Politics
has its place in the life of mankind, but these words of Deacon Haralambos are
worth thinking upon ne’ertheless:
Today we face much
cultural turmoil and seemingly unreconcilable differences. Our discourse often
becomes harsh and even hate filled. It seems we have lost a Christ centeredness
in our lives. We seem to be trying to solve our cultural value issues thinking
we can change it through political ends. We use social media to spew out our
differing opinions thinking that this will make a difference. But history
clearly tells us changing a culture is not so easily done.
Is it possible that
Christians today have taken the wrong track in putting their energies into
political action and social media? When we engage in these arenas don’t we
become one with the culture we don’t like. Do we act in a way that exhibits the
life and teachings of our Savior? Our actions do not communicate an alternative
to the present potpourri of ideas and values. Sociologist James Davidson Hunter
demonstrates that political action has never been the cause of cultural shifts
even though some good things can happen in this way. More often it leads to
oppression of minority views, more division and greater discord. If we truly
want to bring Christ back to the center of our lives, a different approach is
necessary.
We are creatures of God
called to something much higher than life in this world, the Kingdom of Heaven.
To reach this kingdom, Scripture makes it clear, we must become continually
better at living like Jesus Christ and become an active participant in a true
compassionate faith community. To achieve our God given calling and make a
difference in this world, our lived life in our faith community must be
different from the general society.
This view is clearly
spelled out by the acclaimed sociologist Dr James Davison Hunter in his book,
To Change The World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the
Late Modern World. I suggest you read it.
He writes,
“Contemporary Christian
understandings of power and politics are a very large part of what has made
contemporary Christianity in America appalling, irrelevant, and
ineffective—part and parcel of the worst elements of our late-modern culture
today, rather than a healthy alternative to it.” Pg 94
. . .
The
whole article is over at http://www.pravmir.com/culture-wars-can-christianity-change-the-world/
.
--
Holy Ælfred the Great, King of England,
South Patron, pray for us sinners at the Souð,
unworthy though we are!
Anathema to the Union!
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