A prominent atheist writer offers an ironic prescription for American democracy.
Despite shunning God, author Jonathan Rausch argues that American expressions of Christianity have embraced secularism and liberalism, which is damaging not only to the American church but also to American democracy and society. I believe that I am giving you.
As the Roman world learned, the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformative. Its power transforms not only people but society as a whole.
The solution, he argues, is for Christians to practice their faith with integrity and not be blown by the winds of progressivism.
“What really needs to happen to put our country on a better trajectory is not that Christianity becomes more secular or freer, but that Christianity becomes more Christian and more authentic.” Become a Christian,” he said. said In a recent interview with the New York Times, he said:
Specifically, Mr. Rauch highlighted three “Christian fundamentals” that he believes overlap with the fundamentals of Madison's liberalism.
- “Be like Jesus. Imitate Him.”
- “Don't be afraid.”
- “Forgive each other.”
These are the basic principles on which the Founding Fathers built this country, and ultimately give rise to other fundamental virtues such as “authenticity and legality and the equal dignity of every individual,” Rauch said. insisted.
Importantly, Mr. Rauch points out the problem with abandoning Christian principles in American society: “Once people begin to lean toward Christianity, they begin to look elsewhere for the source of their values.'' That's what he explained.
For a committed atheist to admit that America needs more Christianity – real Christianity based on the Bible – is a clear failure of secularism. This is not only an ironic confession, but also highlights a larger crisis in our society: that anti-Christian progressivism, which promises its followers a path to a good life, is a failed project.
Anti-Christian progressivism as an ideology is built on individual autonomy and moral relativism, creating the illusion that each person can be his or her own god.
Live your truth. Do what is best for you. Make yourself happy. Prioritize numbers at the expense of other things.
That is the creed of secularism and anti-Christian progressivism.
The problem, of course, is that not only is this a path to chaos, death, and destruction, but as Rauch observed, the secular progressive framework lacks the moral and communal unity that Christianity provides. It means that it is. And if America is built on objective principles tied to Christianity, such as truth, justice, and equality (that is, every human being is created in the image of God and has inherent worth and dignity) Embracing the Antichrist's progressivism and secularism will ultimately undermine American society. society.
The fruits of worldly projects are obvious to those who have eyes to see and ears to hear.
Rauch's criticism gets to the heart of the matter. Not only is it most important that American society not abandon God to embrace anti-Christian progressivism, but the church must also be a true witness, or, in Rausch's words, a “true Christian.”
Remember what Jesus said about his followers in the Sermon on the Mount about salt and light?
Matthew 5:13-15 records Jesus' words.
You are the salt of the earth. But if salt becomes tasteless, what makes it salty? It is no longer of any use other than being thrown outside and being trampled by people. you are the light of the world. You cannot hide a city that is on a hill, and you do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a candlestick, and it gives light to everyone who is in the house.
When Christians, like many liberal mainline Protestant denominations, embrace secularism and anti-Christian progressivism, the salt becomes tasteless, like a light hidden under a basket.
But to be salt and light is to resist the temptation to align with secular and/or progressive cultural trends that undermine the essence of authentic Christianity.
It is therefore all the more ironic that Rauch recognizes this important aspect of Christianity.
Mr. Rauch is by no means a Christian, but his call to action to imitate Jesus is the right prescription for Christians (of course) and American society as a whole.
Christians should hear this ironic endorsement of Christianity as a compliment. Even skeptics like Rauch understand the value and truth of authentic Christian faith, and understand that authentic Christianity, not secularism, leads to a better life for you, me, and all people. This means that they are doing so. our neighbors.
As the Roman world learned, the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformative. Its power transforms not only people but society as a whole.
It has always been done, and it will happen again if American Christians rise to the occasion.
