Christmas in a Negative World
If there was ever a season for the Christmas Gospel to shine upon the world, it is now as the moral fiber of Christ's Church is losing its fervor. We need a Gospel that overcomes the negative world.
Sociologist Aaron Renn observes that the world has undergone three major transitions in how people consider the Christian faith. Before 1994, we lived in a positive world. In those days, to be known as a Christian and churchgoer was seen as a good thing; before 1994, there was a general agreement that the Church was good for the world.
From 1994 to 2014, we moved from a positive world to a neutral world. In the neutral world, the Church no longer has the privileged position in society, but it’s just one option among many others. Jesus is seen among other gods; not more special, nor less, but of the same value.
And then we come to our day: the negative world. If you look around, it has become evident that being a Christian is a social negative. Subscribing to Christian morals violates the secular moral order. So, in a negative world, you need to play hush-hush. Don’t say too much, or you will get fired. Just play nice, and you can still go to church on Sundays, but then make sure to leave your religiosity there before you come home.
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