In distinct contrast to the widespread conservative fallacy of the eighties, the sharpest challenge of modernity is not secularism, but secularization. Secularism is a philosophy; secularization is a process. Whereas the philosophy is obviously hostile and touches only a few, the process is largely invisible and touches many. Being openly hostile, secularism rarely deceives Christians. Being much more subtle, secularization often deceives Christians before they are aware of it, including those in the church-growth movement. How else can one explain the comment of a Japanese businessman to a visiting Australian? “Whenever I meet a Buddhist leader, I meet a holy man. Whenever I meet a Christian leader, I meet a manager.”
— Os Guinness (b. 1941), Apologet, Soziologe, Kulturkritiker und Autor
Topics: Church & Congregation, Ethical Questions
Occasions: For Reflection
Os Guinness
Der 1941 geborene britische Soziologe, Publizist und Kulturkritiker Os Guinness wirkt seit mehreren Jahrzehnten im evangelikalen Spektrum vor allem in den USA. Bekanntheit erlangte er durch Veröffentlichungen über christliche Berufung, Analysen moderner Gesellschaften sowie sein Engagement für weltweite Religions- und Gewissensfreiheit. Bibellesern vermittelt sein Werk Impulse für ein intellektuell reflektiertes Glaubenszeugnis im säkularen Raum, wobei er sowohl fortschreitende Säkularisierung als auch die parteipolitische Vereinnahmung des Evangeliums kritisiert.
All quotes by Os Guinness (26)
The church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.
Tim Keller
The Church is not a cultural club, but the family of Jesus.
Pope Francis
The Bible in the pulpit must never supersede the Bible at home.
John Charles Ryle
In essential unity; in nonessentials liberty; in all this charity.
Rupertus Meldenius
Henry Ward Beecher
Philip Yancey
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
In a congregation, every person must be able to be as their heart truly is.
Nicolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf