God’s existenceDraft · awaiting advisor review
Isn’t Christianity just useful, whether or not it’s true?
In short
Christianity doesn’t offer itself as useful but as true. Its first preachers staked everything on a public event, Jesus’ resurrection, and said that if it didn’t happen their faith was worthless. A faith kept only because it is useful will be dropped when it stops being convenient, so the question worth asking is whether it is true.
The Objection
You don’t need to believe in miracles to see that Christianity gave the West human rights, charity and beautiful churches. Keep the culture, drop the supernatural. That’s what most people who call themselves Christian do anyway.
Put as its strongest advocates would put it.
The Christian Case
- Historical evidence
Some prominent non-believers now speak warmly of Christianity’s legacy. In 2024 Richard Dawkins called himself a “cultural Christian” while saying he does not believe it. In 2023 Ayaan Hirsi Ali explained becoming a Christian mainly by what it offers a civilisation and a person, saying she still had much to learn.
- Scripture
The New Testament doesn’t offer Christianity as useful but as true. Paul says that if Christ has not been raised, faith is in vain and Christians are to be pitied. He told a Roman governor that these things were “not done in a corner”.
- Philosophical argument
A belief can be useful and false, or true and costly. If Christianity is only useful, it will be dropped when it stops being convenient. If it is true, it matters even when it is not convenient. So the question to ask is the historical one about Jesus, not the social one.
- Scripture
Jesus warned against religion kept as a form without its heart: honouring God with the lips while the heart is far away. Paul warns of “a form of godliness” that denies its power.
Where the Evidence Is Weaker
How much Western values owe to Christianity is debated by historians, and Christian societies also did great harm. Arguments from usefulness cut both ways, and a belief’s being useful says nothing either way about whether it is true.
Arguments to Avoid
- Claiming a revival is under way on the strength of the 2025 “Quiet Revival” figures: the report was withdrawn in 2026 after YouGov found its sample faulty.
- Treating famous converts as evidence that Christianity is true.
- Using Christianity as a badge against other groups, such as Muslims or migrants.
Read for Yourself
1 Corinthians 15:12–20
12Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 15Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. 16For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: 17And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. 19If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. 20But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
Acts 26:24–29
24And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. 29And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
Further Reading
- Dominion: The Making of the Western Mind · Tom Holland (2019)A historian on Christianity’s influence on Western thought.
- The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God · Justin Brierley (2023)
- The God Delusion · Richard Dawkins (2006)The case against belief.
Drafted with Opened AI and awaiting review by Opened’s apologetics advisors. Labels show the kind of support each point has: Scripture is what the Bible says; historical evidence and philosophical arguments can be checked by anyone; “Christians differ” marks questions on which faithful Christians disagree.
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