Thanks be to God
In his book, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World, Tom Holland, historian of ancient societies, writes an extensive account of the influence of Christianity on Western Civilization. In Holland’s own words, “This book explores what it was that made Christianity so subversive and disruptive; how completely it came to saturate the mindset of Latin Christendom; and why, in a West that is often doubtful of religion’s claims, so many of its instincts remain – for good and ill – thoroughly Christian.”[1]
Holland’s Perspective
Holland argues that the Christian values, such as universal human dignity, equality, and compassion, are woven deeply into Western societies, shaping their moral, ethical, and cultural scaffolding. He asserts that even as the West has moved away from identifying with the Christian church, many of its core values and institutions still “bear the imprint of Christianity.”[2] William Edgar, professor of apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary notes that Holland’s thesis “is that the gospel reverses the usual way in which power works by introducing love rather than conquest. This has happened over and over again throughout Western history. One might say that the basic proposal is “the meek shall inherit the earth (Matt 5:5).”[3]
Holland presents a story of an imperfect humanity, often striving to live out their “Christian” convictions in imperfect and misunderstood methods.[4] Says reviewer Terry Eagleton, “Holland has… an intense, sometimes rather grisly feel for the physical: the book is resonant with the cracking of bones, flaying of flesh and shrieks of small children tossed into fires. Some of this was inflicted on Christians, and some of it inflicted by them.”[5] For Holland, the Christian story remains one of the most influential and greatest stories ever told.[6]
Pondering Holland’s Presentation
I have always assumed that valuing human life and protecting the marginalized and ensuring basic rights of survival for all were moral truths with which humans were born knowing, moral truths wired into our being by a loving Creator. Holland’s point of view is that these were never self-evident truths, but dominant Christian values passed down through civilizations.[7] These “truths” are now so taken for granted in our Western culture, that we have lost track of their Christian roots. I am going to have to ponder this further, as I am not quite ready to fully embrace Holland’s thesis. I do find it incredible that these values have been woven over time into Western culture and have endured, despite mixed human motivations. I also think God’s qualities of love and compassion and care for others are woven into the human spirit.
The Longevity of God’s Story
As I contemplated the longevity of Christian values which are still driving Western cultural agendas after two thousand years, my thoughts jumped to the longevity of the revelation of God through God’s creation, which has remained steady since the beginning of time. This is truly a long-standing version of the greatest story ever told, and, as the focus of my doctoral project, it’s fresh on my mind.
In all creation, seen and unseen, God offers steady and consistent messaging, revealing himself, offering rhythms of life, demonstrating growth, connectedness, healing, and hope. Some people have historically referred to God’s creation as the “book of nature,” which speaks of God’s character and offers invitation to know God in unique and rich relationship, without words, but in full knowing. Barbara Mahany, author of The Book of Nature: The Astonishing Beauty of God’s First Sacred Text, in describing what it means to read this everyday book, writes:
“I read with my heart and my soul wide open. I read with my loam-stained mitts sunk deep in the earth, and my mud-splashed boots crunching the autumn woods. I read with my nose to the glass from my upstairs nook. I read while taking out the trash and when dumping sunflower seed in the backyard feeder. I read when the rain taps at my window and awakes me from slumber. I read when I open my eyes to an ice-crystal dawn.
And the more I read, the more I see and feel and hear. With my own eyes and flesh and ears – and soul. And the more I see what has always been: my God reaching out to me in all God’s astonishments and beauties and wonders. It’s a book without end, and I’ll never stop reading.”[8]
Conclusion
Tom Holland presents an incredible account of the persistence of Christian values as transmitted through people of countless civilizations, with varying motivations and abilities to interpret and convey that messaged and it’s roots. It is astounding that these values have weathered the imperfections of our humanness. I’m contemplating Holland’s full thesis and not sure I agree.
I am thankful, however, that God does not leave the transmitting of his story entirely up to humans but has provided us with numerous ways of knowing and drawing close to him, one of which is through the amazing gift of God’s creation. Thanks be to God.
[1] Tom Holland, Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World (New York, NY: Hachette Book Group, Inc., 2019), 17.
[2] ChatGPT 3.5, “Thesis of Dominion by Tom Holland,” March 29, 2024, chat.openai.com.
[3] William Edgar, “A Book Review of Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World,” Unio Cum Christo, April 2021, uniocc.com.
[4] Holland, 542.
[5] Terry Eagleton, “Dominion by Tom Holland Review: The Legacy of Christianity,” in The Guardian, November 21, 2019, https://www.theguardian.com/books/2019/nov/21/dominion-making-western-mind-tom-holland-review.
[6] Holland, 17.
[7] Holland, 540.
[8] Barbara Mahany, The Book of Nature: The Astonishing Beauty of God’s First Sacred Text (Minneapolis, MN: Broadleaf Books, 2023), 5.
About the Author
Jenny Steinbrenner Hale
9 responses to “Thanks be to God”
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Hey Jenny, I’m going to attempt to sway you to agreement with Holland’s thesis. I have been listening to a a debate on a podcast between an atheist and a Christian on wether western secularity creates a more moral society than a Christian influenced society. The Christian thinker, though not quoting Holland, would agree with what Holland says because he affirms that our moral understanding is deeply rooted in the Christian tradition. The atheist contests that there were morals before Christianity, which is true. However, the morals were around “tribal interest.” What’s best for the tribe rather than the whole of humanity (the latter being a Christian adaption). What do you think? Does that help sway you?
Hi David, Oh wow, this is so interesting. I love that you’re trying to sway me! 🙂 That is something to consider. I actually read your comment last week and haven’t had time to get back to responding, but I have been pondering this. You have definitely made me think! I really think God has wired some values into us that align with Christian values. Being made in God’s image, it seems like we have got to have God’s qualities built into us at a core level. So much detail we could go into here. What do you think?
So interesting about the tribal values… I need to listen to that podcast you mentioned.
Jenny,
I, too, think God’s qualities of love, compassion, and care for others are woven into the human spirit. Has it just been since Christ’s time on this earth, as Holland implies? Or always? Your question is an excellent one.
I also agree that I am thankful God has not left his story being told up to humans. It is transmitted even by nature. Thank the Lord for that!
Your post is incredible, as ever!
Thank you, Tonette, for reading and for sharing your thoughts. It’s such an interesting thought, isn’t it, re the ways in which God has morally wired us?
Hope you had a good weekend. See you tomorrow!
Jenny, I appreciated your title and finishing acknowledgment, “thanks be to God”. Whether we agree or not with Holland’s thesis, I think we can all agree that “thanks be to God” is an appropriate response as we consider the inherent Christ-like values and morals that humans have as well as the Christ-like values and morals that have been passed down through people and time.
Is there a particularly memorable encounter with or experience in God’s creation that has led you to say “thanks be to God?”
Hi Caleb, Thanks for reading and for your comments. That’s a great question. One memorable experience in God’s creation that has caused me to say “thanks be to God” is actually an entire season of my childhood in which we lived on a hillside in Southern Oregon and I had the chance to play outside everyday. My brother and I had a lot of adventures and it was a major time of life when I came to love God and love God’s creation together, in the same experiences. I’m so thankful for that season. Thanks for the question!
Hi Caleb, Thanks for reading and for your comments. That’s a great question. One memorable experience in God’s creation that has caused me to say “thanks be to God” is actually an entire season of my childhood in which we lived on a hillside in Southern Oregon and I had the chance to play outside everyday. My brother and I had a lot of adventures and it was a major time of life when I came to love God and love God’s creation together, in the same experiences. I’m so thankful for that season. Thanks for the question!
I loved your ponder! Thank you for always bringing your perspective in an engaging way!
Great post!
Thanks for your positive words, Alana!