lOMoARcPSD|22015503
Book critique Christianity’s
Dangerous Idea
Survey of History of Christianity (Liberty University)
lOMoARcPSD|22015503
Christianity's Dangerous Idea: The Protestant Revolution—A History from the Sixteenth
Century to the Twenty-First. By Alister McGrath. New York, NY: Harper One, 2008, 552pp.,
$16.99.
Christianity’s Dangerous Idea: Protestant Revolution-A History from the 16th century to
the Twenty-First by author Alister McGrath elaborates on a stimulating topic over Protestantism
and its dangerous idea of interpreting the Scriptures for their self, which according to McGrath
reduced the need for church hierarchy or authority. McGrath makes bold claims; however, these
claims are backed by well throughout arguments. Nevertheless, there are some weaknesses to
McGrath's argument, particularly regarding the potential of Protestantism. This book critique
offers a succinct summation of McGrath’s work, as well as one’s personal thoughts on the
book’s strengths and weaknesses, and recommendations.
McGrath has divided the book into three sections origination, manifestation, and
transformation. In part one McGrath lays heavy on Catholicism highlighting the Catholic
church's dilemmas with exploitation, clerics, and the papacy. McGrath mentions that
“monasteries were regularly depicted as lice-infected dens of homosexual activity.” (McGrath
2008, 20). The church’s exploitation shows the need for reform and, thus segway reformers like
Luther and Calvin. The author illuminates the atmosphere by stating, “the rules of the game had
changed, and it would never be the same again.” (McGrath 2008, 54). Moving into the book's
