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    by Fred Price

A Godless Christianity
Date Posted: January 5, 2018

John Meacham is politically and religiously a dyed-in-the-wool liberal. He is also highly intelligent and very well-spoken. I’ve seen him interviewed on television and read a commentary he wrote on an article featured in Newsweek Magazine when it was still in publication; I’ve also read one of his published works titled, “American Gospel.” 1 In the one he was belligerent and condescending; in the other, he did indeed question the impact faith had on our founding fathers attempt at establishing a country based on democratic ideals, but raised a number of valid points as well.

Sometime after that, he wrote a feature article for Newsweek proclaiming, “The Decline and Fall of Christian America”. But despite his attempt at sensationalism, he again actually makes a number of good points worthy of consideration. In it he claims that he doesn’t believe faith should be removed from the lives or political activities of people of faith – just restricted. (Which should justifiably set off alarm bells.) But his definition of faith and faithfulness is certainly different from that of many of us who believe God’s word should impact our thoughts and behavior on every level.

He begins by citing a number of polls that indicate a lessening of Christian thought across the country, even in places considered strongholds of faith for centuries.2To his credit, Mr. Meacham uses R. Albert Mohler Jr. – president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary – as a counter-point to his own opinions; Mr. Mohler’s view being that, “A remarkable culture-shift has taken place around us (as) the more basic contours of American culture have been radically altered. The so-called Judeo-Christian consensus has given way to a post-modern, post-Christian, post-western cultural crisis which threatens the very heart of our culture.” But does being less Christian in principle mean America is beyond the influence of the Christian gospel? Not when one third of all Americans still claim to be born-again. (Post-Christian at times merely characterizing a period of time – which there have been several throughout our history – where Christian thought has declined in importance in a region of the country or society as a whole; only to be retaken for Christ as a result of the diligent sharing of the gospel by men and women of faith who take seriously the call to, “…go and make disciples...” Matthew 28:28)

Mr. Meacham maintains that, “While we remain a nation decisively shaped by religious faith, our politics and our culture are, in the main, less influenced by movements and arguments of an explicitly Christian character than they were even five years ago.” Which he believes to be a good thing for our politics and our churches. Politics being, “…complex and charged enough without trying to compel or coerce religious belief or observance.” (Which I don’t believe most of us really try to do.) He further asserts that many Christians are, “…rediscovering the virtues of a separation of church and state…” Which is at least in part true, as many people of faith have begun to realize their over-dependence on political solutions to social issues that seem so daunting and resistant to change; confusing conservative politics with Christian principles.

Mr. Meacham continues by stating, “As crucial as religion has been and is to the life of the nation, America’s unifying force has never been a specific faith, but a commitment to freedom – not least freedom of conscience. At our best, we single religion out for neither particular help nor harm; we have historically treated faith-based arguments as one element among many in the republican sphere of debate and discussion.” In the main, a reasonable point. For some, however, the very act of not promoting religion becomes a tool whereby it is subverted and its adherents silenced. The ultimate outcome being found in an attempt to establish a “Godless Christianity”, a movement whose roots can be traced back to Kierkegaard and Nietzsche. Tom Altizer, a religion professor at Emory University and a key member of this movement explaining that a post-Christian era would be one in which, “…both Christianity and religion itself are unshackled from their previous historical grounds.” Which really means divorcing ourselves from the history, heritage, and faith of God’s word. Essentially inaugurating a new belief-system that holds religion as nothing more than the feelings and experiences of individuals who have the right to declare whatever they choose as divine.3 Not so much a declaration that, ‘God is dead’ as an assertion that there are many “gods” leading to the same place; Heaven, Nirvana, Paradise, etc.

Mr. Mohler counters that this belief-system, “…offers spirituality, however defined, without binding authority… (being) based on our understanding of history that presumes a less tolerant past and a more tolerant future…” The present being nothing more than a transitional stage to a system more acceptable to a larger number of people. The inherent danger being the loss of moral bearing that has exerted an undeniable and incalculable influence on western culture. The result being, “As those moral teachings fade into cultural memory, a secularized morality takes their place.” A case in point being Western Europe, whose memory of its Christian founding has faded, its citizens growing resistant to Christian influence even as they emphasize a vague set of Christian “ideals.”

Check back next week for more on our supposed emergence into an ideal, secularized society.

1Random House Publishing

2American Religious Identification Survey – by the Pew Forum

3From William James’ book – The Varieties of Religious Experience

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Biography Information:

Fred Price - married (50 years), father of two grown children, grandfather of six.

Fred retired earlier this year after 42 years as a factory worker.  He has always had a heart for young people and the challenges they face today.  Over the years Fred has taught Discipleship Groups for High School and college students.  

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