Seems to me that there is considerable overlap in ideas between Steven Wolfe's Christian Nationalism (coming from a theistic viewpoint) and Richard Dawkins cultural Christianity (coming from an atheistic viewpoint). Both like the points where Christian assumptions support their preferences /intuitions for the common good. But both seem to miss the point that cruciformity - Jesus on the cross, God's power through weakness, sacrificial non-coercive love - and voluntary allegiance to that reality - is essential to maintaining the power and efficacy of those assumptions. You can't take out the pieces you like and hope enough others share your emotional preference for them (Dawkins) or try to coerce the bits you like from those who don't share the allegiance (Wolfe) and think that you can create anything stable for the common good.
So thankful for the reality of a universe with a loving and compassionate God who shows us the way life ought to be and calls us to live out that way of life. And I’m thankful not just because God reminds us not to throw old ladies in front of buses but that is a definite plus.
It just occurred to me that cultural Christians like Dawkins are a fairly minor problem, all things considered. The cultural Anglicans who seem to have lost their fear of God entirely are folks (barring a couple), such as the the Anglican Church of Australia's Appellate Tribunal. This might seem like a harsh judgement until you read one of their written judgements (you can probably guess the one I am referring to, circa November 2020).
I wish I could share the article on Facebook! It was excellent. On the other hand, I think we can go beyond the last paragraph: There are strong reasons to believe a personal God exists and Jesus did in fact rise from the dead!
My favourite line "My question for Dawkins is “What are the symbols for ‘Mercy’ and ‘Compassion’ on the periodic table?”" Brilliant Mike! Of course we have all known Dawkins has been a cultural Anglican for ages.
Seems to me that there is considerable overlap in ideas between Steven Wolfe's Christian Nationalism (coming from a theistic viewpoint) and Richard Dawkins cultural Christianity (coming from an atheistic viewpoint). Both like the points where Christian assumptions support their preferences /intuitions for the common good. But both seem to miss the point that cruciformity - Jesus on the cross, God's power through weakness, sacrificial non-coercive love - and voluntary allegiance to that reality - is essential to maintaining the power and efficacy of those assumptions. You can't take out the pieces you like and hope enough others share your emotional preference for them (Dawkins) or try to coerce the bits you like from those who don't share the allegiance (Wolfe) and think that you can create anything stable for the common good.
Michelle, yes, points of overlap, the Christianity is merely a tool to prop up something else.
You packed a lot into this one, Michael. Excellent.
My pleasure!
So thankful for the reality of a universe with a loving and compassionate God who shows us the way life ought to be and calls us to live out that way of life. And I’m thankful not just because God reminds us not to throw old ladies in front of buses but that is a definite plus.
It just occurred to me that cultural Christians like Dawkins are a fairly minor problem, all things considered. The cultural Anglicans who seem to have lost their fear of God entirely are folks (barring a couple), such as the the Anglican Church of Australia's Appellate Tribunal. This might seem like a harsh judgement until you read one of their written judgements (you can probably guess the one I am referring to, circa November 2020).
I wish I could share the article on Facebook! It was excellent. On the other hand, I think we can go beyond the last paragraph: There are strong reasons to believe a personal God exists and Jesus did in fact rise from the dead!
My favourite line "My question for Dawkins is “What are the symbols for ‘Mercy’ and ‘Compassion’ on the periodic table?”" Brilliant Mike! Of course we have all known Dawkins has been a cultural Anglican for ages.