Historians can keep arguing about whether or not America
was founded as a "Christian" country, but one thing is for
sure: For most of this country's history, Christianity has
been the dominate cultural force. From the engine behind
social service outreaches, to the founding of our greatest
educational institutions and hospitals, to prayers before
government sessions and sporting events, the Christian faith
has made an indelible mark on our society -- at least until
recently.
Today that voice is in decline. Although a 2012 Pew Forum
Study indicated that 73 percent of Americans still identify
themselves as "Christian," that number would drop
dramatically when it comes to significant areas of influence
such as the media, academia, business, entertainment and
more.
In my new book, "Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of
Brands and Social Media," I point out that Christianity has
always had a love/hate relationship with the culture --
particularly the media. Historically, innovation and
technology has more likely been perceived as a threat than
friend. The Catholic Church rose up against the specter of
the printing press, fearing the common man's ability to read
the Bible for himself would undermine the Church's
authority. As a result, William Tyndale spent most of his
adult life running from the authorities, living among
smugglers, and eventually being martyred, all for the
"crime" of translating the Word of God into English.
Since that time, the Church has learned some important
lessons. By 1833 the largest publisher in America, Harper
and Company, boasted one horse-powered printing press and
seven hand presses. But at the same time, the American Bible
Society owned 16 new steam driven presses and 20 hand
presses.
Early in the 20th century, the Church embraced motion
pictures, radio, then television and now the Internet and
social media. But in the vast majority of cases, we're not
using those platforms to engage the greater culture, we're
living inside a bubble. After all, why tweet, when you can
join "Christian Chirp," the "Christian alternative to
Twitter." And don't go to eHarmony or Match.com if you're
looking for a Christian mate, use "Christian Mingle." From
the web, to publishing, to record labels, TV networks,
universities and more, the last 50 years have seen a
remarkable withdrawal from mainstream culture and a move
back to a cloistered, protective bubble.
In all honesty, the Church isn't losing it's voice, it's
giving it away.
But Jesus never advocated protective bubbles, and never
retreated from the challenges of the culture around him.
Jesus spent his life where the people were -- in the
marketplace, social gatherings, or the Temple Square -- and
He wasn't afraid to answer the hard questions. And in Acts
17, the Apostle Paul went directly to the pagan philosophers
at Mars Hill. He understood their beliefs as much as they
did, and was so intriguing they invited him back. But today,
when it comes to the culture around us, the Church is far
more likely to protest, criticize and condemn, rather than
actually engage.
To regain our voice and re-engage today's culture, we need
to understand the power of perception. In the '80s, The
Moral Majority may have been motivated by noble reasons, but
to the greater culture, they were about condemnation, rather
than grace. As a result, they were perceived as simply the
frustrated and angry cry of those the culture had left
behind.
The great challenge of the Church today is speaking into a
culture that perceives us as an irrelevant, out of touch
museum piece. During my lifetime, living by Judeo-Christian
principles was assumed and taken for granted. We all [k]new
the rules, so it was acceptable to harshly question people
who went against Bible teaching. But in a world where
bestselling books are titled "God is Not Great," and
hostility to the faith is championed by much of the culture,
we must react differently if we're to engage the hearts and
minds of those around us.
The Christian Church has to come to terms with the fact
that while it's role in leading American culture may be
over, it's voice at the table is not. That doesn't mean we
side-step issues that matter, but we speak the truth in a
way that engages rather than condemns. In a media-driven
culture, perception matters. Two thousand years ago, an
obscure, marginal group following the teachings of Jesus
became the dominant religious force in the Western world.
They didn't have political power, an army or vast wealth.
But through their lifestyle, their relationships and their
actions, they changed the perception of Rome, and eventually
impacted the world.
Phil Cooke, Ph.D., is a filmmaker, media consultant,
and author of 'Unique: Telling Your Story in the Age of
Brands and Social Media.'
