War on Christianity

Last month, there was a “War on Christians Conference” in Washington, DC. Speakers like Tom DeLay, Phyllis Schlafly, Alan Keyes and others explored the ways in which our secular society has aligned itself against historic Christianity. At the conference, Tom Delay complained that our modern American society “treats Christianity like some second rate superstition.” I’m sure there have been times when we have all felt like this is the case. How many books, movies and televisions shows portray people of faith in a positive light? When a character is portrayed as a Christian, you can pretty well count on them being a homicidal maniac.

But is it the case that Christians really are a persecuted minority? Expectedly, guys like Jay Leno and Bill Maher have had fun lampooning that suggestion. Others have suggested, perhaps rightly, that using the word “persecution” in the context of the culture wars, is a disservice to martyrs of the past and present who have indeed paid for their faith with their lives or freedom. One Christian professor said that this skirmish over religious pluralism shows a “spoiled-brat response by Christians who have always enjoyed the privilege of being a majority position.”

You know, he may be right. We are blessed to live in a country where we can participate in self government. We can vote and us our vote to reflect our values of faith and morality. And it is true that many of the principles behind the foundation of our country were informed by Christian faith. But it has never been true that we were a “Christian nation.” Christianity by its very nature is counter-cultural. The call of Christ is to transcend the values of the culture to seek the kingdom of God. The Sermon on the Mount, at least in part, is counter-cultural to the focus of the American dream. The call of the cross is counter-cultural to the American emphasis on person liberty and freedom. In order to follow the Christ, we must follow Him outside the camp of culture. The Hebrew writer says, “Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.” (Hebrews 13:13-14)

In his Attack on Christendom, Kierkegaard suggests, "If everyone is a Christian, then no one is a Christian." If Christianity fits seamlessly into the culture in which he live, then likely it is not really Christianity. Is there a war on Christianity today? Sure. There always has been! Sometimes Satan’s real attack is in getting us to think that faith should easily fit into our world.