Gospel upon a hill

Is it worthwhile to seek to redeem a culture? Winthrop, with his “city upon a hill” doctrine, apparently believes so. I wonder, however, if seeking to create a “Christian culture” is even desirable. As far as perfecting a culture goes – we know that that is unachievable. But should we, in good, christian perseverance and hope, dredge onward as far as we can go? Even if that be only the halfway point. Should we push through? Should we drag the culture as far as we can towards christianization as we can and then still pull, knowing that we will never arrive at the finish line?

I don't think so.

The world is not “Christian.” Allowing it to pretend to be isn't veracious and I doubt it is at all helpful. Perhaps the best thing that ever happened to western culture is that Nietzsche rained on our moral parade. No more pretending to have moral capital without moral foundations being allowed. No more operating off of “Christian” morals and pretending that Christianity has nothing to do with it. Take it or leave it.

I don't say this because I don't think it's good and helpful when people do the right thing even when they don't have any kind of rational reason for doing so. I think they should. As Dr. Hake says, pagans are often better than their worldview. I hope they continue to be. Yet, I also believe that the line between paganism and christianity is as stark as the line tearing the veil in two. And seeking to blur that line only blinds the world to the fact that it exists.

As an alternative, perhaps we should instead try to create a culture that loves beauty and good when it sees it, rather than a culture that pretends to be good when it isn't.

 A city with the Gospel upon a hill.

- Sarah Betts, Junior, Fall 2012