Rebecca McLaughlin, Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World’s Largest Religion (affiliate link). Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2019. 238 pages.
This book was first recommended to me by one of my apologist children who thought it would help familiarize me with some of the basic issues Christian apologists face. I found it to be a helpful overview of where some of the modern battle lines are for those contending for the faith.
Rebecca McLaughlin is from England and was educated at Cambridge. She resides in the United States today with her husband and children. She writes as an apologist for the Christian faith. The book’s title clarifies that Christianity, despite obvious shortcomings, remains the largest religion in the world. McLaughlin makes a case for why.
McLaughlin begins by citing John Lennon’s iconic song, “Imagine,” in which he wonders what it would be like if there was no religion and “nothing to kill or die for” (11). There have been many who imagined that religion, particularly Christianity, is the root of many of humanity’s ills. But as McLaughlin argues, Christianity has often been poorly understood, and history has never found a better alternative.
Throughout this book, McLaughlin tackles some of the toughest challenges to the Christian belief system: Aren’t we better off without religion? Doesn’t religion cause violence? Hasn’t science disproved Christianity? Isn’t Christianity homophobic? How could a loving God allow so much suffering? Doesn’t religion cause violence? Doesn’t Christianity denigrate women? How could a loving God send people to hell?
I’ll highlight some of the many interesting insights she shares.
McLaughlin notes that belief in religion is growing worldwide, not shrinking (12). Religious people also tend to have more children, which she suggests will help mitigate the doomsday forecasts of religion’s imminent demise (12). She also notes that highly educated Americans are more likely to be weekly church attenders. She writes, “In North America, partly thanks to immigrant believers, full blooded Christianity is out competing theologically liberal faith” (13). She also cites evidence that Christianity is growing in China at such a rate that China could have more Christians than the United States by 2030, and it could be a predominantly Christian nation by 2050 (13). It doesn’t appear that the world will be rid of religion any time soon.
In addressing the issue of Christianity and science, McLaughlin notes, “Christians invented science, yet science is seen as antithetical to Christianity” (20). She argues that there is much evidence to suggest that religious belief and practice is measurably good for a person’s health and happiness (21). She concludes, “Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period.” (22). She notes that Christian practices like giving and volunteering provide many positive benefits to practitioners. She also cites evidence that money clearly does not buy happiness (24). She argues that Christianity is not, nor has it ever been, a “western religion” (34). She claims that “The Christian movement was multicultural and multiethnic from the outset” (35). She concludes, “. . . contrary to popular belief—Christianity is the most ethnically, culturally, socioeconomically, and racially diverse belief system in all of history” (37). In the United States, the most likely demographic of a Christian is an African American woman. She notes that “Most of the world’s Christians are neither white nor western, and Christianity is getting less white and western by the day” (43).
McLaughlin pushes back on the notion that it is imperialistic to seek to convert others to one’s belief. She claims, “Indeed, when examined more closely, attempting to persuade others to change their beliefs is a sign of respect . . . We should not be offended when people challenge our beliefs: we should be flattered!” (49).
McLaughlin notes, “We are all more governed by our feelings than by our rationality, and emotions run higher in debates about beliefs” (50). She adds, “We cannot categorize religious beliefs as purely subjective simply because they are personal” (52).
Addressing the belief that more than one religion can be true, McLaughlin states, “To claim that Hinduism and Christianity are ultimately compatible is to do violence to both” (55).
Mclaughlin pushes back at the idea that secular thought is better at promoting a just society than Christianity is. She points out that “when it comes to a robust philosophical foundation for human rights from a secular perspective, building materials are hard to come by” (64). She notes that Singer, a prominent secularist, argues that from an evolutionary perspective, a newborn human baby is no more valuable than a pig, dog, or chimpanzee (65). She argues, “But if science is all we have, our sense of self is just an allusion” (70). Science provides no basis for our own, independent self, let alone for the existence of God. McLaughlin argues that science cannot tell us what is moral or good (89). There are no such categories in science. There only is what is.
While McLaughlin acknowledges Christianity’s many shortcomings in practice, she responds, “But in spite of this, can we turn to a more peaceful religion than Christianity?” (79). She contrasts Christianity with Communism. She argues that “The slaughters of Communism suggest that sometimes at least—slaying the dragon of religion can unleash a more terrible beast” (82).
McLaughlin notes that only six of 57 Muslim countries can be considered democratic (91). She concludes, “To hatch and survive, democracy must be nested in the right philosophical foundation” (91). She argues that the western world, dominated by a Christian worldview, has been far more conducive to fostering freedom and democracy than have other worldviews and religions.
McLaughlin quotes Richard Dawkins as saying that the universe “has precisely the properties we should expect if there is, at bottom, no design, no purpose, no evil, no good, nothing but blind, pitiless indifference” (108). She pushes back on Dawkins’ statement, arguing that there is much evidence that science affirms Christian beliefs and perspectives. She asks, “But was it just coincidental that the modern scientific method was first devised by Christians?” (111). She claims, “Using evolution to blast theism leaves the secular humanist stunned by the kickback” (122). She points out that most atheists are unwilling to relinquish many of the benefits of the Christian worldview, even though they want to expel God from his universe. For example, she argues that, “. . . to call rape wrong, we need a narrative about human identity that goes beyond what science or sociology can tell us” (123). If society is based on nothing more than the survival of the fittest, then it is difficult to moralize about how rape and murder are evil.
McLaughlin references the statistic that the universe is finely balanced with six different numbers having to be extremely precise for it to flourish and survive as it has (127). The odds of the universe having the exact numbers required to sustain life on earth is astronomically small. It is easier for McLaughlin to believe God designed the earth than to accept the odds that it occurred randomly.
In addressing Christianity’s approach toward women, McLaughlin notes that Scripture has always been extremely countercultural regarding its treatment of women. She argues that the ultimate good is not to be happily married but to be in union with Christ. She states, “But within the Christian framework, missing marriage and gaining Christ is like missing out on playing with dolls as a child, but growing up to have a real baby” (141). She adds, “But the primary command to men is to love, not to lead” (141). She admits that Christians throughout history have often lived below the standards set forth in Scripture. Nonetheless, God’s view of women is far higher than that of other religions or worldviews. She states, “We will never understand the Bible’s call on men and women unless we see Jesus as the ultimate man” (143).
McLaughlin also points out that there has always been more women than men who were Christians (145). The reason for this imbalance may be that women have found a comfort and acceptance in Christianity that other worldviews lacked. McLaughlin also points out that couples who live together before marriage are more likely to divorce than those who do not (147). She notes, “. . . just as God created parenthood to show us how he loves his children, so he created sex and marriage to give us a glimpse of what it means to be united to Christ” (155). She adds, “Indeed, deep, Jesus-centered intimacy around shared mission should leave any cheap, hook-up visions of serial intimacy in the dust” (159). The world is offended and confused by Christianity’s views on sex and marriage, primarily because it doesn’t understand the fulfilment found in union with Christ
McLaughlin contends that “The irony at the heart of today’s secular humanism is that spokesmen like Sam Harris believe in human beings no more than they believe in God: Ultimately, both are delusions. Removing meaning from the equation of suffering does not solve the riddle. Rather, it unravels our very self” (194).
McLaughlin has an interesting discussion about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (197). She offers a deep understanding of why a loving God would allow his creatures to suffer. She concludes, “Suffering is not an embarrassment to the Christian faith. It is the thread with which Christ’s name is stitched into our lives” (205). I like the point she makes when she writes, “In the early Genesis narrative, Adam and Eve knew God as Creator and Lord—perhaps even, as friend. But Christians know Jesus far more intimately: as Savior, Lover, Husband, Head, Brother, Fellow Sufferer, and their Resurrection and Life” (206). She concludes the section with a fresh take on the meaning of heaven and hell (218).
I enjoyed this book. It is interesting and moves at a quick pace. McLaughlin is obviously a brilliant Cambridge graduate. She also writes as a committed Christian. I appreciated her Christ-centered approach to apologetics. I also admired her honesty, especially when she confided to her readers that she struggles with same-sex attraction. While readers might be concerned that she continues to deal with this issue, she is careful never to make excuses or to justify unbiblical behavior.
I enjoyed her writing style. She uses a number of memorable phrases. This would certainly be a great introduction to these important apologetical issues. I recommend it!
Rating: 3
