Post-Christian Culture, The Christian Message, and Authority

Much has been made, which I have largely supported, that the message of Christ is more effectively communicated through the medium of the love that non-believers can see in the body of Christ—flawed and sinful followers of Christ learning to love one another and the world. What I’ve recently been confronted with is that while this may be the most attractive medium for the good news of Jesus to be spread, the fact is that the good news is inherently a message involving AUTHORITY.

I’ve come across two articles recently that have made me think more about this (1) an interview with John Stott in Christianity Today’s 50 Year Anniversary issue and (2) an article by Tim Keller called “Destructing Defeater Beliefs”.

Both of these men admit that a community of Christians learning to love well is a critical component for post-modern evangelism:

“People say [its] wonderful [that Christ made the invisible God visible], but that was 2,000 years ago. So in 1 John 4:12, he begins with exactly the same formula, nobody has ever seen God. But here John goes on, ‘If we love one another, God abides in us.’ The same invisible God who once made himself visible in Jesus now makes himself visible in the Christian community, if we love one another. And all the verbal proclamation of the gospel is of little value unless it is made by a community of love.” John Stott

“Many books on reaching post-moderns today give the impression that people now need virtually no arguments at all. The 'apologetic' is a loving community, or the embodiment of social concern. I couldn't agree more that post-modern people come to Christ through process, through relationships, though mini-decisions, through 'trying Christianity on'.” Tim Keller

However, authority is an issue that cannot be overlooked, and will remain a challenging barrier for all who come to Christ (as it is still for those of us in the “hard knocks” school of walking with Christ). In other words, even though authentic Christian community marked by love can be attractive to people, any who claims to follow this Savior, the Lamb who was slain, will ultimately run up against the
rock hard wall of the Lion of David demanding their allegiance. The Christian life is not only entrance into an embracing, empathetic, and forgiving community, but a vow of allegiance to a very unpredictable (from our point of view) Absolute Sovereign, a King who demands that we sign every asset we think we own, including our time, money, future, etc., over to Him.

When I teach my students about Political Philosophy, I point out to them that there are fundamentally two kinds of political philosophers. Those who believe that there is a Truth that governs the universe, to which we would do well to pay attention when we structure our political societies and those who discard such a possibility. From the latter perspective, the former is a closed view of the universe while theirs is an open one.

Essentially what is being said by thinkers like Nietzsche, Foucault and others, is that we humans should not confine ourselves within an unchanging view of the universe, but pursue infinite possibilities with our creative talents. While this sounds quite liberating, if there is a Truth in the universe, it is quite foolish. Perhaps it is appealing just because of our inherent desire to avoid the issue of Authority “like the plague”. It provides people with a very attractive and seemingly reasonable approach to life. It seems a compelling rationale for discarding the older, worn out, and oppressive views of the past (i.e., Christianity).

For people living with such post-Christian views, a genuinely caring community of Christians can be attractive. After all, as a liberated individual, I do not have to buy into all the non-sense about “Christ is the ONLY way” to appreciate the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings and enjoy the camaraderie of Christian community. But, at some point, if I am truly to walk with Christ, I will have to face the reality that this faith is not merely a place to belong, like finding my own version of the TV show “Friends”. In other words, I cannot become a Christian on my own terms. Jesus leaves no such option available. As Keller discusses, I am not the Authority the defines my faith, rather, Christ will demand that He is the Authority that defines my faith:

“What then of the claim that 'post-modern people don't want arguments – they just want to see if it works for them'? All right – as with any form of contextualization, let us as evangelists enter – adapt partially – to the culture of expressive individualism. Let us show them the reality of changed lives. Let us use narratives rather than long strings of logic. But at some point you must also challenge the sovereignty of individual consciousness. Jesus is Lord, not my personal consciousness. At some point, the idea that "it is true if and only if it works for me" must be challenged.” Tim Keller

This is not only true for those examining the Christian message. We too, as followers of Christ, must recognize that it is far too easy to fall into the trap that we define our own personal version of Christianity. Jesus will consistently confront us when we do so, if we are paying attention, and will consistently demand our allegiance. What we must remember, however, is that while our Savior is an “untame Lion” who does not fall under our control nor always lead us on easy paths, He is good...