Taking Every Thought Captive
Public Theology for Christ
Public Theology is a relatively new phrase to describe an undeniably ancient vocation: “To cry aloud and spare not” (Isaiah 58:1). To locate and (desire to) apply biblical-theological reflection to ideas and activities is the prerogative of all believers. For those called to proclaim the unsearchable riches of Christ to a broken world (beginning with the broken self), public theology is the work of entering a civic dialogue, often in print or in broadcasting, with the unconcealed objective of announcing the Lordship of Christ over “every square inch” (Abraham Kuyper, Stone Lectures, 1898), For those who prefer their Christianity to be kept in the sanctuary at 11:00, such evangelistic engagement can be uncomfortable. For those in the fray, it is spiritually dangerous and fraught with the possibility of shooting one’s self in one’s proverbial foot! I have my share of unintended buckshot lodged in my spiritual flesh and bone. To then place that bullet-ridden foot firmly in one’s mouth is an acrobatic performance too easily mastered by even the most well-intentioned. Yet, despite the possibility of Deputy-Barney-Fife-moments, we who seek to announce the Gospel in the public square do so for one main reason: that we might (however falteringly) proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by those opportunities afforded us. If, like those who heard Paul, some say, “We will hear more of this” (Acts 17:32; even as others reject the message), then we live to see another day, or write another column, or preach on another street corner.
I hope you can read our recent article here: “The Short Journey from Denying Truth to Marching for Murderers.”
Many thanks to Carolina Journal. To visit the site and read the article encourages these fine publications to allow me to continue to write for them. I prefer to write in publications not specifically Christian, to (seek to) “take every thought captive.” Thus, whether we write editorials, bear witness to Christ in the boardroom or in the locker room, while rocking the cradle or working on an assembly line, we dedicate ourselves anew to the model of St. Paul:
“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 ESV).
