On Cultural Wars and Christian Witness

In a recent interview Marilynne Robinson was asked how Christians should respond to the writings of the new atheists. She replied:

Christianity should be itself. Christians acting like Christians would be the most effective possible evidence for the truth of what they profess. And here I am referring to the Sermon on the Mount, to Matthew 25 — those hard teachings that run so strongly against the impulses toward judgmentalism and exclusivism that assert themselves whenever any group decides to feel threatened. If Christians believe what they claim to believe, that the church is the body of Christ, how can they think any "culture wars" are necessary to its survival?

I believe there is much truth in this sentiment, both generally and specifically for our postmodern moment. Our greatest challenge today is not merely the philosophical defense of Christianity, but the witness of the living Christ with our own lives. 


Postmodernity is much more interested in authenticity than in the truthfulness of various metanarratives. There are advantages and disadvantages to this obsession with authenticity, but why not run with it? While not abandoning truth, let's so live as followers of Christ to prove that the gospel provides the basis for the most authentic individual, intellect, community, and society. 


I believe the gospel does this, and I want to spend my life proving it.