City Journal Audio
Christians in the Moral Minority
Aug 21, 2024
Aaron M. Renn, author of "Life in the Negative World", discusses the evolving challenges American Christians face in today's culture. He examines the decline of Christianity's societal influence and the impact of significant events from the 1960s to the Trump era. Renn emphasizes that evangelicals must adapt to their new minority status and build supportive communities. He also shares insights on maintaining religious values amid changing cultural norms, highlighting the need for resilience and adaptation in a complex landscape.
20:45
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Quick takeaways
- The evolution of American culture regarding evangelical Christianity has progressed through positive, neutral, and negative worlds, drastically altering public perception since the 1990s.
- In navigating a negative cultural landscape, evangelical Christians are encouraged to build community institutions and engage in constructive dialogue rather than solely relying on outdated strategies.
Deep dives
The Evolution of American Christianity
American culture's relationship with evangelical Christianity has shifted dramatically over the last century, evolving through three distinct eras: the positive, neutral, and negative worlds. The positive world, which lasted until the early 1990s, saw Christianity regarded favorably within a largely Protestant normative society. However, a tipping point around 1994 ushered in the neutral world, characterized by Christianity being seen as just one lifestyle choice among many, albeit with residual influence. By 2014, the negative world emerged, marking the first instance where official elite culture viewed Christianity skeptically, significantly altering public perception and acceptance of Christian values in society.
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