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Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies Hardcover – April 21, 2009

by David Bentley Hart (Author)
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 441 ratings
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In this provocative book one of the most brilliant scholars of religion today dismantles distorted religious “histories” offered up by Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, and other contemporary critics of religion and advocates of atheism. David Bentley Hart provides a bold correction of the New Atheists’s misrepresentations of the Christian past, countering their polemics with a brilliant account of Christianity and its message of human charity as the most revolutionary movement in all of Western history.

Hart outlines how Christianity transformed the ancient world in ways we may have forgotten: bringing liberation from fatalism, conferring great dignity on human beings, subverting the cruelest aspects of pagan society, and elevating charity above all virtues. He then argues that what we term the “Age of Reason” was in fact the beginning of the eclipse of reason’s authority as a cultural value. Hart closes the book in the present, delineating the ominous consequences of the decline of Christendom in a culture that is built upon its moral and spiritual values.

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  1. Print length
    272 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Yale University Press
  4. Publication date
    April 21, 2009
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1 x 9.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    0300111908
  7. ISBN-13
    978-0300111903
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“With impressive erudition and polemical panache, David Hart smites hip and thigh the peddlers of a ‘new atheism’ that recycles hoary arguments from the past. His grim assessment of our cultural moment challenges the hope that ‘the Christian revolution’ could happen again.”—Richard John Neuhaus, former editor in chief of First Things
(Richard John Neuhaus)

“Provoked by and responding to the standard-bearers of ‘the New Atheism’, this original and intellectually impressive work deftly demolishes their mythical account of ‘the rise of modernity.’ Hart argues instead that the genuinely humane values of modernity have their historic roots in Christianity.”—Geoffrey Wainwright, Duke Divinity School (Geoffrey Wainwright)

"In this learned, provocative, and sophisticated book, Hart presents a frontal challenge to today's myopic caricature of the culture and religion that existed in previous centuries."—Robert Louis Wilken, University of Virginia

(Robert Louis Wilken)

“Surely Dawkins, Hitchens et al would never have dared put pen to paper had they known of the existence of David Bentley Hart. After this demolition-job all that is left for them to do is repent and rejoice at the discreditation of their erstwhile selves.”—John Milbank, author of Radical Orthodoxy: A New Theology
(John Milbank)

“A devastating dissection of the ‘new atheism,’ a timely reminder of the fact that ‘no Christianity’ would have meant ‘no West,’ and a rousing good read. David Hart is one of America's sharpest minds, and this is Hart in full, all guns firing and the band playing on the deck.”—George Weigel, Distinguished Senior Fellow, Ethics and Public Policy Center, Washington (George Weigel)

"Few things are so delightful as watching someone who has taken the time to acquire a lot of learning casually, even effortlessly, dismantle the claims of lazy grandstanders. . . . Hart isn’t making a bid for wealth, fame, or cocktail-party acceptance: He knows whereof he speaks."—Stefan Beck, New Criterion
(Stefan Beck New Criterion 2009-06-01)

"Anyone interested in taking the debate about God to the next level should read and reflect on Hart’s spirited brief on behalf of Christian truth."—Damon Linker, New Republic

(Damon Linker New Republic 2009-04-23)

"Hart writes with elegance. Even his invective has style."—Richmond Times-Dispatch

(Richmond Times-Dispatch 2009-06-08)

"Absolutely brilliant . . . a cultural tour-de-force"—John Linsenmeyer, Greenwich Time

(Greenwich Time 2009-04-08)

“[A] major work by one of the most learned, forceful, and witty Christian theologians currently writing.”—Paul J. Griffiths, First Things (Paul J. Griffiths First Things 2009-08-01)

“Atheist Delusions is a history that serves life . . . Hart argues for a brave thesis . . . . With astonishing success, [he] achieves his objective.”--Christopher Benson, The City



(Christopher Benson The City)

"Indeed, in a culture battle, pitting religion against secularism, Hart may be the best 'corner man' in the business, providing would'be Christian pugilists with a better understanding of both their own strengths and their opponent's weaknesses."—Graham Reside, Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology (Graham Reside Interpretation: A Journal of Bible and Theology)

"Hart aims to provide his readers with a persuasive evocation of historical facts, moral judgments, philosophical principles, and theological musings, which may persuade them of the beauty of Christian truth. . . . Atheist Delusions is an honest book, which doesn't hide the sometimes repulsive truths related to the political or social aspects of historical Christianity."—Mihail Neamtu, Modern Age (Mihail Neamtu Modern Age)

About the Author

David Bentley Hart is the author of several books, including In the Aftermath: Provocations and Laments and The Beauty of the Infinite: The Aesthetics of Christian Truth. He lives in Providence, RI.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Yale University Press; 1st edition (April 21, 2009)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 272 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0300111908
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0300111903
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.18 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1 x 9.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 441 ratings

About the author

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David Bentley Hart

David Bentley Hart

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David Bentley Hart is the author of several volumes of fiction, philosophy, religious studies, and literary criticism, among them Roland in Moonlight, Kenogaia, The Experience of God, The Devil and Pierre Gernet, and You Are Gods. He is also a translator from various languages, and has produced a critical edition of the New Testament. He is co-author with his son Patrick of two children’s novels.

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4.6 out of 5 stars
441 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's content enlightening and intellectually challenging. They describe it as an enjoyable read with an incisive style and humor. Readers find the book profound, fascinating, and eye-opening. The author's dry sense of humor adds a nice touch. However, opinions are mixed on the clarity of the arguments and historical accuracy.

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Enlightened contentReadabilityPresentationEnlightenednessHumorWord clarityHistory accuracy
78 customers mention "Enlightened content"69 positive9 negative

Customers find the book's content enlightening and stimulating. They appreciate the author's spot-on academics and timely humor. The research is excellent, well-researched, and well-documented. The arguments are clearly explained, with the author's dry sense of humor adding a nice touch. While written as an essay, the sources are annotated and accessible. Readers describe the author as knowledgeable and dangerously informed.

"A scholarly and thoughtful answer to the many atheist books that paint a distorted picture of "god" and then attack the distortion...." Read more

"...That being said, this book started well, had a nice historical review, but had one of the most lame conclusions I've ever read...." Read more

"...DBH as historian was certainly impressive, but I found it somewhat difficult to assimilate the many facts he presented into a coherent whole...." Read more

"...I've found more food for thought, more intellectual challenge and stimulation here than in any book I've read in years. Highly recommended." Read more

61 customers mention "Readability"52 positive9 negative

Customers find the book well-written and engaging. They consider it essential reading for Christians who value their faith. The second part is particularly worthwhile and eye-opening.

"...the standard adjectives that came to mind when I read this book: brilliant, stunning, breathtaking...." Read more

"...something compelling in these titles, David Bentley Hart's book is worth reading...." Read more

"...But that one niggling issue aside, Atheist Delusions is one of the best books I have ever read--and I do not say so lightly...." Read more

"...It is better read as an eBook because if you are like me you will be constantly clicking on unfamiliar terms to pull up their meanings...." Read more

13 customers mention "Presentation"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's presentation. They find it well-researched, with an incisive style and a welcome contrast to strident and self-righteous tones. The historical illustrations are intriguing and well-reasoned, even humorous at times.

"...adjectives that came to mind when I read this book: brilliant, stunning, breathtaking. That is a given when one reads David Bentley Hart...." Read more

"...always suggest Miracles for a good overview of the materialist worldview." Read more

"...His historical illustrations are intriguing, well reasoned, even often times humorous. This approach begins to deliver atheism a fatal blow...." Read more

"...His writing style is thoughtful and disciplined and is a welcome contrast to the strident and self-righteous tones of the atheist and secular..." Read more

11 customers mention "Enlightenedness"11 positive0 negative

Customers find the book profound and fascinating. They appreciate the engaging prose style and find it stimulating. The book generates lively discussions and provides food for thought.

"...I've found more food for thought, more intellectual challenge and stimulation here than in any book I've read in years. Highly recommended." Read more

"...It is more a long, and endlessly fascinating, revisit of Ancient History...." Read more

"...Its fun to read of course, because Hart has such an engaging and sarcastic prose style...." Read more

"...It is instead a rather profound and well-thought-out analysis of the whole history of philosophical thought, metaphysics, pagan religion,..." Read more

11 customers mention "Humor"11 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the author's humor. They find it engaging and sarcastic, with a clever prose style that covers caustic topics. The book is not polemic as the title suggests, and readers find it an easy read with Hart's ability to turn a phrase.

"...But Hart is without doubt as urbane, pugnatious, witty, combatative, meandering, and dangerously informed as a writer as you want to enjoy on a..." Read more

"...It reads very well and Hart can turn a phrase...." Read more

"...illustrations are intriguing, well reasoned, even often times humorous. This approach begins to deliver atheism a fatal blow...." Read more

"...title was not so good, but the contents are very enlightening, sometimes amusing and an easy read as the author can actually write!..." Read more

10 customers mention "Word clarity"6 positive4 negative

Customers have different views on the book's clarity. Some find it easy to read and engaging, with more coherence than the essay collection. Others find it a bit wordy at times and using too much jargon.

"...of his book, DBH does an excellent job of highlighting, in a very cogent and intelligent way, the most egregious errors of New Atheism...." Read more

"...He is sarcastic and verbose, but never terribly precise. A big vocabulary does not a compelling argument make...." Read more

"...He writes beautifully, profound but clear in areas; I will read the book again...." Read more

"The only problem is that the author uses a lot of jargon, the content thus far is good but the author is also not getting to the point" Read more

7 customers mention "History accuracy"3 positive4 negative

Customers have varying views on the book's history accuracy. Some find the last chapter hopeful and positive, while others highlight historical inaccuracies and pandering. The book ends on a positive note for some readers.

"...The rest is all petty arguments. History is always ugly, and one can always find examples to "prove" his case...." Read more

"...The last chapter leaves a hopeful message a good read for anyone." Read more

"...to the “Atheist 101” authors and (rightly) showing their historical inaccuracies and their pandering sensationalism...." Read more

"...I like that he ended the book on a positive note. The culture may change, but ultimate truth does not." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Rudy Serra
    5.0 out of 5 stars HIGHLY RECOMMENED, excellent and comprehensive.
    Reviewed in the United States on February 9, 2025
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    A scholarly and thoughtful answer to the many atheist books that paint a distorted picture of "god" and then attack the distortion. I don't have enough faith to be an atheist. I can't believe nothing could create something.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Jacob
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Easterner Defends the West
    Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2009
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    I will forgo the standard adjectives that came to mind when I read this book: brilliant, stunning, breathtaking. That is a given when one reads David Bentley Hart. This book is a combination of alternative history, apologetics, and smash-mouth theology.

    Hart claims the Christian faith represented a revolution in the story of humanity (ix). It shattered the pagan cosmology (115) and introduced new categories of reality, the dimension of the human person for one. However, Hart's thesis is more subtle than that. He is not simply saying "Christianity has done a lot of good to the world; therefore, you need to belive,"--that would be a variant of the genetic fallacy that Hart so masterfully refutes. Rather, Christianity has its own telling of the story, a telling that reworks the categories of human existence within the framework of its own story.

    Over against the story is the narrative of modernity. Modernity's telos is that of freedom. Its highest ideal is putting trust in the absence of a transcendental. Its freedom is nihilistic. Modernity's current defenders, and this is the first half of Hart's book, retell the Western story in a way to demonize Christianity in their defense of modernity. Therefore, Hart meticulously shows how Christianity did not impede science (the chapter on Galileo is hilarious), burn witches (the Inquisition, despite its bad moments, actually limited the bloodiness of the State's persecution of heretics), or fight religious wars (the Crusades are actually a different case, worthy of a conversation but not under this topic).

    One slight criticism: Given Hart's thesis of the Christian revolution of thought and humanity, its shattering and rebuilding of worlds, it is rather surprising to see Hart end on so dismal a note. If the Christian Revolution is as powerful as he says and as I believe, and if the detractors of Christianity are slightly moronic, as appears to be the case, does this not ultimately point to the triumph of the Christian narrative? Of course, the word triumph needs to be carefully qualified.

    Conclusion:
    What many of Hart's readers might not realize with this book, but this is actually Hart's clearest piece of writing. Most of Hart's writing (*Beauty of the Infinite*), while beautiful, is borderline incoherent. This book, on the other hand, is understandable.

    EDIT: I've actually become more critical of this book in particular, and Hart in general over the past year. Hart is quite learned and makes a number of pointed responses to the "New Atheist Detractors." And to be fair, if the New Atheists are going to ridicule Christianity in the most scathing of terms, they need to be ready to play hardball. That being said, this book started well, had a nice historical review, but had one of the most lame conclusions I've ever read. Imagine Beethoven's 9th ending with everyone humming "Kum-by-yah." I mean, there is a major dialectical tension in this book. If Hart is correct on the Christian narrative, then how does his conclusion follow?!?
    112 people found this helpful
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  • BT Invictus
    4.0 out of 5 stars An Insightful Rebuttal
    Reviewed in the United States on June 10, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a refreshing respite from the relentless onslaught of publications we've seen in recent years from the so-called New Atheists. If you've grown skeptical or weary of venomous titles like God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything, The God Delusion, or The End of Faith: Religion, Terror and the Future of Reason, or better yet, if you've found something compelling in these titles, David Bentley Hart's book is worth reading.

    In Atheist Delusions: The Christian Revolution and Its Fashionable Enemies, DBH seeks to expose the New Atheists for what they really are: popular and sensational writers who often rely on inconsistent, faulty and hyperbolic reasoning to advance their anti-faith claims. (I mean, really, "religion poisons everything"?) It is important to understand that this book is not a rant against atheism, but New Atheism. DBH laments the disappearance of yesteryear's logical and thoughtful atheists, people like Frederick Nietzsche who realized the rather frightening implications of their atheistic presuppositions. You will be hard pressed to find among the New Atheists a thinker like Sartre who will admit his disturbance in the face of God's absence, "for along with his disappearance goes the possibility of finding values in an intelligible heaven" ("Existentialism is a Humanism", 28). The terrifying implications, then, which Sartre had the courage to acknowledge, is that "[man:] is nothing more than the sum of his actions, nothing more than his life...[he:] commits himself and draws his own portrait, outside of which there is nothing" (37). Although he disagrees with their fundamental presuppositions, DBH does not try to hide his respect for the atheists of former times.

    It is also important to understand that this book is not a defense of "religion," but rather Christianity, and the ways in which Christianity revolutionized the culture from which it sprang and the ways it has continued to leave an imprint on our thinking, even when we refuse to give credit where credit is due.

    In an effort to try to correct some of the misconceptions about historic Christianity that have been popularized by the New Atheists and other postmodern thinkers, DBH steps into three roles: that of the philosopher, the historian and, to a lesser extent, the theologian. I liked him best as philosopher.

    In the opening chapter of his book, DBH does an excellent job of highlighting, in a very cogent and intelligent way, the most egregious errors of New Atheism. He reminds us that we all bring presuppositions to the table, and that any New Atheist who believes that he has been endowed with the gift of perfect objectivity - that he has somehow parted with the chains of bias that enslave people of faith - is simply deluding himself. He also argues quite well that one's belief in Truth or Beauty or The Good hinges on one's belief in transcendence. Hart demonstrates that the New Atheists' claims, brought to their logical conclusions, "would ultimately erase any meaningful distinction between good and evil, compassion and cruelty, love and hatred, reverence and transgression, and few of us could bear to inhabit the world on those terms" (23). What distinguishes the New Atheists from their more logical and brave predecessors is that they refuse to acknowledge the implications of their claims. To use a popular cliche, they'd like to have their cake and eat it, too.

    DBH as historian was certainly impressive, but I found it somewhat difficult to assimilate the many facts he presented into a coherent whole. I'm sure this is due to knowledge deficits on my part; he does assume, rightly or wrongly, that his readers will come to his text with an already-established foundation of historical knowledge. If you, like me, are largely ignorant of early Christian and Hellenistic history and culture, just hang on and try to enjoy the ride. Also, if you decide to read this book and are Protestant, you will probably be disappointed by that fact that he makes virtually no mention of the Reformation, even though he discusses people and events from that era. I realize that he himself is not Protestant, but how can a book that defends Christianity throughout the ages leave out the Reformation?

    DBH as theologian was not my favorite, but this is to be expected when a theologically conservative Reformed Baptist interacts with the ideas of a theologically liberal Eastern Orthodox. I don't fault DBH for allowing his theology to creep into his book - it is his book, after all - but he does take it for granted that his readers share his theological convictions, even ones that I'm not sure are widely accepted by the Christian community as a whole, like the doctrine of "divination."

    Overall this book is an engaging read and DBH is an impressive writer. Some Goodreads reviewers accused him of being a bit "snarky" and elitist, and I must admit, he is. Perhaps there were times when he could have tread more lightly on his opponents' views, but if any group deserves a dose of "snarkiness," it's the New Atheists. They've been asking for it, and DBH simply delivered.
    19 people found this helpful
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  • Little Hermann
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book
    Reviewed in Germany on February 17, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    This book is a revelation. It is an aggressive defense of Christianity against half-educated, nil-informed critics trying to make cheap bucks by bashing believers. It also serves to remind Christians of the power and splendor of young Chrisitanity.
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  • Prairie Pal
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant read for non-believers and believers
    Reviewed in Canada on February 20, 2015
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    It is difficult to over-praise this book, written by a man with the mastery of historical events, philosophy and theology at his finger tips. It is a calm, judicious and convincing defence of belief in a deity, particularly the Christian one. Atheists will find that some of their champions, particularly the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate, come in for a respectful handling though the author has little good to say of the contemporary crop of New Atheists. Moreover, opponents of Christianity will find that Hart does not shy away from or attempt to gloss over many of the grievous missteps that adherents of Christianity have made over the centuries.

    For me the core of the work is the setting out of the differences that Christianity has made during the last 2,000 years. This is not the usual set of triumphalist claims – We invented science! We invented western civilization! – that one often reads but an unfolding of the profound changes that the death of polytheistic paganism meant and the nihilism that a modern rejection of theism has brought.

    Hart’s work will unsettle some Christians and challenge fair-minded atheists but it is an indispensable work if one is honestly interested in the consequences of a belief in monotheism on the world and a look at what things might be like if Christianity faded in influence.
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  • Phill Sacre
    5.0 out of 5 stars He's done the research
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 21, 2012
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    This book is a must-read for anyone who's interested in the historical influence of Christianity on the world. Many of the so-called 'New Atheists' (not a term I particularly like, but it seems to have stuck) have written about how religion 'poisons everything', and this book is written as a counter to that argument.

    Essentially, Hart seems to have done his homework. As he points out in the introduction to the book, history is not something which can ever be written from a neutral point of view - everyone has some kind of a bias. But, at the same time, he writes as if he actually knows the history (which, frankly, many of the aforementioned new atheists don't), so even if you don't agree with his conclusions you are free to do your own research about the people and places he mentions. Personally I found the conclusions compelling, although I guess you would probably expect me to say that as I am a Christian.

    That said - I don't agree with everything Hart says about the Bible. As far as I can tell it's not written from within any one particular tradition; he takes an approach which I imagine would be acceptable to a lot of critical Biblical scholars.

    The most helpful part of the book for me was the last quarter, about the rise of secularism (very relevant for Britain in 2012 and beyond!) I believe Hart effectively dismantles the notion that a secular society would be a good thing, and as such I'd recommend it to anyone who either is worried about secular society or who wants to champion it. Even if you disagree with his conclusions, the arguments are surely worth engaging with.

    Finally, I think the only point about the book which I would want to warn potential buyers of is the writing style: it's quite dense prose, you might need to read it a couple of times before getting it. It's definitely not a book to read when you're tired late at night! It's a book you want to give your full attention.

    I would recommend it to both atheists and Christians alike - it won't disappoint.
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  • WillHaC
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Apologetics Primer
    Reviewed in Australia on February 4, 2016
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    For the reflective, open and curious reader this is a great book. Hard to process at times but it also delivers a wry smile to the reader acquainted with the subject matter. DBH is forthright and clear thinking and the erudition persuaded me to have a read of The Experience of God, a survey of the world great religion's apprehension of the mind behind the universe. Like Chesterton, not easy reading, but well worth the effort.
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  • Francis, A
    5.0 out of 5 stars A brilliant debunking of atheist mythology
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 22, 2009
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    This book is an in-depth exploration of the bad history, as well as the misconceptions and ignorance about what it is people believe, that is so often used to attack religion. Written by well known American University lecturer, philosopher, and theologian, Professor David Hart, Atheist Delusions tackles such contentious moments in history as Galileo's trial and the witch hunts, explaining history and faith without resorting to popular misinformation or rhetoric, his history strong, verifiable, even-handed, and matter-of-fact, his arguments giving plenty of room for you to make up your own mind, something totally lacking from the populist rants of New Atheism's most virulent supporters, who tend to assume, if not demand, that you agree with their every view, regardless of how extreme or defamatory.

    Professor Hart does not take not the opposite stance of defender railing against atheism itself, but instead attacks idealistic fanaticism on both sides, confessing that there are many denominations of Christianity that he vehemently dislikes, as well as many outspoken atheists he admires, warning against the angry and destructive creed of aggressive 'New Atheism', as well as challenging those who attack Christianity and other faiths without any idea of what they are about and the bad logic that they often use.

    Though I wish it this book could have been a little stronger, and maybe a little less wordy in the introduction, this is a very good book for anyone who has already experienced much of the debate and despairs of the simplistic and pedantic nature of many current arguments, and is a timely warning not to take history's headlines at face value.
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