lOMoARcPSD|22671317
Discuss question - societal secularization; the
process of societal secularization benefited
Christianity
Biblical Foundation of Christian Leadership (Liberty University)
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“Another way of describing the secularization Chadwick writes of is to call it the end of
Christendom, or the end of that lengthy period of European history when the interests of church
and society were thought to be the same and where it was almost universally assumed that
Christian spiritual realities were more fundamental than realities of the temporal world.”[2]
The process of societal secularization benefited Christianity in the West
“Another way of describing the secularization Chadwick writes of is to call it the end of
Christendom, or the end of that lengthy period of European history when the interests of church
and society were thought to be the same and where it was almost universally assumed that
Christian spiritual realities were more fundamental than realities of the temporal world.”[2]
The biblical account of Paul's voyage to Athens shows how Christianity triumphed over social
secularization (Acts 17:16-24). Athens was a city ruled by gods and ruled by secular thinking.
When Paul arrived at Athens, he addressed the crowd and shared the gospel. At the conclusion
of his speech, some derided him, while others converted to Christianity. As a result, Christianity
was able to triumph in a secular society.
Secular ideas pervade our western civilization now, just as they did in Paul's day in Athens. In
the name of secularization, society has abandoned God. However, as history has shown, this will
not lead to the church's abolition. In actuality, I believe that society's secularization can help
Christianity in two ways. To begin with, it allows the church to recognize genuine believers.
People in Rome were obliged to worship God and live according to Christian beliefs under the
reigns of successive Christian Emperors. This also meant that nonbelievers might hold church
leadership roles. As a result, a host of problems arose. Second, it helps the church to fulfill the
Great Commission and be a true light in the world. A person is regarded to be a true disciple if he
or she repents of their sins and follows Christ. This inspires a person to follow in the footsteps of
Christ, which goes against the flow of secular culture. This allows the secular world to see
Christ's pure love, allowing genuine dialogue and discipleship to take place.
[1] Noll, Mark A. Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. 3rd ed.
Grand Rapids, Mich.:Baker Academic, 2012.
[2] Ibid
lOMoARcPSD|22671317
The process of societal secularization benefited Christianity in the West by forcing believers to
These developments in European economic, social, national, intellectual, and cultural life spelled
the end of an era. Christianity was not banished from Europe, but over the course of the
nineteenth century it came to be marginalized
Mark A. Noll, Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity , Third Edition.
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2012), 250.
“Another way of describing the secularization Chadwick writes of is to call it the end of
Christendom, or the end of that lengthy period of European history when the interests of church
and society were thought to be the same and where it was almost universally assumed that
Christian spiritual realities were more fundamental than realities of the temporal world.”[2]
The biblical account of Paul's voyage to Athens shows how Christianity triumphed over social
secularization (Acts 17:16-24). Athens was a city ruled by gods and ruled by secular thinking.
When Paul arrived at Athens, he addressed the crowd and shared the gospel. At the conclusion
of his speech, some derided him, while others converted to Christianity. As a result, Christianity
was able to triumph in a secular society.
Secular ideas pervade our western civilization now, just as they did in Paul's day in Athens. In
the name of secularization, society has abandoned God. However, as history has shown, this will
not lead to the church's abolition. In actuality, I believe that society's secularization can help
Christianity in two ways. To begin with, it allows the church to recognize genuine believers.
People in Rome were obliged to worship God and live according to Christian beliefs under the
reigns of successive Christian Emperors. This also meant that nonbelievers might hold church
leadership roles. As a result, a host of problems arose. Second, it helps the church to fulfill the
Great Commission and be a true light in the world. A person is regarded to be a true disciple if he
or she repents of their sins and follows Christ. This inspires a person to follow in the footsteps of
Christ, which goes against the flow of secular culture. This allows the secular world to see
Christ's pure love, allowing genuine dialogue and discipleship to take place.
[1] Noll, Mark A. Turning Points: Decisive Moments in the History of Christianity. 3rd ed.
Grand Rapids, Mich.:Baker Academic, 2012.
[2] Ibid
