The Everlasting Man · Chapter
VI: The Five Deaths of the Faith explained
Chesterton argues that Christianity has repeatedly died and been resurrected throughout history, surviving crises such as Arianism, the Albigensian heresy, Renaissance humanism, the Enlightenment, and Darwinism.
What happens
Chesterton argues that Christianity has repeatedly died and been resurrected throughout history, surviving crises such as Arianism, the Albigensian heresy, Renaissance humanism, the Enlightenment, and Darwinism. Unlike pagan mythologies that merely faded, Christianity has shown a unique vitality, always returning as a new force, converting the age rather than being swept away by it.
Themes in this chapter
Historical Continuity and Renewal
Chesterton emphasizes that Christianity has repeatedly died and risen again, showing a pattern of renewal rather than mere survival.
The Fall and Redemption of Man
The chapter's central metaphor of death and resurrection mirrors the Christian narrative of fall and redemption, applied to the Church itself.
Uniqueness of Christianity
Christianity is portrayed as unique among religions and philosophies because it has the power to return to life after apparent death, unlike pagan mythologies.
Characters to notice
- Julius Caesar
Mentioned as an example of a pagan who publicly worshipped gods like Jupiter while privately laughing at them, contrasting with the Christian experience.
- Jesus Christ
Referenced as the god who knew the way out of the grave, symbolizing Christianity's repeated resurrections.
- St. Thomas Aquinas
Cited as the answer to the challenge of nominalism, taking all knowledge for his province in the scholastic revival.
- Aristotle
Mentioned in the context of Aquinas occupying the chair of Aristotle, representing the integration of classical philosophy with Christian thought.
Key passages
“Christianity has died many times and risen again; for it had a god who knew the way out of the grave.”
Christianity has repeatedly faced apparent destruction but always revived, because its founder conquered death.
Summarizes the chapter's central thesis of repeated death and resurrection.
“A dead thing can go with the stream, but only a living thing can go against it.”
Only something truly alive can resist the prevailing current of the age; dead things merely drift.
Chesterton uses this metaphor to argue that Christianity's ability to swim against the tide proves its vitality.
“The Faith is not a survival. It is not as if the Druids had managed somehow to survive somewhere for two thousand years.”
Christianity is not a mere relic that has lingered on; it has actively returned again and again.
Distinguishes Christianity from pagan survivals like Druidism, which lack the power of renewal.