Dominion: An Apologetic Gift
Tom Holland’s book, Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind, (1) is an expansive review of Christianity’s influence in our world over the past 2000 years. It is detailed, comprehensive, objective, humbling and compelling.
And for the vast majority of readers, Holland’s task is like trying to explain water to a fish: ‘This is just the way it is and always has been’.
Not so, says Holland: “To live in a western country is to live in a society still utterly saturated by Christian concepts and assumptions…Two thousand years on from the birth of Christ, it does not require a belief that he rose from the dead to be stamped by the formidable—indeed the inescapable—influence of Christianity…So profound has been impact of Christianity on the development of western civilization that it has come to be hidden from view.” (2)
If you’ve attended Bible school or took any History of Christianity courses, a decent amount of the historical account of the church’s story—both the encouraging and the cringe-worthy—will be familiar to you. There are numerous examples over the past two centuries of the church embodying the beautiful ideals like the dignity of each person, kindness & meekness, concern for the marginalized and sacrificial love. There are also numerous examples of the church clamouring for power, enacting violence, and devouring fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Holland, in my view, does a fair assessment—holding the church’s feet to the fire for our past foolishness and sin, while at the same time making secular humanists squirm in their cozy reading chairs as they consider the worldview they operate from.
In my view, this is the ‘gold’ of Holland’s book and what sets it apart from other books that are simply a historical recounting of the facts: Dominion reveals how Christianity became the foundational bedrock of western society and explores those vast implication on modern life. This is what makes it a such a useful apologetic book in today’s context (though Holland did not write it as such!).
At several points this past semester Jason has asked us to reflect on not only WHAT we believe, but WHY we believe it. This second question is a far more difficult question to answer, but it is equally important to the first. This second question is also very useful to ask in our engagement with others who are either indifferent to, or antagonistic towards, ‘Christianity’ or ‘the church’, and a ‘regular Joe or Jane’ might be surprised to find themselves arguing from a ‘Christian platform’ (or more surprising, arguing a Christian value!). If nothing else, an honest humanist will be a little more humble and less dogmatic in their interactions with Jesus followers as they reflect on the implications of Holland’s book—at least they should be as this would be the natural reaction when one realizes they are cutting off the branch that they are sitting on!
Further, the implications of Dominion provide a significant opportunity to press the secular humanist concerning the future of a functioning democracy and a civil society: If we are going to reject the Christian God and the Christian foundation that we have constructed our western civilization upon, what alternative foundation is there and how do we get everyone to agree to it? Without a shared narrative, which provides a shared truth and morality, it seems that the group which holds power is given a disproportionate amount of influence to declare what is true and right and real…something the secular humanist criticizes the church for doing in past centuries.
Every strength has a corresponding weakness, and Holland’s thorough research produces a book of 525 pages with 67 pages of references (footnotes, bibliography, index) that is not always the easiest to read. In light of that, this book might not be the best one to pass on to some of your friends, but if you felt like the concepts presented in Dominion are important realities to understand, and you are looking for a more accessible read, you might want to check out Glen Scrivener’s book, The Air We Breathe: How We All Came to Believe in Freedom, Kindness, Progress, and Equality (3). It is a great alternative and an easier read (it’s also written by a Jesus follower).
All told, Holland has written an important book for Christians and non-Christians to wrestle with. The implications of the past raise very important questions about the future that we must wrestle with in the present. May God grant His people the wisdom to use this information wisely and well as we seek to engage in thoughtful public discourse as well as personal conversations with acquaintances and friends.
- Tom Holland, Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind (London: Little, Brown, 2019).
- Tom Holland, Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind (London: Little, Brown, 2019) xxv, xxix.
- Glen Scrivener, The Air We Breathe: How We All Benefit from the Values of Christianity (London: The Good Book Company, 2020).
About the Author
Scott Dickie
2 responses to “Dominion: An Apologetic Gift”
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Hi Scott,
Great post. Todd Henley also referenced another book that might be an easier read: Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity: How the Obscure, Marginal Jesus Movement Became the Dominant Religious Force in the Western World in a Few Centuries, New York: HarperOne, 1996.
You wrote, “May God grant His people the wisdom to use this information wisely and well as we seek to engage in thoughtful public discourse as well as personal conversations with acquaintances and friends.”
On Thursday, I am speaking about immigration (probably to a hostile audience). I hope to lead with scripture (it is a Bible study) and then discuss the personal actions I have taken to contribute to the immigration process. (My NPO is interlinked.)org)
My hope is that my actions will speak louder than words.
I lack the eloquence to convince anyone, but my desire is that my NPO will demonstrate how big problems do start with small solutions.
At the end of it all, I am willing to let them be wrong.
Shalom.
Hi Scott,
Another great post! I’ve enjoyed your writing style. I’ll miss reading your posts, and learning from your critical thinking and insights.
You accurately described my reading experience and the truths present in this book, as well as the possibilities if everyone took the time to read it “…holding the church’s feet to the fire for our past foolishness and sin, while at the same time making secular humanists squirm in their cozy reading chairs as they consider the worldview they operate from.” It’s a squirmy read for everyone! It’s a very human story laced with hope because of God’s willingness to suffer because of love.
Who would you recommend this book to? I’m wondering this myself!
Have a wonderful Christmas!