Behind the idea of Christendom is the matter of interpretive filters for your history. When it comes to evaluating whether things are getting better, whether they are staying the same, or getting worse, we will make that call in the grip of our foundational assumptions. Under the category of staying the same, we would also …
Facing Up the Down Escalator
Let us begin with a simple categorization. Technology is a form of wealth. Progress is a form of wealth. This helps us get our bearings as Christians, because we should now know what to watch out for. If we were to look up “technology” in a concordance, we would find that the Bible teaches us …
As Sort of a Globo-Joke
The attendance of Constantine at the Council of Nicea was striking, but more striking than that was the existence of such a subversive council in the first place, and with an emperor’s knowledge and blessing. More about that in a moment. It is often said that in his conversion Constantine was only seeking a unifying …
A Different Kind of Spine
The proposed Ground Zero mosque provides us with a wonderful case study of public square issues, and of the great need for a new Christendom. And since the opportunities in this situation to gain wisdom are enormous, it is not surprising that just about everybody is refusing to do so. The “hallowed ground” meme has, …
This Approach, Wise I Don’t Think
I like Hugh Hewitt. I have enjoyed one of his books, and his web site is a good go-to place for a discussion of some of the nuts and bolts of the political battles we are in. He does good work. But . . . But here is an example of why my concerns (expressed …
A Shoe Box in the Attic
In the previous mere Christendom thread, an important question was asked about my willingness to work together with secularist conservatives in pursuit of shared “common sense” goals. And the answer is that I would be fully willing, sure — if the secularists get spooked at the size of the national deficit, and turn off the …
The Dregs of the Last Christendom
Former House speaker Newt Gingrich has given an important speech on the threat posed to us by Sharia law and the encroachments of Islamic fundamentalism. He was right to do so, but like so many, the ground where he wants to stand in this fight is ground that gives way under his feet. Sharia law …
From the Balconies of Heaven
So I have been using the phrase mere Christendom. What does the mere mean? First we need to address what it does not mean. It does not mean Christendom Lite. It does not mean “faith-based” civilization, the same way you might have faith-based soup kitchens, with the content of the faith being diluted enough to …
The Rough Edges of Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, and Constantine
In his last chapter, “Toward a New City Commons,” Hunter takes Jer. 29:4-7 as his key text, wherein the Jews in exile were told to seek the peace of the city they would inhabit for a time. “Clearly it would have been justifiable for the Jews to be hostile to their captors. It also would …
Plays Well With Others Leadership
Hunter says many things that sound quite good, and it is not surprising that he has gotten good reviews from around the Reformed and evangelical world. After all, what Kuyperian could take issue with this? “In short, faithful presence in practice is the exercise of leadership in all spheres and all levels of life and …