Part Two: A Certain Christian Civilization
Several weeks ago, the Vice President of the United States went to Hungary to praise the authoritarian regime of Viktor Orban as the “the defense of Western civilization,” and “the defense of the idea that we are founded on a certain Christian civilization and Christian values that animate everything…” (CBS News)
When I heard this, everything clicked.
“…a certain Christian civilization…”
What does the phrase “Western civilization” mean to you? What does “Christian civilization" mean to you?
I think of the founders of the United States taking the best ideas from Rome, Greece, Europe, and Christianity, and creating something new: “A nation conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.” (The Gettysburg Address)
I think of how that inspired other nations to throw off tyranny in the pursuit of freedom.
I think of American soldiers fighting against fascism during World War II and how we brought down Communism through the spread of American culture and ideas.
I think of Neil Armstrong making a “great leap for mankind,” and of “little Black boys and Black girls…[being] able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.”
I think of Acts 2, where there is a description of the community formed by the earliest Christians: “All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.”
I think of Galatians 3 where Paul tells us that, “There is no longer Jew or Greek; there is no longer slave or free; there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.”
I think that one of the great achievements of "civilization" has been that we work toward these goals through dialogue instead of use of force.
I think of a verse that I’ve heard that says, “Come, let us reason together” in the King James Version. The New Revised Standard Version (UE) says it better, “Come now, let us argue it out…” (Isaiah 1:18)
I believe that “post-war liberal consensus” was the greatest achievement of both Western civilization and Christianity.
As polarized as we are, I still believe that most Americans, and most Christians, hold to these ideals, but I don’t think everyone does.
“…a certain Christian civilization…”
In 2018, Viktor Orban said, “Christian democracy is, by definition, not liberal, it is, if you like, illiberal... Liberal democracy is in favor of multiculturalism, while Christian democracy gives priority to Christian culture; this is an illiberal concept. Liberal democracy is pro-immigration, while Christian democracy is anti-immigration; this is again a genuinely illiberal concept. And liberal democracy sides with adaptable family models, while Christian democracy rests on the foundations of the Christian family model; once more, this is an illiberal concept.” (“Letters from an American, May 11, 2016.” Heather Cox Richardson.)
The Vice President and the former Prime Minister of Hungary have interesting views on what “Christian democracy” and “Western civilization” are. I believe they are holding onto a story that dates back centuries.
Their story of Western “Christian” Civilization is dependent on the authority of Scripture, but is not rooted in Scripture, it’s just the authority that matters - it’s about power.
They seem to think that the Bible is the source of earthly power and has the authority to crown kings.
That idea is what this series is about: how people use the Bible to justify their power under the auspices of “biblical authority.”
It would really benefit those who want to use the Bible for their own gain to actually read it and learn a little bit about where it came from; it’s not the ark of the covenant.
Also, the ark of covenant did not transfer power to anyone who possessed it either; Steven Spielberg didn’t completely make up the ending to Raiders of the Lost Ark (see 1 Samuel 4 - 6).
“Woe to those who manipulate religion and the very name of God for their own military, economic, and political gain, dragging that which is sacred into darkness and filth.” (Pope Leo XIV)
Next Week:
Part Three: Christian Civilization and the Acts 2 Church
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