The Dark Side of Christian History
by Helen Ellerbe
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Book Summary Information
Author: Helen EllerbePreface: Helen Ellerbe
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1995-07
ISBN: 0964487349
Number of pages: 221
Publisher: Morningstar Books
Book Reviews of The Dark Side of Christian History
Book Review: This Book is Not Anti-Christian
Summary: 5 Stars
This book may not be the definitive scholarly treatment of the subject, but I don't think it matters. It's close, in many ways. And it's brevity is an asset, in my opinion. The major events Ellerbe describes are well documented and well known. To me, this is the best evidence of all that mainstream Christianity has distorted Jesus' original message into something obscene and hateful. Whether you believe in Jesus or not, it's clear that a big part of his message was one of condemnation against the authoritarians who had twisted Judaism until it was no longer Godly. The same could be said about what Roman authority did to Christianity. Jesus said:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he 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 perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' (Matthew 7:20-23)
Jesus would not have approved of the enslavement of Africans. But white Americans in the South had been practicing false Christianity for so long that their hearts were closed up tight. "The Dark Side of Christian History" makes it clear that throughout much of Christian history it was the Christians themselves (so called) who were committing the greatest evils. What's more, many of today's Christians are a lot like them.
Constantine's influence ended up corrupting Jesus' message to the point where Christian authorities began behaving more like Nazis than disciples of Christ. And as Jesus also said about those who would later claim to be his followers:
"By their fruit ye shall know them." (Matthew 7:16)
The horrendous atrocities catalogued by Ellerbe's book could not have been committed by truly holy people.
For the first 150 years or so, Christians were steadfastly non-violent. Then emperor Constantine of Rome *claimed* to have seen a vision that told him to commit violence under the sign of the cross. Perhaps many of today's Christians would more properly be called "Constantinians." They don't seem to be able to leave judging and vengeance to God, as Jesus said they should.
If you are a Christian, I urge you to read this book and tell me if you think these were the acts of true disciples of Christ. Of course, many Christians will say, "Oh, but that was Catholicism, not what I believe." But mainstream Christian theology has changed little since then. Many modern day, mainstream Christian beliefs exactly reflect Catholic theology. Prior to the Council of Nicea (called by Constantine himself) there were Christians who had beliefs that were in direct opposition to current mainstream Christianity. Those beliefs were suppressed and eventually wiped out.
I don't mean to criticize the contemporary Catholic church, either. Pope John XXIII is one of my favorite people, period, Christian or non-Christian. And I'm not Catholic. There are good Catholics and bad Catholics just as with any category of human. Christians who have no qualms about committing evils in the name of Jesus, aren't true followers of Jesus, in my opinion. They just use religion to hide their dark side from themselves and to excuse their inhuman cruelties.
What's more likely, in regard to prophecy and the book of Revelation, is that *Constantine* was the antichrist that was predicted, and the 1,600 year distorted view of Christianity which he set in motion represents his reign. It's surprising that many Christians never question these things very much, when Jesus himself told them to be careful which leaders they follow.
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