Church For The Broken World: The Call To Christian Influence [Mike Writes]
In a series of posts, Mike Betts and John Raspin join together to help us connect more deeply with Christianity’s legacy of social reform, and examine how believers can thrive in our diverse, yet unified, mission to transform the world.
Mike Betts: I write this during a period of anticipation when people hope for change but can’t shake the feeling that everything will remain the same. We are fast approaching a UK election.
As a Western nation, we’re not alone in facing some pretty scary giants. Mounting national debt, underfunded infrastructures, rising disparity between rich and poor, and loss of national cohesion (and perhaps identity) have descended upon the West. Unprecedented technological advances and moral decline are a troubling mix that is rapidly growing. If this wasn’t enough, global warming, mass migration, and military conflict affect and interconnect every nation, transforming the world stage into a rather turbulent arena.
The book of Ecclesiastes reassures us that, although the world appears to be constantly changing…evolving…progressing, it will always grapple with the same issues. As Jay Kiros puts it, “There are no new problems, just better, more creative packaging for old ones.” For example, we have seen the rise of hyper-left liberalism and far-right extremism, but these are not new categories; they are repeats, or shadows, of what has come before.
We’ve been here before…
A cursory look back through history shows us that embracing either position has always led to catastrophe. A recent trip to Auschwitz reinforced this conviction. The depth and potential for sin should humble us before God and impart an awareness that personal salvation or improvement isn’t possible without help from the Saviour of the world. The reality is, and this won’t surprise you, we all urgently need Jesus.
One of our major and consistent messages has been “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). Our desire has always been to equip church members to be effective witnesses in their daily lives, but if there were ever a time to live this out with concerted effort, it is now. In his work Letters and Papers from Prison, Dietrich Bonhoeffer said: “The Church is the Church only when it exists for others...not dominating, but helping and serving. It must tell men of every calling what it means to live for Christ, to exist for others.” These words help us to realise that the gospel is supposed to transform society and that Christians are called to be agents of positive change.
Revivals of the past almost always produce an overflow of blessings to wider society. Alan Kreider’s The Patient Ferment of the Early Church talks about the unfolding impact that Christian influence had on ancient society as the church grew in number. The pattern is clear: on becoming a Christ follower, people’s lives and what they care about change to reflect their newfound faith – in turn communities, societies, and whole nations benefit.
We must ask the Lord to help us!
And help us, He will.
“The pattern is clear: on becoming a Christ follower, people’s lives and what they care about change to reflect their newfound faith – in turn communities, societies, and whole nations benefit.”
Effecting change
Galatians 6:10 reads: “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” (NIV). This verse has been somewhat of a mantra for the great societal reformers of the past. It has driven many believers to bless God’s people, and society more broadly, with their numerous skills and talents. Unsurprisingly, it continues to have the same influence today.
Some of you might remember when Dr Bob Roberts spoke to the gathered Relational Mission family at The Call 2023 conference about the operating systems of the world. He described them as the eight domains of society: agriculture and water, social and civil society, education, arts and media, science and technology, governance, medicine, and economics. (If you haven’t heard it, Bob’s stirring word is well worth a watch.)
The ‘domains’ function as a wonderful set of reference points that help us to conceptualise the historical and current application of Galatians 6:10.
Olaudah Equiano (c. 1745-1797) was an author, pioneer in Britain’s abolitionist movement, and former slave. He was led by a deeply held conviction of God’s presence and guidance.
Christians have consistently been at the forefront of innovation, political reform, and philanthropic activity. Christians have always sought to improve people's lives, and it is now time for a resurgence. Here are some initial questions to get us thinking about that all-important aspect of Christian teaching–application:
What’s my vocation?
Which domain does my work fall under?
What has God gifted me to do in my daily work?
How can I honour God through my work for the benefit of society?
A force for good, and here to stay
We believe the church can play a massive role in working for the common good, but evangelicalism is beginning to experience increased hostility and rejection. Evangelicals are seen as marginal, irrelevant, and bigoted. Yet we are called to serve people, even if they don’t like us. I recently had the opportunity to express this view to a shadow minister. I underlined the ancient notion that the church is here to serve the nation, and even if legislation is passed that inhibits us from practising our faith, we will still serve.
It’s who we are!
“Just like the Israelites were in the habit of reflecting on the Exodus narrative when they faced opposition, we too must take stock of our rich heritage.”
The growth of disbelief in our nation can be disheartening, but just like the Israelites were in the habit of reflecting on the Exodus narrative when they faced opposition, we too must take stock of our rich heritage. We too must refresh our knowledge of God’s love for His people and society, as well as the role we play in seeing His grace and mercy flood our towns, cities, and nations.
Over the next few months, I will be collaborating with John Raspin to elaborate on how Christianity has influenced the domains of society throughout history and into the modern day. The goal will be to encourage believers to stand strong in the face of opposition, to be stirred by the example of those who have gone before us, and to urge the use of our God-given gifts to bless those around us.
Now I want to hand it over to John for a few more thoughts on the subject…
John Raspin: Firstly, let me express what an honour it is to work with Mike on this project. After studying the early modern period for nearly a decade, I too have become increasingly convinced that Christianity has a rich history of positive impact.
I want to paint a brief historical picture that will complement and flesh out some of the themes that Mike has introduced.
Is the Church on the losing side?
We are often told that Christianity is declining in the West. In some ways, it’s true. Church attendance in both the UK and the USA is at an all-time low, and Christianity is viewed as outdated and unreasonable by wider culture.
According to numerous academics and popular thinkers, this decline began at the closing of the seventeenth century. As Enlightenment thinkers such as Voltaire, Rousseau, and Hume made it their mission to oppose hypocritical religious institutions and cultures of exploitation, the great Age of Reason elevated rationalism and empiricism above faith and the supernatural, and the ‘modern’ idea of individual liberty undermined the teaching of religious authorities.
It was these values, among others, that the New Atheists embraced in their attempts to disparage Christianity and undermine its cultural influence. In the aftermath of 9/11, books like The God Delusion and God is Not Great challenged the notion that God is real or good and sold millions of copies.
The ‘Four Horsemen’ of New Atheism: Christopher Hitchens, Daniel Dennett, Richard Dawkins and Sam Harris
Surviving opposition
Many of my friends have recited the secular fundamentalist arguments of the ‘Four Horsemen’ in an attempt to dismantle what I believe. These New Atheists hold a special place in my heart and, if I’m honest, many elements of faith are wrapped up in so much mystery that I understand how most struggle to take Christianity seriously. What my friends fail to grasp, however, is that my faith is based on a relationship with the living God, not a critique of a religious system’s pros and cons.
Fortunately, my faith has remained intact and has grown stronger over the years I have followed Christ. When I have fallen He has always picked me up. And nothing I have experienced has melted my heart more than the sacrifice Christ demonstrated at Calvary. He truly is worth my all!
“If I’m honest, many elements of faith are wrapped up in so much mystery that I understand how most struggle to take Christianity seriously. ”
Whilst much can be said (and has been said!) about the lack of nuance and theological expertise that characterised the arguments of Dawkins, Hitchens, Harris, and Dennett, their message was effective. Many began to deconstruct their faith, subscribing to the belief that Christianity, along with its God, was irrelevant and unnecessary.
We know, however, that this has never been true and never will be true. G.K. Chesterton said, “On five occasions in history the Church has gone to the dogs, but on each occasion, it was the dogs that died.”
Bruised, but never beaten
Despite its legacy, the New Atheist movement is now treated with growing scepticism. It tried to convince people that at the bottom of it all there is NOTHING, and if we desire “meaning” we must create it for ourselves. But the meaning we create leads to destruction, not life. Harmful ideologies have arisen, many of which are viewed as being worse than the more conservative Christian worldview. Even Dawkins, author of The God Delusion, now refers to himself as a “cultural Christian”. My friends are more open to speaking about faith issues. Why? Because they’re struggling to find meaning in life and don’t like where the world is heading.
In a recent conversation with Dawkins, former atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali said something that brought a tear to my eye. Looking straight at Dawkins she declared that “Christianity is obsessed with love.” Wow! This is the truth.
Our ‘obsession’ with love is powerful. Contrary to popular secular narratives, Christianity has been a driving force behind changes for societal good. History proves it.
And this project that Mike and I are undertaking is designed to defend that notion.
About ‘Mike Writes’
Mike Writes is a monthly blog by Mike Betts, one of the apostles serving the Relational Mission family of churches. Mike provides fresh takes on unity and community, how the church interacts with wider culture, and the gospel’s power to change lives.
In this next season, he is teaming up with John Raspin to explore how the church has influenced major areas of society. John attends King’s Community Church (City West) in Norwich. His PhD research focused on the early modern period, especially how Christianity shaped Western culture.