Does The Term "Post-Christian" Make Sense?

 Does The Term "Post-Christian" Make Sense?


Again, I am writing some of these treatises to try to satisfy my own curiosity; to bring up issues that I think are important; and (sometimes) to challenge almost-universally-accepted phrases and tenets.

 

Probably almost all of us have heard of, or read of the concept of the "Post-Christian" world, or society, or culture.  The idea, I believe, is likely pretty innocent--as it seeks to communicate the perception that what used to be, is no longer the case (or is no longer "around").  And, without a doubt, this thinking is totally understandable.

 

But I wonder, Biblically, and from a gospel perspective, if this term "Post-Christian" has any meaning; and (worse) if it is not potentially offensive to the one and only God of heaven and earth?

 

I also muse over whether or not this term is employed as a convenient "excuse" for going beyond the Biblical (and gospel) guidelines for the church's Sabbath (Sunday) worship services; and for doing certain types of unconventional "evangelism," (even if the motivations are "good")?  (The rationale would be, "Well, the 'old' ways cannot work anymore; so we have to try something else.")

 

We already know, from manifold places in both the New Testament and the Old, that King Jesus rules; and that His dominion is from "sea to sea," (Ps. 72:8).  The only question, I suppose, is, "Can Christ's rule be lost, usurped, or replaced by anything else?"

 

I think the answer is a bit complex; but it comes down, in the final analysis, to "No."  The reason for this is that anywhere Christ, His gospel, and His church have come, they leave an everlasting impact: either for salvation (good), or for judgment (bad).  Even today, if we go anywhere where the gospel has at some time held sway, that culture is still--even unbeknownst to its citizens--affected by the lingering presence of Christ and His people--even if today it does not seem to be so.

 

On top of all this, the reality is, that non-Christian peoples naturally (and understandably) flock to traditionally-Christian lands and nations.  Though they often self-righteously complain about alleged (or even real) "unrighteous" treatment from God's people--they still have enough sense to realize that they are a whole lot better off amongst Christians, than they would be in the presence of the adherents of any of the other religions--all of which are brutal and false.

 

Where the gospel has departed an area where once it predominated, or wherever Christ has removed His "lampstands" of His true church (Rev. 2:5), (because of apostacy), real Christians are to re-introduce the good news to those locales again.

 

There are still places in the world today that have never heard the clear and clarion call of the gospel.  These lands have within them some elect people.  God will bring the glorious tidings to them via His faithful church.

 

To return to this "Post-Christian" discussion in conclusion, I challenge any true, regenerated, Spirit-filled Christian to go to any place where Christ's good news and His church had been established at some time (in the past), and see for yourselves whether or not you discern the eternal and lingering effects of the presence of the kingdom of God.

 

The world can never (truly) be "Post-Christian."  It *will* be "Post-Non-Christian"--but it can never be "Post-Christian."

 

Here are some words of encouragement for you: " . . . and many peoples shall come, and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob, that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths,' " (Isa. 2:3a/ESV).

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #26

30 September 2025

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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