Quote of the Day - A Spiritual Third Way

In the introduction to Tim Keller's new book, The Reason for God, he talks about the need for a spiritual third way beyond the legalism of the religious right and the social gospel of the religious left and says this:

I think these younger Christians are the vanguard of some major new religious, social, and political arrangements that make the older form of culture wars obsolete. After they wrestle with doubts and objections to Christianity many come out on the other side with an orthodox faith that doesn't fit the current categories of liberal Democrat or conservative Republican. Many see both sides in the"culturewar" making individual freedom and personal happiness the ultimate value rather than God and the common good.

Semper reformanda!! No generation "figures it out" and ours won't either, but Tim is on to something here (big surprise) that I have also thought deeply about. There are very few individuals and even fewer community action groups that are truly making God and the common good their ultimate value. We will always be bent towards selfishness because we are fallen, sinful human beings but we should pray that God will renew us and open our eyes to his common good as the ultimate factor that drives our worldview and decision making. We will know our worldview is coming under his lordship when we start to forsake our own creature comforts for the good of others. This only makes sense in the "upside down" kingdom and does not come from our own effort or power but only through Christ's kingdom shining through us.