Historian Tom Holland was investigating the death of Jesus when he had a conversion - and a brush with the supernatural
CNN • • nation
Key Points:
- British historian Tom Holland, initially an atheist-turned-agnostic, experienced a profound shift in his views on Christianity after visiting Sinjar, Iraq, a town devastated by ISIS, where he encountered the symbol of the cross amidst destruction that challenged his understanding of power and morality.
- Holland's 2019 book, "Dominion: How the Christian Revolution Remade the World," argues that Western secular values like compassion and human rights are deeply rooted in Christian concepts, a thesis that has sparked debate among scholars, humanists, and religious leaders.
- Despite his earlier skepticism, Holland now identifies as a Christian, influenced by personal experiences including a serious cancer diagnosis and recovery, which he partially attributes to a possible miracle, and by his ongoing exploration of faith, doubt, and the meaning of the Resurrection.
- Holland's nuanced position bridges history, faith, and personal transformation, making him a prominent and sometimes controversial figure in discussions about Christianity's role in shaping Western civilization and contemporary moral values.
