I like being right–fact checking, logical argument, debate, a commitment to the truth, intellectual rigor. These are things that interest me. But I fear today that these capacities of the church have been stolen and tossed entirely into the realm of American culture and politics. What especially confuses me is those Christians who are wired similarly but seem to invest all of that mental vitality into politics and the culture wars, leaving nothing for what Jude calls us to do — “contend for the faith”.

Are you passionate about arguing for the correct view of the history of slavery, but have no idea how to defend the historicity of the resurrection? Can you quote more Thomas Sowell than the prophet Joel? Can you defend the existence of structural racism but are barely able to muster an argument for the existence of God? Can you articulate pro-life logic more deftly than Paul’s arguments in the book of Romans? Can you name more news media personalities than famous figures in church history? Can you explain why capitalism makes sense better than you can explain why the gospel makes sense? Which do you know better: the charges brought against Trump or against Christ?

You get the point.

I just don’t understand how a Christian can care so much about being right about current events but seem to care so little about being right regarding the cross of Christ, the main event in all of history.