Christendom: To Be or Not to Be?

On the BaptistAP website their is an opinion column by David P. Gushee on Post-Christendom Christianity in the United States. Are we moving to Post-Christendom and if so, how do we react to it? Do we allow the change to happen looking for a marginalized but more pure form of Christianity or do we fight it politically as so many are doing today?

He has some great quotes to consider:

"The claim is that we are moving from a legally-disestablished-but-culturally-established Christianity to a society that is post-Christian. Whether it will turn out to be characterized by an established secularism or a multi-hued religious pluralism remains to be seen."

"Should Christians resist this transition to post-Christendom America? Most Christian social activists are busy resisting it with all their might. The politically active members of the conservative Christian community are attempting to reverse every trend discussed thus far. Even more moderate or liberal Christians who engage the public square can be viewed as sharing in the same essential presupposition: that Christians are responsible for advancing their moral values in politics and culture. They just have a different set of moral priorities."

"The post-Christendom crowd is in a different place. They are rejecting the very concept that the job of Christians is to advance their moral values in public life or especially in politics. Post-Christendom advocates seem to be motivated by different strands of thinking. Some tend toward a classic Radical Reformation sectarianism and the principled withdrawal of the church from the culture. Some operate with a theology of the kingdom or of salvation that leaves them with the conclusion that the church, because it is pursuing a different kingdom, has no business engaging in any nation’s political activities or debates."

We are to be in the world. We are to be light in the darkness. We are being sent by Christ "to open [the eyes of the lost] so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me." We should vote, but should we fight or work so hard for political ends that do truly make the lost feel marginalized? Not that we shouldn't suppport such measures. We should vote, but should we picket and demonstrate publicly for the passing of amendments that publicly condemn those who are lost? Again, we should support such amendments.

Here is my point and the point of many others: Legislation does not create holiness. Only the regeneration by the Spirit will bring holiness. Legislation will only cause more do's and don't's but not holiness. Maybe we should stop picketing and start developing relationships with the ones we are picketing against?