We now shift gears and focus on how we, the Church, can become God’s instrument for the renewal of culture. Because dualism has become so prevalent in the Church, we often fail to recognize the profound ways the gospel has shaped our families, institutions, systems, communities, and nations throughout the West.

In Occupy, we begin this new section by examining a surprising phenomenon of our day. Increasingly, influential thinkers who do not profess faith in Christ are describing themselves as “cultural Christians.” Most notably, one of the leaders of the New Atheist movement, Richard Dawkins, has publicly identified himself this way.

What is happening here?

Dawkins recognizes the fruit that grows from the root of worshiping our Lord and Savior. He appreciates that fruit but has not yet acknowledged the root from which it comes.

Many people who reject Christian doctrine still long for the blessings of a Christian civilization—safety, trust, beauty, stable families, and economic opportunity. The Church must not abandon the public square and leave these “cultural Christians” without the source of the very culture they admire. Those of us who truly believe must patiently lead people back to the foundation from which these beautiful cultural blessings flow.

In other words, we must engage the public square. We must grow in our ability to represent Christ with wisdom, courage, authenticity, and grace.

The opposition is real. We possess the truth, yet many do not want to hear it. But we are not the first to live in such a moment. Christ Himself, along with countless faithful believers throughout history, proclaimed truth in cultures that rejected it. We are called to do the same—with clarity, courage, and love that both persuades and protects the vulnerable.

Application: Discipling the Nation at the Level of Culture

This section is written for believers who feel the pressure to remain silent. It provides both the why and the how of faithful public witness in our cultural moment. Make no mistake: if believers fail to engage, the moral and cultural decline around us will only accelerate.

For America’s 250th

America’s founders swam against the tide of their day. They proclaimed truths that were unpopular with both the British Crown and much of the prevailing philosophy of their age because they believed those truths were grounded in the Creator.

We are called to the same courageous clarity today.

Their faithful stand continues to shape history nearly 250 years later. It reminds us that one person standing firmly on the truth of God can help change the course of a nation.

Action Point

Identify one place where you have been tempted to remain silent about biblical truth—whether at work, with family, on social media, or in your community. Ask the Lord for wisdom and courage, then take one faithful step this week to speak or live out that truth.

Truth spoken in love remains one of God’s most powerful instruments for cultural renewal.

In the next blog, we will discuss the courage to refuse to participate in the lies.

For the Kingdom,

Darrow Miller and Friends

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