiking ‘on a shoestring’ ten thousand miles round Africa and the Near East.