For almost two centuries large factions of Protestants have
championed Classical Liberalism and now like a Golem or Frankenstein monster
turning on its creator, the system is effectively at war with social and
religious nonconformity. By conflation, Classical Liberalism has eroded
Christian thought and Liberalism's failures have driven society in a
communitarian direction, even while retaining many liberal concepts and forms.
As a consequence Christians, who often held to communitarian positions
themselves are left imperiled and confused and their large-scale social
projects in the post-Enlightenment period have turned into something of a
nightmare.
My focus here has been on Britain and probably England in
particular and yet I wouldn't want any first-time reader to think for a moment
that other empires or nations are off-the-hook. Among the family of British
imperial progenies the United States stands alone and has surpassed its
progenitor in almost every aspect. It is Sodom on a grand scale both
spiritually and socially.
Once again I return to what I referred to as the Golden Age
of Nonconformity. Unsatisfactory to sacralist impulses, it was in reality an
ideal situation in which Christians were able to live and function in a
society. While not first-class citizens, they were nevertheless tolerated. In all
actuality that's the best we can hope for in this age and yet people were not
content.
To be fair, discontentment doesn't fully explain the dynamic.
What happened? The industrial revolution exploded in the 18th and 19th
centuries, turning society on its head. The resulting social crisis motivated
people to act but they used a cancer to kill a cancer and not only was Britain
left with a malignancy that would flourish in the wake of the World Wars, it
would infect the church. Poor Church leadership in both Britain and America
allowed the ethos of World War I to infect and wreak havoc within the Church.
This set the stage for Christian attitudes during the 2nd World War
and after.
Today there are many British and American evangelicals who (under
the auspices of Dominionism) are looking to turn back the liberal tide... both
social liberalism and even to a degree classical liberalism but they do so
appealing somewhat disingenuously to liberal values and communitarian minded
programmes of social change.
Liberal values are a tactic (for the present) to keep hanging
on to the cliff. But clearly the end-game is an abandonment of liberalism and a
return to a tradition based communitarian order of Christian dominion, a type
of neo-throne and altar traditionalism. This too is a dead end.
For all the attempts to change society it is the church that
has been changed. The Church's greatest enemies are not the politicians but the
Christian leaders who sow confusion and blend the Kingdom with the world, who
refuse the New Testament teaching regarding the Church's heavenly citizenship.
They have feasted on the blood-souls of millions and continue to destroy the
Church. And yet their message tickles the ears of the simple and pleases the
flesh. They promise prosperity, maybe not the tacky ostentatious variety
presented by American Charismatics but they promise security, respect, power
and a least a modicum of prosperity. These are values and concerns foreign to New
Testament thought. But of course it's all couched in moral terms, for the good
of society etc. And in the day to day life of the people in the pews, these are
the issues that seem most relevant and so they are easily taken in.
At best the Dominionists create a veneer that lasts for a
generation or two. Millions become Pharisees, outwardly moral figures but hypocritical
and hell-bound. Truth is mixed with error and the synthesis blesses and
condones many evils. And yet the cancer of worldliness grows and in the end the
destruction is far worse than any 'success' that was achieved.
And what success? Christian empires like Britain and America
become wealthy and powerful as they conquer lands, steal resources and
subjugate peoples. Sure along the way they suppress some pagan immorality and
the missionaries make some converts but this 'good' is all convoluted and
buried under the dung-pile of abomination and sinful criminality. It's nothing
to be proud of and in the end is destructive for both the world and for the
life and identity of the Church.
We're called to take up the cross but the zealots always make
it worse for those who are content to trust in providence and live in obedience.
The faithful suffer and most swallow many a bitter pill because of the
foolishness and sinful lusts of the zealots.
Until this message is heard the Church will remain divided
and continue turning to the sword .... and thus will die by it. We were warned
but have not listened.
See also: