Post-Christian America

It was in the late 1980s when I read some of Charles Colson’s books on the turning of American “spirituality” into what he called (along with others) “post-Christian” America. What I appreciated about Colson at the time was I didn’t get a sense of hand ringing, but a path to how we shall live as believers in that environment.

As I read his work I found hope and did not mind planning how to live in this way as a believer.

Over time what happened was more hand ringing and weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth in “religious right” America. Instead of gearing up for what the Spirit could actually do in a new environment, the religious right dug in and demanded political change. (All after generations of preaching NOT to be involved in politics.)

If there was a “post Christian” America it was the fault of “the left.” Leftist radicals, Communists, Socialists, and the LGBTQ community.

The reality is this: We have indeed been in post Christian America for quite some time. It’s a fundamental shift and not always noticed in every place one would go in the U.S. It’s a fundamental reality.

Also the reality: The “religious right” is now as post Christian as the country. The “religious right” has abandoned all godly characteristics to favor bullies and misogynists and white supremacists who will come in and “beat up” the mean bullies on the “left.”

For all the hand ringing of stopping “post Christian” America from happening, it simply led to everyone becoming post Christian.

I am thankful for being deep in Hebrews right now in my Bible reading and study. I am reminded that in all of this my allegiance is not to a geo-political entity or to a political party. I am the immigrant passing through. I am looking for a city whose builder and maker is God. This is the hope I carry as I live with joy in whatever we want to call our current state of affairs in this culture.