It is doubtless confusing to say the "future of Christianity" is now at stake. What is Christianity? Is it the Church? Is it Christian civilization? The mere clarification of terms would, if it were adequate, require an article to itself. Let us briefly note these most important points, and then pass on.
1. The future of the Church, the Body of Christ, is not in the hands of men. It is not subject to the vagaries of political history. There is and there can be no ambiguity and no uncertainty about the Church's fulfillment of her appointed task on earth. For the Church is Christ himself, present in the world he has redeemed, present in mystery, in poverty, in ways that are a scandal to human wisdom, in modes that confound the clever, the mighty, the affluent and the ruthless leaders of men. Just as "the world" defeated itself in condemning the Lord of glory, so now also worldly power works fro its own confusion and for the establishment of the kingdom of God even when it attacks the kingdom most savagely and, it would seem, with the greatest chance of final success.
2. But taking "Christianity" in a wider sense, we are confronted with a far different situation. Christianity signifies the whole complex of Judeo-Christian attitudes, of beliefs, of culture, ways of life. It signifies all the basic and vital assumptions which have formed the worldview of the West, and on which Western Civilization has been built. More than that, it can even be taken to include implicitly all that is rich and spiritual in all the religious cultures and worldviews in so far as these riches can be understood to be "naturally Christian." ...
In other words, if "Christianity" is destroyed, life in Christ will become a matter of extraordinary heroism, a venture and an unconditional commitment of which very few will be capable, particularly if it means going against the formidable tyrannic compulsions of mass-society.
3. Whether we like it or not, we have to admit we are already living in a post-Christian world, that is to say a world in which Christian ideals and attitudes are relegated more and more to the minority.
It is frightening to realize that the facade of Christianity which still generally survives has perhaps little or nothing behind it, and that what was once called "Christian society" is more purely and simply a materialistic neopaganism with a Christian veneer.
when it comes to peace, as with other societal issues, we must name our influences and from where they come from to find that clarity in decision making. if it is a political decision make it from the view of politics, but if you are to claim "Christianity" then one must speak from the clarity of faith that comes from the "Body of Christ," the mission of the church, & not the influence of man. with some of our current decisions, what are those things that are done out of fear or survival to maintain what we percieve to be a higher spiritual ethic?
It is doubtful for most Christians whether the real underlying religious issue is clearly visible. On the contrary, at least in America, the average priest and minister seems to react in much the same way as the average agnostic or atheist. The interests of the West, NATO, and the Church are all confused with one another, and even the possibility of defending the West with a nuclear first strike on Russia is sometimes accepted without too much hesitation as "necessary" and a "lesser evil." We assume that Western society and Christendom are still identical and that Communism equals Antichrist. And we are ready to declare without hesitation that "no price is too high" to pay for our religious liberty.
update: jonathon has highlighted this, which i think is relevant. relevant in a jonthon norman/jon stewart way.
