There have been a number of gloomy articles of late (gloomy
for me, at least) on the apparent decline of Christianity in our country. Church
attendance is plummeting and when the church hits the news it is often for the
wrong reasons. The Christian faith no longer shapes our culture and moral
outlook as it once did in this country. Yet, Richard Dawkins of all people
recently commented, ‘I have mixed feelings about the decline of Christianity, in
so far as Christianity might be a bulwark against something worse.’
In other words the arch-atheist has to admit that
Christianity is of at least some benefit to society. That is indeed the case.
The Christian faith asserts the unique value and dignity of each and every human
being and insists that all human beings should be loved and cared for from womb
to tomb. The belief that all human beings are made in the image of God has
spurned a host of causes that have let to the abolition of slavery, improved
working conditions, universal education and so on. Not to mention the impact of
the Bible on literature and the arts.
But all these things are by-products of the Christian faith.
The big thing is that God loves human beings and that he sent his Son into the
world as one of us that we may be forgiven and have hope in the face of death.
That’s why Jesus came, died on the cross and rose again from the dead. Those who
believe in him are called to follow him and put his teaching into practice. As
they do that at home, in the workplace, in the community, in our nation and on
the world’s stage, believers try and make a difference. However small that may
be.
It seems to be the case that many half-hearted churchgoers have given up on things here in the UK, but all is not lost. There are still millions of people at home and abroad whose lives have been transformed by knowing Jesus. His followers continue to devote their lives to serving him by helping others.
It seems to be the case that many half-hearted churchgoers have given up on things here in the UK, but all is not lost. There are still millions of people at home and abroad whose lives have been transformed by knowing Jesus. His followers continue to devote their lives to serving him by helping others.
To return to my question, ‘What’s the Christian faith ever
done for us?’ Quite a bit, actually. The key factor, however, is not that Christianity
may act as bulwark against negative elements in our society, but that it points
us to Jesus as the way, the truth, and the life. That's what it's all about.
*For February editions of News & Views and Trinity Magazine.
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