The “Dark” Ages
John Mark Reynolds has a recent post called, On the Middle Ages: Building for Future Greatness. In it he exposes what he calls the secular myth of the Medieval, which he defines as:
As Christianity spread, culture and civilization declined from the secular glories of Greece and Rome to a dark age dominated by priestcraft and superstition. This is the story that secularists tell themselves, but it is false.
Reynolds argues that Christianity did not bring about the “dark” ages, but instead was responsible for restoring civilization in the West. Others (including non-Christian apologists) agree. I have listened to a number of lectures from The Teaching Company relating to the Middle Ages, which universally have agreed with Reynold’s assessment. These include the Early Middle Ages, the High Middle Ages, and the Late Middle Ages, taught by Philip Daileader (all excellent courses which I would highly recomment to anyone interested in Medievel history).
Reynolds summarizes by stating:
Because Christianity was somewhat dominant in the Middle Ages, our ranks contained the greatest sinners, hypocrites, but also saints, philosophers, and just rulers. When Islam, by God’s great severe mercy, sent the riches of Eastern Christendom to the West, the Western church was ready to receive them. The combination produced much that is good in this world today. Culturally, the notion that Christianity has only harmed the world is, therefore, absurd.