All Comments for: Why Culture War May Never End | Christianity Today

Free Newsletters:

RSS Feeds |

Audio |

Twitter

Home > 2008 > March

Christianity Today, March, 2008 |

Why Culture War May Never End

Walter Russell Mead on the benefits of division.

Walter Russell Mead | posted 3/12/2008 08:44AM

Our society still looks a lot like the way British society looked in Queen Anne's reign in the early 18th century. You had the Puritans, the followers of Cromwell. They still believed that the English ...

[Reader Reviews]

Average User Rating:

Rate and Comment on this article

Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 comments.

Page: 1

Show All

Gerald

Posted: March 13, 2008 7:29 PM

I believe scripture does have answers to this issue. Jesus' response to the religious hierarchy that renders to Caesar that which is his and to God what is His shows that there must be a system of checks and balances. Knowing what domain belongs to God and which belongs to Caesar is the where the battle lies. Again, Joseph, Daniel, and Paul exhibit where the lines were and are to be drawn: Respect and allegiance to Caesar where he is given legitimacy to rule via God's provision and permission, and where he cannot violate God's domain with regards to moral and ethical concerns that are contrary to His nature and character. It is black and white. And in gray areas the Christian must exercise grace but always with God's character and will in mind. In this evil age, as was described by Jesus himself, we are to be guided by the Spirit of Truth--the Holy Spirit--along with His word. The true Christ follower cannot deviate from this path. The moral compass is set and Jesus is the Way.

Ted Voth Jr

Posted: March 13, 2008 4:56 PM

The 'Culture War' cannot end until Christ brings in the Kingdom in its physical manifestation. There are three enemies of the faith: the world, the flesh, and the devil. Modern synonyms for 'the world' include 'society, and, here, 'the Culture'. We will never win the 'Culture War'; we're not supposed to be fighting any 'culture war', Here in the world/society/culture we're supposed to have the Mind that was in Christ Jesus and display love, joy,peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, and self-control-- the Kingdom in a preliminary mystery form-- so people will see our good works and glorify God, and hopefully join us.

Jim Denton

Posted: March 12, 2008 9:11 PM

I dont believe we have to exert absolute control, but I believe it is wrong to turn a blind eye to injustice, suffering, crooked politicians, government overstepping it's authority over religious issues, the unneccesary slaughter of unborn children, being indifferent to a system that fly's in the face of our beliefs, which for some, not all people is easier than standing for what is right or wrong. I do believe we have a God given responsibility to be involved in politics, and our votes do make a difference the vast majority of the time.

Rick	Posted: March 12, 2008 2:40 PM


Sorry, Skip... responding to John W. in my previous post. Misread the names.

rick	Posted: March 12, 2008 2:33 PM


skip, your counterargument had credence until you descended into your own version of oversimplication. good to stop when you are ahead.

Tom Winfield

Posted: March 12, 2008 2:21 PM

The writer seems oblivious to the war between God and Satan for men's souls. He concludes that division in America may be best for us, failing to note that one side has fought for killing 50 million unborn babies since Roe v. Wade. Is that healthy, sir? One side wants carte blanche in running Amercan affairs without God butting in. Again, is that heathy, sir? Hmmmm... I hate to ask you this, but, Are you an intellectual egghead? Without spiritual bearings? Hmmmm....

Skip	Posted: March 12, 2008 1:31 PM


The Scripture does not teach us to seek to control of the governing body. The influence believers might exert should come from loving God, loving our neighbor, and showing the world how the community of believers should function.

Kim	Posted: March 12, 2008 12:47 PM

I wonder if Noah's society had someone saying the same thing? Did Lot's? We can't forget that while there is benefit to differing ideas and conversation, there's also evil. Evil is rampant. At what point does God say..."I've had enough with you people!" I think the thing that worries me about the issue is the polarization of people. It's as if many can't hear anyone but "their" side and there is no effort to be moderate or even respectful of difference. It's more and more an "us~them" situation. Not good.

JohnW

Posted: March 12, 2008 12:46 PM

Why do you need to use that demagogue Bill O’Reilley’s term, secular progressives? It’s the same thing as saying “Godless liberals”. There are christians who are not conservatives. Also, people of other faiths, as well as those with no faith, can be concerned about moral values too. Kiley, one could argue that a particular type of evangelicalism has been in control of atleast of our federal government these past seven years. The results have been less than "moral". We have had the most secretive administration in our history, a disdain for the rule of law (the constitution and international law), an illegal/immoral war, lack of concern for the environment, and a government seemingly only responsive to the needs of the wealthy and well connected. Oh, and abortion hasn't been outlawed either.

Kiley

Posted: March 12, 2008 12:13 PM


This is a strong argument ... but does it absolve us from our responsibility to drive for a God-centered culture? In other words, should evangelicals accept checks and balances, or should we strive for control?

Page: 1

E-mail this page

Write CT

Print this article

Post a comment