A People's History of Christianity -- New Book

Diana Butler Bass, a Christian historian of Christianity, has recently written and published a book entitled, A People's History of Christianity (Harper, 2009).

A People's History makes an important distinction between two understandings/writings of Christian history. First, there's the Big-C story, which centers on the militant side of Christianity: Christ, Constantine, Christendom, Calvin, and Christian America. Jesus came to earth to save us, but instead founded the Church. Christians were persecuted until Constantine legalized Christianity. The religion spread through Europe, which was dominated by kings and popes of the Catholic Church and was constantly under threat by Muslims, witches, and heretics. Finally, the Protestant reformers, notably John Calvin, came to the rescue and turned the off-course Church from its evil ways. Eventually, Calvin's heirs left for the New World where America has been the beacon of Christianity for the world ever since. This story forwards an us-against-them ethic of a suffering, pitiful church that is vindicated by God through its global victory over other worldviews, religions, or political systems.

However, Bass takes a look at the other side of Christian history, a side centered not on the actions of Christian hierarchical and political institutions, but rather on the lives of everyday common Christian communities and individuals who were committed to living the way of Christ in their daily existence. It's not a story of triumphalism, but of a generative Christianity that engenders a faith of new possibilities of bringing God's love into the world. It's not a tale of political, military, or institutional assertion of power and victory over others, but of Christians dedicated to transforming the world through humble service to God and neighbors, following Christ to sow the seeds of peace and God grace in human communities.

Bass traces a history of Christianity that is grounded in the Great Commandment: In Luke 10:25–27, a lawyer approached Jesus and asked him, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responded, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart... and love your neighbor as yourself.” Immediately following this command, Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan, the parable of a wounded man’s rescue by a stranger, as an example of saving faith. “Go and do likewise,” Jesus told the lawyer.

Here is an excerpt from A People's History outlining the purpose of the book:

"A People’s History of Christianity makes two interrelated claims. First, lived Christianity cannot be understood in terms of the Big-C story; rather, it is best experienced as a community that remembers the ways in which Christian people have enacted the Great Command in different times and places. This history is less a magisterial narrative and more like a collection of campfire tales—discrete stories that embody Christian character, virtue, suffering, and commitment as people “go and do likewise.” Friends swapping stories.

The second, and maybe more surprising, claim is that after decades of struggle, moderate and liberal Christianity is experiencing an unexpected renewal in North America. Many people now refer to this energized cluster as “progressive” or “emerging” Christianity. I have come to think of it as beyond existing categories of conservative-moderate-liberal. Instead, I refer to it as generative Christianity. In congregations and as individuals, people have stumbled into meaningful spiritual practices and a renewed sense of social justice without knowing, perhaps, that these new discoveries have long histories in the Christian tradition. Without a sense of history, progressive Christianity remains unmoored, lacking the deep confidence that comes from being part of a community overtime. What progressive Christians need to understand is that “emerging” Christianity has a story. Their faith is not new; the generative faith of Great Command Christianity is a reemerging tradition that has always been the beating heart of Christian history." (Bass, A People's History, in Religion Dispatches)

This is an intriguing book, especially for evangelical fundamentalist Christians, ex-Christians, or anyone who thinks Christianity is all about militantly enforcing God's will in history through coersion, violence, intolerance, and division, as well as progressive Christians who could benefit from knowing about this other side of Christian history where everyday people have taken Jesus' life and teachings very seriously and have promoted love, compassion, and tolerance.

As the very last part of the excerpt states, this book is especially significant for progressive-minded Christians (including those within Unity circles like myself) who will realize or remember that contemplative spiritual practices and attention to issues of social justice and compassionate living grounded in the Great Commandment and Jesus' life of radical hospitality and love have their roots throughout the Christian faith since the very beginning. Indeed, history's story for a community or group is like the memory of an individual. Unearthing this often untold side of Christian history provides progressive Christians with a sense of community and tradition over time that helps to strengthen our faith and dedication to values of social justice and equality.

Check out a longer excerpt from Bass's book here, and read an interview with her here. Both are at Religion Dispatches.

(Above photo from Amazon.com)