Christian Theology for a Secular Society
Singing the Lord's Song in a Strange Land
- Theology
- Publisher: Wipf and Stock
- Published: 2008
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Publisher's Description
"It's hard to be the only one." That single sentence from a teenage congregant sums up the conviction that motivated Christian Theology for a Secular Society. In these dying days of Christendom, the reality that most Western Christians face is living out their faith as a minority in the midst of a culture that is at every level--personal, institutional, and societal--secular in nature. While most living in Western societies still affirm belief in God and often other vaguely recognizable Christian beliefs, these affirmations frequently have little to do with how daily life is lived. The idea that the God best known to us in Jesus Christ is actually in charge of life is foreign. For most, Christianity simply does not form an overarching system of meaning that shapes life. Instead, life is lived largely without reference to God. And to live any other way is often "hard." In this volume, Mark McKim sets out to "do" theology in this context. How does one explain the core historic Christian doctrines in a way that makes sense in a secular culture--and in a way that will gain a hearing? What does it mean to be the church in this new situation? Throughout, McKim asks the question, so what? as he relates Christian teachings to a secular society and to what is actually happening in the local church. McKim's goal is to enable the singing of the Lord's song in the new and strange land of a secular society.
Endorsements (3)
“This is systematic theology written by a pastor-scholar for other pastors and thoughtful church members. . . . McKim's passion is to help us know, love, and serve God in our day. [This book] is a heartfelt plea . . . to become more counter-cultural by taking seriously the sovereign and holy God in a world increasingly secular and claiming its autonomy from God.”
“Equipping himself with some of the best in ancient and recent theology and scriptural study, McKim sets out to write a systematic theology which restores our confidence in the Gospel, thickens our description of the Christian faith with scriptural revelation and sound doctrine, and provides both intellectual resources and practical directions to build up the life and mission of the church in our secular context . . .”
“Generally in agreement, occasionally in disagreement, I am nevertheless pleased to commend Dr. McKim's book. I hope that it will gain a wide readership. With apologetic and pastoral concerns in mind he wrestles with major Christian doctrines in such a way as to reveal their biblical roots and to show their importance for today's church. . . . Ministers who subscribe to prevalent anti-intellectualism, who resort to forced emotionalism, or vacuous 'spirituality,' or who are in thrall to materialistic-commercial models of church growth should be required to read this book--and repent.”
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