The Myth of “Christian” Atrocities

A common statement to defend an atheistic world-view is “There have been more massacres in the name of Christianity than any other religion. Religion is the cause of all our problems.” This is a straw man argument.  It is illogical and frankly worn out. Let me explain:

The term Christian is quite loose now days. The term Christian blankets a wide variety of denominations, cults, agnostics, universalists, and pluralists. So what am I saying? There are “Christians” and then there are Christians. I may say “I’m a vegetarian.” But if you see me eating bacon double cheeseburger, you will call me on my hypocrisy.  When a “Christian” creates a heinous crime, rarely is authentic Christianity into question, rather the baby is thrown out with the bath water.

Jesus Christ Himself knew His follower’s life would be under radar. That’s why in John 15:8 He said, “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” In the same way James, the brother of Jesus, said “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead” (James 2:17). Therefore we must ask who is a true Christ follower? Is anyone who claims the title “Christian” truly a Christian?

Christ answered this question in several places. Matthew 7:21-23 says “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’’ Here Christ is saying there are those who self-deceive themselves as followers, but never truly repented and became saved.

Jesus told a parable about the four soils in Luke 8:5-15 “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds ate it up. Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.”When he said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” His disciples asked him what this parable meant. ¹⁰ He said, “The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so that, ‘though seeing, they may not see; though hearing, they may not understand.’ ‘This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. Those along the path are the ones who hear, and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. Those on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and they do not mature. But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.”

You see there are those who hear the word and reject it. There are those who receive the word and acknowledge it intellectually, but never in their soul. Then there are those who hear, repent, and are saved. The latter are the Christians.

It is also worth noting the reality of the great deal of good deeds done by Christians. Shouldn’t we posit Christianity is true because of the charity and good works of true believers? We have charities, rescues, donations, hospitals, schools, and so much more in the name of Christ.

And last, let’s remember there are no righteous people (Romans 3:10). All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). We are all fallen people. A true convert is justified through salvation, and sanctification (the process of being made to in the image of Christ) is ongoing. Christians are not perfect and should never claim to be. We will make mistakes like anyone else; however we must not allow sin to become habitual or view grace as a ticket to sin (Romans 6:1).

If you are unsure if you are saved or have never repented (turned from sin) and placed your faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, do so now. If you are unsure of how to do this or want to discuss this further, e-mail me.