The early Church played a pivotal role in shaping Christianity and Western civilization, but its history and teachings are often misunderstood or misrepresented. Some atheists critique the early Church based on misconceptions, incomplete knowledge, or oversimplifications. This blog explores 15 things some atheists get wrong about the early Church, providing historical evidence, scholarly insights, and scriptural references.
1. The Early Church Was a Political Movement
Some atheists argue that the early Church was primarily a political movement aimed at gaining power. However, the early Church grew in defiance of political systems. Far from seeking influence, early Christians faced severe persecution under Jewish and Roman authorities. They met in secret and risked their lives for their faith, proving that their motivation was spiritual, not political.
Rodney Stark writes: “The success of the early Church was not due to its political power but to its ability to transform ordinary people with extraordinary hope.”¹
¹ Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity (San Francisco: HarperOne, 1996).
2. The Early Church Invented the Resurrection
Critics claim that the resurrection was a fabricated doctrine designed to unify and inspire early Christians. However, belief in the resurrection predates the establishment of the Church itself. The early creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, dated to within a few years of Jesus’ death, affirms the resurrection as central to the Christian faith.
N.T. Wright explains: “The belief in Jesus’ resurrection is the only plausible explanation for the rapid growth and resilience of the early Church.”²
² N.T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2003).
3. Christianity Was Borrowed from Pagan Religions
Some suggest that early Christianity borrowed concepts from pagan religions, such as dying and rising gods. However, Christianity emerged from a distinctly Jewish context that was fiercely opposed to syncretism. The alleged parallels often cited (e.g., Osiris, Mithras) either misrepresent pagan beliefs or postdate Christianity.
Edwin Yamauchi writes: “No serious scholar believes that early Christianity was simply a syncretistic fusion of pagan myths.”³
³ Edwin Yamauchi, Jesus Outside the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995).
4. Constantine Invented Christianity
A common claim is that Emperor Constantine (272–337 A.D.) invented Christianity or radically altered its doctrines. However, the core beliefs of Christianity, including Jesus’ divinity and resurrection, were firmly established centuries before Constantine. The Nicene Creed (325 A.D.) formalized, not created, these doctrines.
Bart Ehrman notes: “The idea that Constantine created Christianity is a myth. What Constantine did was to make Christianity legal, not to invent its doctrines.”⁴
⁴ Bart Ehrman, The Triumph of Christianity (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2018).
5. Early Christians Opposed Science
Some atheists argue that the early Church stifled scientific progress. However, Christian theology provided the intellectual framework for the development of science. Early Christians affirmed that God created a rational, orderly universe, making scientific inquiry possible. During periods of societal collapse, they preserved and transmitted scientific knowledge.
Peter Harrison states: “Far from being anti-science, Christian theology provided many of the key assumptions that underpinned the rise of modern science.”⁵
⁵ Peter Harrison, The Territories of Science and Religion (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2015).
6. Early Christians Were Illiterate and Uneducated
Critics often portray early Christians as uneducated and gullible. While many early Christians came from humble backgrounds, the Church also attracted highly educated individuals, such as Paul, a Pharisee trained under Gamaliel, and Clement of Alexandria, a philosopher. Christianity appealed across social classes because of its universal message.
Larry Hurtado writes: “The intellectual rigor of early Christian theology stands in stark contrast to claims that it was a movement of simpletons.”⁶
⁶ Larry Hurtado, Destroyer of the Gods (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2016).
7. The New Testament Was Written Several Decades After Jesus
Some atheists claim that the New Testament was written several decades after Jesus’ death, some claiming it as late first century or even early second century, making it unreliable. However, this is factually incorrect. Most New Testament books were written within 20–40 years of Jesus’ death, well within the lifetimes of eyewitnesses. And, very early creeds, such as what is found in 1 Corinthians 15, within a few years of the resurrection. Key texts, such as Paul’s letters, date to the 50s A.D., just two decades after the crucifixion. Even the Gospel of John, often considered the latest, was completed before the end of the first century with some prominate scholars provideing evidence that it dates before 70 AD.
F.F. Bruce states: “The New Testament documents are the best-attested writings of antiquity and were composed within living memory of the events they describe.”⁷
⁷ F.F. Bruce, The New Testament Documents: Are They Reliable? (Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2003).
8. The Early Church Oppressed Women
Some critics argue that the early Church marginalized women. However, women played significant roles as disciples, benefactors, and leaders. Lydia hosted one of the first house churches (Acts 16:14–15), and Priscilla (Romans 16:3) was a key teacher alongside her husband.
Karen Jo Torjesen writes: “The early Church provided opportunities for women that were unheard of in the surrounding culture.”⁸
⁸ Karen Jo Torjesen, When Women Were Priests (San Francisco: HarperSanFrancisco, 1995).
9. The Church Grew Through Forced Conversions
Some skeptics suggest that Christianity spread through coercion. However, in its early centuries, Christianity expanded peacefully, often under persecution. Converts were drawn by the moral integrity, charity, and hope of the Christian faith.
Tertullian famously wrote: “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”⁹
⁹ Tertullian, Apologeticus, Chapter 50.
10. The Early Church Was Intolerant of Other Beliefs
Some atheists claim that early Christians were intolerant of other religious or philosophical traditions. While Christians rejected idol worship and proclaimed Christ as the only way to salvation (John 14:6), they also engaged respectfully with competing worldviews. Early apologists, such as Justin Martyr and Origen, dialogued with Greco-Roman philosophers to defend and articulate the faith.
Alister McGrath explains: “Far from being intolerant, early Christians sought to engage with their cultural and philosophical environment to explain their faith.”¹⁰
¹⁰ Alister McGrath, Christianity’s Dangerous Idea (New York: HarperOne, 2007).
11. Early Christians Neglected Physical Needs
Critics often argue that early Christianity focused solely on spiritual matters while neglecting practical concerns. On the contrary, the early Church was renowned for its care for the poor, the sick, and the marginalized. Acts 2:44–45describes Christians sharing their possessions to meet one another’s needs.
Rodney Stark writes: “The Christian emphasis on charity and compassion was revolutionary in a world that largely lacked social welfare systems.”¹¹
¹¹ Rodney Stark, The Rise of Christianity (San Francisco: HarperOne, 1996).
12. The Early Church Was Unified and Without Conflict
Some atheists idealize the early Church as a unified entity and critique later divisions as evidence of corruption. However, even the earliest Christians experienced theological disagreements, as seen in the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) and Paul’s letters addressing disputes. The Church’s ability to maintain fellowship despite diversity highlights its commitment to truth and unity.
James D.G. Dunn notes: “Unity in the early Church was not the absence of diversity but the ability to maintain fellowship despite differences.”¹²
¹² James D.G. Dunn, Unity and Diversity in the New Testament (London: SCM Press, 2006).
13. Christianity Was an Elitist Movement
Another misconception is that Christianity only appealed to the wealthy or educated elite. While influential individuals, such as Lydia (Acts 16:14) and Cornelius (Acts 10:1–2), joined the faith, the Church primarily attracted the poor and marginalized. This inclusivity set Christianity apart from other ancient religions.
Larry Hurtado observes: “Christianity’s appeal to all classes of society, especially the socially disadvantaged, was a key factor in its explosive growth.”¹³
¹³ Larry Hurtado, Destroyer of the Gods (Waco: Baylor University Press, 2016).
14. The Early Church Opposed Military Service
Some argue that early Christians universally rejected military service. While many early Christians embraced pacifism, others served in the Roman army. The Church’s stance on military service evolved as Christianity spread and wrestled with questions of justice and violence.
David Hunter notes: “The early Church did not have a single, unified stance on military service but engaged in ongoing debates about the ethics of war and peace.”¹⁴
¹⁴ David G. Hunter, Christianity and the Military in the Early Empire (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1990).
15. The Early Church Fabricated Its Martyrs
Some skeptics claim that stories of Christian martyrs were exaggerated or fabricated to inspire devotion. While some accounts include legendary elements, many martyrdoms are well-documented by non-Christian sources. Martyrs such as Polycarp of Smyrna and Perpetua were real individuals whose courage inspired the Church.
Candida Moss, a skeptical scholar, acknowledges: “There is no doubt that early Christians endured significant persecution, and their willingness to die for their faith was a testament to their convictions.”¹⁵
¹⁵ Candida Moss, The Myth of Persecution (New York: HarperOne, 2013).
Expanded Conclusion: The Legacy of the Early Church
The early Church was not a flawless institution, but its growth, resilience, and transformative message remain unparalleled in history. Emerging in a hostile environment, it defied expectations by spreading through love, sacrifice, and faith rather than coercion or political power.
The Early Church’s Transformation of Society
The early Church’s influence extended beyond religion, shaping social values that endure to this day:
- Charity and Care: The Christian emphasis on helping the poor and sick revolutionized social norms in the Roman Empire.
- Human Dignity: Christianity proclaimed the intrinsic worth of every individual, laying the foundation for modern human rights.
- Education and Knowledge: By preserving ancient texts and establishing schools, Christians contributed to intellectual and cultural advancement.
Secular Scholars on the Early Church
Even secular and skeptical scholars recognize the remarkable impact of the early Church:
- Bart Ehrman: “The growth of Christianity in its first few centuries is one of the most remarkable phenomena in the history of Western civilization.”
- Karen Armstrong: “The early Christians’ radical emphasis on compassion and inclusion transformed the Roman Empire.”
Christian Scholars on the Early Church
Christian scholars highlight the theological and moral foundation laid by the early Church:
- N.T. Wright: “The early Church, rooted in the resurrection of Jesus, offered a vision of hope and renewal that continues to resonate today.”
- Rodney Stark: “The rise of Christianity was not due to wealth or power but to the radical commitment of ordinary believers.”
A Final Challenge
Could it be that misconceptions about the early Church stem from a misunderstanding of its historical and cultural context? The early Church’s resilience under persecution, commitment to charity, and transformative message invite modern readers to reconsider its significance. As Tertullian famously observed, “The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church.”
The story of the early Church is one of perseverance, faith, and a radical vision of love and hope—a legacy that still inspires millions today.
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