I am looking for dispassionate articles or books on the effect of the
Christian Church on history over the last 500 years. So much of what
appears in the media puts the church in a negative light, while much
good work continues unheralded in the name of Christianity around the
world. Has anyone tried to add up and compare the good and the bad to
see if, on balance, mankind has benefited by the presence of the
Christian Church among us?

I know this is a big subject and maybe no one has tried. I am not
looking for spiritual writing or writing on ultimate truth. I am
looking for a credible writer?s opinion on this subject, with
well-considered arguments to back it up. It should be written for the
general public.

Have you ever thought that the negativity is beacuse the church does
little good?  And any good it does do can just as easily be achieved
by non-religious organizations.

A lot of what Christianity is about these days is judging, hating,
discriminating . . . This is especially true of Evangelicals and
Baptists, among others.

Nelson,

Yes I have and that is why I am asking the question. If you are right
that the good the church can easily be replaced by non-religious
organizations, then we should see, for instance, as much third world
charity money flowing out of Europe, which is less religious, as comes
out of North America, which is more religious. I don't know the
answer. I just want to know if anyone has thought deeply and written
credibly on this.

Did you see the comment that I posted to your earlier question on this topic?

http://www.answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=592668

pinkfreud,

Thank you for your comment. I have'nt had time to look at the book,
and thought I would repost and refine the question in the meantime. I
looked up "An Introduction to Christianity" on Amazon. It looks like a
good quality, dispassionate history: Does Woodhead give an opinion on
my main question?

This is NOT given as an answer to your question as much as to clarify
a common misconception that individuals like nelson-ga  (who complains
about "judging and hating" while judging the entire Christian Church
!!) seem to have.

It is this --  the PRIMARY purpose of the Christian Church as
instituted by Jesus Christ was NEVER primarily about making THIS world
a better place. It was and IS about preparing and enabling INDIVIDUALS
to meet and live with their God in harmony now, but especially in the
Ages to come, AFTER we have passed through the portal of death. If in
the process, society is enriched and improved, all the good. If, on
the other hand, society is overthrown (as ultimately was the Roman
Empire), so be it. You are assuming that YOUR and societies ideas as
to what is "Good" are in harmony with God's plans and intentions !!
They are NOT necessarily so.

Please don't ask me to "prove-it" here. The biblical support would
require an entire article. If you REALLY care about learning more,
contact me through my WEB site.

Reverend Albert E. Jenke, Ph.D.
Director, Total Love In Christ Ministries
www.tlchrist.info

Using the Bible as a source for anything hardly makes you a credible
source.  What is your Ph.D. in and from where?