I was recently visiting with a new friend and colleague who is just completing doctoral work and is here in Seattle establishing an Institute for Northwest Culture and Theology. It’s pretty exciting. But, what I want to share with you is one nugget that I really took away from that conversation. As we discussed the “religious” topography of the Puget Sound Area, one thing that stuck out is that in this area, one of the least church-attending in America, there is no religious majority. Unlike areas such as the Midwest where much of the culture has a Lutheran bent, we have no majority. In the South, Baptist theology and culture rules the landscape. But, here, no denomination or particular form of secularist idealism or culture prevails. So, what do we make of this fact?
First of all, it means to me that a lot of people don’t have a means of pigeonholing Christ followers into one category. I actually like this a lot. We can stand back from denominational labels and particular cultures, even the Dutch culture of the CRC, and we can be faithfully present as Christ’s people – his body right here and now. We have a bit of an upper hand. We have the privilege of “living in Christ” and making our own case for a living faith, apart from labels and many pre-suppsitions. With this comes freedom and responsibility — and perhaps a need to be both a role model of Christ-likeness as a well as a willing witness to the faith which directs our lives.
Second, I like the challenge of playing on an even field and having to live my minority lifestyle in a pluralistic environment. I think this reality gives Christianity and Christian social ethics a great an opportunity to shine and inspire widespread confidence. For instance, in most liberal democracies, the “progressive” face of the culture capitulates to a form of Political Correctness, that emerges only as a new form of repression. An example of this comes from the nation of France. My new friend and I discussed this over coffee. France is known as a totally tolerant and progressive culture in almost all ways. It is governed by a bold socialism. social benefits are extraordinary, drug laws, sexual mores, immigration and family structures are among the most progressive and liberalized on the planet. Yet, at the same time, this is a nation that has outlawed Muslim women from wearing customary head coverings for modesty and piety. What? Think about that. That would be like passing a law that Jews couldn’t celebrate Hanukkah, nor Christians celebrate Easter. Oh, that does happen here, doesn’t it? But, do you see what I mean. Progressive societies can turn around and become very oppressive toward certain minorities, particularly religious minorities. But, our Reformed Christian faith believes in a Common Grace that protects the basic Human Rights of all people, because everyone is created in the image of God. So, I see an opportunity to help redefine a new pluralism with broad tolerance based on the very teaching of our Bible and our Lord Jesus.
Third, the reality of Northwest culture and our deep minority status, challenges us to be “the real deal”. This is not an easy place to live out your faith. As Billy Graham once said, “One no more becomes a Christian by going to church, than something becomes a car because it goes into a garage.” So, we are unprotected by the veneer of a religious system. Each person, each faith community must exonerate itself by legitimate and sensitive balancing of word, deed and worship life.
I am thrilled to live in the Pacific Northwest. How about you? I want to be up to the challenge of transforming our culture here for the good. How about you – do you have the want to want to? Mom always told me that was a good place to start.
Much Love,
Randy