 |
Photo: Wales, trekearth.com
The Christian Church And Social Evils
I slightly edited sections from my PhD
and added material. This shows my perspective written in a moderate liberal to
liberal secular department at Wales by a Christian moderate conservative.
Churches are Losing the Battle Against Social Evils
The societal move from modernity to post-modernism would demonstrate that the Church is in many cases losing the battle against social evils because of decreased influence.[1] However, the Christian Church is a very large, multi-faceted group of smaller churches and it would take a major academic study outside of the depths of this one (my PhD), to conclusively answer this question, but cultural trends point towards a decline of influence of the Christian Church in the Western world.[2] Hal N. Ostrander (2004), Chair of the Religion & Philosophy Division at Brewton-Parker College in Washington State,[3] writes that in today’s post-Christian era and society, Christians will face cultural and intellectual challenges to the faith.[4] The Church is in a defensive position where it needs to defend a faith, not accepted by most in Western society.[5]
Church Attitudes are Influenced by Society
Elaine Graham (2000)(2007) writes that in a post-modern age of uncertainty,[6] many of the foundations of Western society are dissolving.[7] Graham reasons there needs to be new ways of looking at Christian practice and the understanding of Divine reality[8] which feature the use of empathy and solidarity with others.[9] For some on the liberal, progressive side of Christianity, secular society can perhaps offer some practical, theological improvements to the historic faith.[10] Therefore this question may be answered with agreement and yet viewed as a positive occurrence.[11] Traditionalists such as Lindsell, will view any move within the Christian Church away from Biblical teaching as a negative (my view as well).[12] Lindsell provides the opinion that many Christian institutions have slowly over time moved away from orthodox, Biblical theology and have gone astray.[13] Some from the conservative perspective, who answered this question in the affirmative, may view secular influence on the Church as leading it into error.[14]
A philosophical explanation in regard to the problem of evil may solve intellectual problems, but may not assist with many of the everyday consequences of evil. This is where pastoral care and practical theology is important. It is important and essential for the Biblical, Christian Church today to remain just that, Biblical with the proper use of context and academic tools. Prayer, fellowship, witness and mission also being vital.
But at the same time, love is essential for those in society that do not agree with Christian views, as in loving one’s neighbour (Mathew 22, Mark 12, Luke 10) and so disagreements with Christian worldview, secular and other on social issues should be handled in a loving and not overly confrontational or overly politicized manner.
The call to make disciples in Matthew 28 in the world, which includes other worldviews, such as secular, continues even while there are very significant issues and differences at times in the area of social issues.
GRAHAM, ELAINE (2000)(2007) ‘Practical Theology as Transforming Practice’, in James Woodward and Stephen Pattison (eds.), The Blackwell Reader in Pastoral and Practical Theology, Oxford, Blackwell Publishing.
LNDSELL, HAROLD (1976) The Battle for the Bible, Grand Rapids, Zondervan Publishing House.
OSTRANDER, HAL N. (2004) ‘Defending the faith in a post-Christian era’, in The Christian Index, Duluth, Georgia, The Christian Index. http://www.christianindex.org/206.article
VEITH, GENE EDWARD, JR. (1994) Postmodern
Times, Wheaton Illinois, Crossway Books.
[1] Veith (1994: 27-46).
[2] Veith
(1994: 27-46). Ostrander (2004: 1).
[3] Ostrander
(2004: 1).
[4] Ostrander
(2004: 1).
[5] Ostrander
(2004: 1).
[6] Graham
(2000)(2007: 106).
[7] Graham
(2000)(2007: 106).
[8] Graham
(2000)(2007: 106).
[9] Graham
(2000)(2007: 106).
[10] Graham
(2000)(2007: 106).
[11] Graham
(2000)(2007: 106).
[12] Lindsell
(1976: 185).
[13] Lindsell
(1976: 185).
[14] Lindsell (1976: 185).
---
