I think this is something to mourn, for several reasons.
One reason is that I'm a lifelong and fervent anglophile. I particularly have a soft-spot for the Church of England, as I wrote about here.
Another reason is that I think cultural Christianity is important. Christianity obviously has an elevating and ennobling influence on culture-- for instance, the Christian doctrine of the sanctity of life, or the importance of humility.
Cultural Christianity is also important for individual salvation. It spreads the net wider for potential converts. It makes any given person more likely to encounter Christianity.
Is there anything to be said on the other side? Now that Christianity has become a minority religion, might that be of benefit in some way? For instance, might it give the Christian faith the appeal of an "alternative lifestyle", something that is counter-cultural?
Probably. But I think this is outweighed by what has been lost.
Do some Christians get too hung up on the idea of "Christian cultures", to the extent that they seem to forget that Christ's kingdom is not of this world?
Yes, I think so. But that doesn't mean cultural Christianity isn't important.
It's a dark day. God grant that the tide turns soon.
Yes, it is a dark day, and I do worry about what lies ahead. It isn't obvious how the tide can be turned — apart from keeping the faith and passing it on.
ReplyDeleteNo, it isn't obvious how the tide can be turned, or IF it can. I read an essay about "slow evangelization" by Stratford Caldecott recently and I'm wondering if that's the approach we should take.
DeleteThat sounds very interesting. If you happen to remember where you read it, would you mind pointing it to me, please?
DeleteIt was in Second Spring issue sixteen. I can send you digital images if you'd like!
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