This will be a cheap blog post in that I am encouraging you to read this other blog post instead of mine. There, James Wood helpfully articulates the shift that many of us have experienced over the last 5-6 years since the Western world (in particular, in America) has become what can be called a "negative world." In the negative world, Christianity is no longer seen by the culture as an "eccentric lifestyle option among many" (to quote Wood), but as the problem from which there needs to be cultural evolution. In other words, Christianity used to just be there as a part of society, but now it is viewed as the problem from which society needs delivered.
Such a shift has meant that committed (and culturally engaged) Christians have had to make a decision about how to stay engaged. Many of us have felt forced to adopt a position that holds that the once-beloved winsome third-way-ism of giants like Tim Keller (still one of my favorite preachers) is less and less plausible. We have therefore had to take harder and more dogmatic-sounding stances because we feel that if we don't, that which we have stood for in the Lord will be lost. While we have not wanted to "return evil for evil" (Rom. 12:17, 1 Pet. 3:9), we also know that there are times when the threat requires a tonality and lucidity that other moments don't (as with Jesus in Matt. 23 and Paul in Galatians).
Therefore, many of us have lost friends or at least experienced a widening gap with some friends over such stark differences in outlook regarding cultural issues. For example, I have challenged many of my Christian friends who seem have an ax to grind against conservative Christians for behaving in ways that turn non-Christians off. I don't think that such a criticism from my Christian friends is ever unwarranted--sometimes it's very warranted--but I think that their anger toward conservative Christians is often misguided. While some in the world reject a warped faith that needs challenged, others in the world, that is, most worldly people, would reject Jesus if he showed up in the flesh right in front of them, with his eyes and hands of love.
So, many of us have been so blessed by the type of spirit that Keller employs in ministry, because it was important in bringing us to faith. But we've come to see that we've shifted into a different cultural moment that requires a different type of engagement; in particular, a moment that requires clarity, lucidity, and insistence on the truth. Wood, in his essay, helpfully clarifies why we have shifted, and he does so in a way that is respectful toward those worthy of respect.
Finally, let me encourage you if you have time to watch or listen to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' interviews on British and Welsh radio/TV in the late 1960s and 70s. MLJ saw a similar cultural shift happening in England in his post-parish ministry years, and he was willing and ready to engage and be engaged on matters of faith and their place in public life. But he was insistent, clear, and convicted. Here is one interview that is done in black and white, and in which the Doctor explains more of his testimony toward the beginning (for those unfamiliar). In this one, he is interviewed by Dame Joan Bakewell, and I think that this interview was broadcast more widely. Note in both cases how the Doctor is clear and convicted while also being gracious and kind. I think we can learn a lot from the Doctor.
I'm also thankful for all I've learned from Keller.
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