These Trends Might Turn the West Back to Christianity - Collin Hansen

Well, I spent a memorable Friday Well, I spent a memorable Friday afternoon with some dear friends touring afternoon with some dear friends touring afternoon with some dear friends touring the National Gallery of Denmark. It's the National Gallery of Denmark. It's the National Gallery of Denmark. It's not far from the King's Garden in not far from the King's Garden in not far from the King's Garden in central Copenhagen. central Copenhagen. central Copenhagen. And the guide excitedly told us about a And the guide excitedly told us about a And the guide excitedly told us about a new exhibit on surrealism, new exhibit on surrealism, new exhibit on surrealism, which she said has become popular again. which she said has become popular again. which she said has become popular again. And I thought, no wonder. And I thought, no wonder. And I thought, no wonder. Surrealism emerged in Europe as a Surrealism emerged in Europe as a Surrealism emerged in Europe as a response to the First World War. And so response to the First World War. And so response to the First World War. And so you can see why it's popular again as you can see why it's popular again as you can see why it's popular again as the post-war consensus of the Second the post-war consensus of the Second the post-war consensus of the Second World War has finally crumbled with World War has finally crumbled with World War has finally crumbled with Russia's invasion and ongoing war with Russia's invasion and ongoing war with Russia's invasion and ongoing war with Ukraine. Ukraine. Ukraine. You didn't come to Gospel Bound because You didn't come to Gospel Bound because You didn't come to Gospel Bound because you thought that I was an expert in you thought that I was an expert in you thought that I was an expert in surrealism, surrealism, surrealism, but I did read the curator's but I did read the curator's but I did read the curator's explanations of Andre Berton and his explanations of Andre Berton and his explanations of Andre Berton and his second surrealist manifesto from 1929, second surrealist manifesto from 1929, second surrealist manifesto from 1929, fateful year in Western history, the fateful year in Western history, the fateful year in Western history, the stock market crash. stock market crash. stock market crash. Now, here is one of those summaries. Now, here is one of those summaries. Now, here is one of those summaries. This is the the Danish National Museum's This is the the Danish National Museum's This is the the Danish National Museum's summary of surrealism, summary of surrealism, summary of surrealism, and you can see then why it's so and you can see then why it's so and you can see then why it's so significant for today. Here's the significant for today. Here's the significant for today. Here's the summary. Inspired by Freud's summary. Inspired by Freud's summary. Inspired by Freud's psychoanalysis, the surrealists see psychoanalysis, the surrealists see psychoanalysis, the surrealists see drives as a fundamental energy that drives as a fundamental energy that drives as a fundamental energy that moves human beings not only towards life moves human beings not only towards life moves human beings not only towards life and creation, but also towards and creation, but also towards and creation, but also towards dissolution and chaos. This is evident dissolution and chaos. This is evident dissolution and chaos. This is evident in their depictions of war, in their depictions of war, in their depictions of war, disintegrating bodies, and challenges to disintegrating bodies, and challenges to disintegrating bodies, and challenges to authority figures. These artists allow authority figures. These artists allow authority figures. These artists allow themselves to be guided by their drives,

themselves to be guided by their drives, themselves to be guided by their drives, which can lead to both the construction which can lead to both the construction which can lead to both the construction of new visions and the dismantling of of new visions and the dismantling of of new visions and the dismantling of existing norms. Now you can see and even feel in the Now you can see and even feel in the surrealists surrealists surrealists in their in their work in their in their in their work in their in their in their work in their paintings the destruction that was paintings the destruction that was paintings the destruction that was suffered by a generation whose world was suffered by a generation whose world was suffered by a generation whose world was destroyed by war. destroyed by war. destroyed by war. You can also see like those German You can also see like those German You can also see like those German cities that are facades that they they cities that are facades that they they cities that are facades that they they didn't intend to put the world back didn't intend to put the world back didn't intend to put the world back together the same way that they together the same way that they together the same way that they inherited it. They couldn't. It was inherited it. They couldn't. It was inherited it. They couldn't. It was broken. There was no going back to July broken. There was no going back to July broken. There was no going back to July 1914. 1914. 1914. And so, guided by Freud, they would be And so, guided by Freud, they would be And so, guided by Freud, they would be driven to reconstruct life however they driven to reconstruct life however they driven to reconstruct life however they please. please. please. Yes, you can definitely see why Yes, you can definitely see why Yes, you can definitely see why surrealism is popular again. surrealism is popular again. surrealism is popular again. We're not going back to the world before We're not going back to the world before We're not going back to the world before the COVID global pandemic or Russia's the COVID global pandemic or Russia's the COVID global pandemic or Russia's invasion of Ukraine or the terrorist invasion of Ukraine or the terrorist invasion of Ukraine or the terrorist attacks on Israel by Gaza or out of Gaza attacks on Israel by Gaza or out of Gaza attacks on Israel by Gaza or out of Gaza or Germany before the bombs.

or Germany before the bombs. or Germany before the bombs. Ryrie says we can't go back to Ryrie says we can't go back to Ryrie says we can't go back to Christianity either. It's not an option. Christianity either. It's not an option. Christianity either. It's not an option. So, we'll have to make a new world again So, we'll have to make a new world again So, we'll have to make a new world again however we feel. however we feel. however we feel. We'll be lucky if this is true. But We'll be lucky if this is true. But We'll be lucky if this is true. But we're going to be lucky if it lasts as we're going to be lucky if it lasts as we're going to be lucky if it lasts as long as the post-war consensus did. No long as the post-war consensus did. No long as the post-war consensus did. No one knows. We're navigating the future one knows. We're navigating the future one knows. We're navigating the future without a compass, only our drives. without a compass, only our drives. without a compass, only our drives. That's what the surrealists are telling That's what the surrealists are telling That's what the surrealists are telling us. This is modern western secularism. us. This is modern western secularism. us. This is modern western secularism. We've internalized Christianity, but we We've internalized Christianity, but we We've internalized Christianity, but we won't acknowledge it. We've left the won't acknowledge it. We've left the won't acknowledge it. We've left the church. We've publicized Christianity, church. We've publicized Christianity, church. We've publicized Christianity, but we won't credit it. We've abandoned but we won't credit it. We've abandoned but we won't credit it. We've abandoned Christianity, but we don't know how to Christianity, but we don't know how to Christianity, but we don't know how to replace it. replace it. replace it. Let me say that again. Let me say that again. Let me say that again. The essential nature of modern Western The essential nature of modern Western The essential nature of modern Western secularism is that we've internalized secularism is that we've internalized secularism is that we've internalized good Protestants Christianity, but won't good Protestants Christianity, but won't good Protestants Christianity, but won't acknowledge where it came from. We've acknowledge where it came from. We've acknowledge where it came from. We've publicized Christianity. We've applied publicized Christianity. We've applied publicized Christianity. We've applied it to all of life, but we won't credit it to all of life, but we won't credit it to all of life, but we won't credit it. We need to be able to export it as a it. We need to be able to export it as a it. We need to be able to export it as a universal good even to non-Christians.

universal good even to non-Christians. universal good even to non-Christians. And now then in fullflowered secularism And now then in fullflowered secularism And now then in fullflowered secularism with the decline of the church, we've with the decline of the church, we've with the decline of the church, we've abandoned Christianity. abandoned Christianity. abandoned Christianity. We don't have anything but our drives to We don't have anything but our drives to We don't have anything but our drives to know what's supposed to replace it. know what's supposed to replace it. know what's supposed to replace it. And when you consider this, history, you And when you consider this, history, you And when you consider this, history, you see, is is neither cyclical nor is it see, is is neither cyclical nor is it see, is is neither cyclical nor is it linear. linear. linear. We don't know where we're going. And We don't know where we're going. And We don't know where we're going. And we're not just repeating the past. One we're not just repeating the past. One we're not just repeating the past. One thing we know as Christians reading our thing we know as Christians reading our thing we know as Christians reading our scriptures, God often surprises us. The scriptures, God often surprises us. The scriptures, God often surprises us. The post-war consensus of secular post-war consensus of secular post-war consensus of secular universals, even just a few years ago, universals, even just a few years ago, universals, even just a few years ago, well, let's start further back. At one well, let's start further back. At one well, let's start further back. At one point, that kind of secular universal point, that kind of secular universal point, that kind of secular universal peace that seemed impossible. It never peace that seemed impossible. It never peace that seemed impossible. It never nothing like that ever happened in world nothing like that ever happened in world nothing like that ever happened in world history. Then for decades and decades it history. Then for decades and decades it history. Then for decades and decades it seemed impregnable. seemed impregnable. seemed impregnable. And now you're seeing with the revival And now you're seeing with the revival And now you're seeing with the revival of the surrealists, of the surrealists, of the surrealists, it's unlivable.

it's unlivable. it's unlivable. Fascinating. What? At one point it Fascinating. What? At one point it Fascinating. What? At one point it seemed impossible. Then it was seemed impossible. Then it was seemed impossible. Then it was impregnable. Now it's unlivable. impregnable. Now it's unlivable. impregnable. Now it's unlivable. This is what I heard again and again This is what I heard again and again This is what I heard again and again from church leaders in this context. from church leaders in this context. from church leaders in this context. It's not unlivable. Modern secularism is It's not unlivable. Modern secularism is It's not unlivable. Modern secularism is not unlivable because Copenhagen is a not unlivable because Copenhagen is a not unlivable because Copenhagen is a miserable place to visit or to live. No, miserable place to visit or to live. No, miserable place to visit or to live. No, thanks to Christianity and thanks to Christianity and thanks to Christianity and Protestantism, it is a marvelous place. Protestantism, it is a marvelous place. Protestantism, it is a marvelous place. It is a remarkable achievement. It is a remarkable achievement. It is a remarkable achievement. What makes it unlivable What makes it unlivable What makes it unlivable is that in the end, reality always wins. is that in the end, reality always wins. is that in the end, reality always wins. Once you've drunk your coffee, you've Once you've drunk your coffee, you've Once you've drunk your coffee, you've eaten your pastry, eaten your pastry, eaten your pastry, you got to walk home and you got to do you got to walk home and you got to do you got to walk home and you got to do the laundry. the laundry. the laundry. The social social welfare system is The social social welfare system is The social social welfare system is great and in the end it's always going great and in the end it's always going great and in the end it's always going to fail you to fail you to fail you because it can't stop death. Romans 8 is because it can't stop death. Romans 8 is because it can't stop death. Romans 8 is true whether or not it ever feels that true whether or not it ever feels that true whether or not it ever feels that way on a sunny September morning.

way on a sunny September morning. way on a sunny September morning. Today, Today, Today, secularism is running into reality. secularism is running into reality. secularism is running into reality. And despite these appearances, And despite these appearances, And despite these appearances, it's losing. it's losing. it's losing. Reality remains inconvenient to those Reality remains inconvenient to those Reality remains inconvenient to those who deny God. who deny God. who deny God. It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the reality that two genders are different. reality that two genders are different. reality that two genders are different. It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the reality that not every metaphysic reality that not every metaphysic reality that not every metaphysic produces the same desired results. produces the same desired results. produces the same desired results. It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the reality that neighbors often desire to reality that neighbors often desire to reality that neighbors often desire to defeat or conquer their other neighbors. defeat or conquer their other neighbors. defeat or conquer their other neighbors. It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the reality that we need some basis to reality that we need some basis to reality that we need some basis to tolerate differences while also tolerate differences while also tolerate differences while also maintaining social cohesion. maintaining social cohesion. maintaining social cohesion. It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the reality that we need a shared basis for reality that we need a shared basis for reality that we need a shared basis for justice justice justice while also preserving freedoms of while also preserving freedoms of while also preserving freedoms of conscience, of speech, and assembly.

conscience, of speech, and assembly. conscience, of speech, and assembly. It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the It's inconvenient to run into the reality that we need help restraining reality that we need help restraining reality that we need help restraining the drives that destroy ourselves and the drives that destroy ourselves and the drives that destroy ourselves and others. others. others. There has to be a purpose for progress There has to be a purpose for progress There has to be a purpose for progress beyond the cycles of fashion, of art beyond the cycles of fashion, of art beyond the cycles of fashion, of art that comes in and out of popularity, and that comes in and out of popularity, and that comes in and out of popularity, and merely our feelings of superiority over merely our feelings of superiority over merely our feelings of superiority over the supposedly unenlightened past. the supposedly unenlightened past. the supposedly unenlightened past. Now, Now, Now, I do see a a future for the church in I do see a a future for the church in I do see a a future for the church in the most secular cities of the West. the most secular cities of the West. the most secular cities of the West. I heard about it from the leaders of of I heard about it from the leaders of of I heard about it from the leaders of of TGC Nordon, TGC Nordon, TGC Nordon, but I pray for them and I would ask you but I pray for them and I would ask you but I pray for them and I would ask you to pray for them as well. They're often to pray for them as well. They're often to pray for them as well. They're often their work often feels like pushing a their work often feels like pushing a their work often feels like pushing a boulder uphill while they're slipping in boulder uphill while they're slipping in boulder uphill while they're slipping in mud. mud. mud. They are trying to prove the need for They are trying to prove the need for They are trying to prove the need for the solution that they're offering in the solution that they're offering in the solution that they're offering in the gospel when most people are simply the gospel when most people are simply the gospel when most people are simply content to gaze into the blue skies with content to gaze into the blue skies with content to gaze into the blue skies with their coffee and their pastries. They're their coffee and their pastries. They're their coffee and their pastries. They're not wanting to think about death.

not wanting to think about death. not wanting to think about death. They're not wanting to gaze into their They're not wanting to gaze into their They're not wanting to gaze into their souls. They're not wanting to question souls. They're not wanting to question souls. They're not wanting to question whether the numbing effects of their whether the numbing effects of their whether the numbing effects of their drives will ever get old or stale and drives will ever get old or stale and drives will ever get old or stale and thank God ourselves, humanity. Who's thank God ourselves, humanity. Who's thank God ourselves, humanity. Who's supposed to thank here for the welfare supposed to thank here for the welfare supposed to thank here for the welfare state? state? state? Something does seem to be changing Something does seem to be changing Something does seem to be changing however however however and I want to share three perspectives and I want to share three perspectives and I want to share three perspectives on what these leaders think will happen. on what these leaders think will happen. on what these leaders think will happen. I mean I think we see three options. Any I mean I think we see three options. Any I mean I think we see three options. Any one of them could emerge as a tension one of them could emerge as a tension one of them could emerge as a tension point. Remember what Herado said about point. Remember what Herado said about point. Remember what Herado said about growing and successful religious growing and successful religious growing and successful religious movements. Any one of these three movements. Any one of these three movements. Any one of these three options could emerge as a tension point options could emerge as a tension point options could emerge as a tension point that would demand a widespread unified that would demand a widespread unified that would demand a widespread unified social action. And when that happens, social action. And when that happens, social action. And when that happens, it's not surrealism. It's going to it's not surrealism. It's going to it's not surrealism. It's going to provide the answers. provide the answers. provide the answers. The West is going to need Christianity.

The West is going to need Christianity. The West is going to need Christianity. Again, Again, Again, remember, religions thrive under at remember, religions thrive under at remember, religions thrive under at least moderate threats. They create that least moderate threats. They create that least moderate threats. They create that need that's always there, but they make need that's always there, but they make need that's always there, but they make that need known and widespread. that need known and widespread. that need known and widespread. Three options that I see and I've heard Three options that I see and I've heard Three options that I see and I've heard of from leaders in these secular of from leaders in these secular of from leaders in these secular countries. The first threat to countries. The first threat to countries. The first threat to secularism secularism secularism and an opportunity then for Christianity and an opportunity then for Christianity and an opportunity then for Christianity is the rise of Islam and that is is the rise of Islam and that is is the rise of Islam and that is especially through immigration since especially through immigration since especially through immigration since 2015. 2015 is certainly that that date 2015. 2015 is certainly that that date 2015. 2015 is certainly that that date where a lot of these concerns had had where a lot of these concerns had had where a lot of these concerns had had peaked. peaked. peaked. Islam and secular humanism make strange Islam and secular humanism make strange Islam and secular humanism make strange bedfellows despite their shared bedfellows despite their shared bedfellows despite their shared opposition to Christendom. opposition to Christendom. opposition to Christendom. Even Sweden today is not happy after its Even Sweden today is not happy after its Even Sweden today is not happy after its failure to integrate large numbers of failure to integrate large numbers of failure to integrate large numbers of Muslim immigrants. Muslim immigrants. Muslim immigrants. One of the major problems with the One of the major problems with the One of the major problems with the post-war consensus post-war consensus post-war consensus and the way that Christianity was and the way that Christianity was and the way that Christianity was translated into this universal respect translated into this universal respect translated into this universal respect for human dignity is that when you for human dignity is that when you for human dignity is that when you forget where these ideas came from, you forget where these ideas came from, you forget where these ideas came from, you forget what makes your society forget what makes your society forget what makes your society different.

different. different. And much of Europe is finding out that And much of Europe is finding out that And much of Europe is finding out that many Muslims don't share their drives, many Muslims don't share their drives, many Muslims don't share their drives, don't share their vision for the public don't share their vision for the public don't share their vision for the public good. And so the rise of Islam could good. And so the rise of Islam could good. And so the rise of Islam could make the secular West go looking for make the secular West go looking for make the secular West go looking for support and turn back to Christianity support and turn back to Christianity support and turn back to Christianity for survival. for survival. for survival. Hopefully again, not merely as some sort Hopefully again, not merely as some sort Hopefully again, not merely as some sort of political tool, but as the source of of political tool, but as the source of of political tool, but as the source of genuine spiritual awakening. genuine spiritual awakening. genuine spiritual awakening. The second threat to secularism and The second threat to secularism and The second threat to secularism and opportunity for Christianity is related. opportunity for Christianity is related. opportunity for Christianity is related. The secular west is not the only place The secular west is not the only place The secular west is not the only place that is currently suffering a collapse that is currently suffering a collapse that is currently suffering a collapse in fertility. in fertility. in fertility. But the awareness of that collapse But the awareness of that collapse But the awareness of that collapse started in the Nordics in these started in the Nordics in these started in the Nordics in these countries. countries. countries. It's not just a problem that the social It's not just a problem that the social It's not just a problem that the social welfare system depends on younger welfare system depends on younger welfare system depends on younger workers and younger taxpayers. workers and younger taxpayers. workers and younger taxpayers. It's that a society that won't get It's that a society that won't get It's that a society that won't get married or have children is a society married or have children is a society married or have children is a society that has lost a sense of purpose, of that has lost a sense of purpose, of that has lost a sense of purpose, of sacrifice, and even of hope.

sacrifice, and even of hope. sacrifice, and even of hope. And given the higher fertility rates And given the higher fertility rates And given the higher fertility rates right now in many Islamic countries, right now in many Islamic countries, right now in many Islamic countries, Europe may face a simple math problem Europe may face a simple math problem Europe may face a simple math problem within one or two generations. within one or two generations. within one or two generations. Question is, could Christianity restore Question is, could Christianity restore Question is, could Christianity restore hope? Could Christianity offer a vision hope? Could Christianity offer a vision hope? Could Christianity offer a vision for giving life to a new generation that for giving life to a new generation that for giving life to a new generation that would steward the culture and values of would steward the culture and values of would steward the culture and values of these beautiful countries? these beautiful countries? these beautiful countries? That's the second uh threat to That's the second uh threat to That's the second uh threat to secularism and opportunity perhaps for secularism and opportunity perhaps for secularism and opportunity perhaps for Christianity. The third threat to Christianity. The third threat to Christianity. The third threat to secularism, opportunity for Christianity secularism, opportunity for Christianity secularism, opportunity for Christianity is even more pressing and it can change is even more pressing and it can change is even more pressing and it can change in an instant. There were not many out in an instant. There were not many out in an instant. There were not many out there who thought Sweden and Finland there who thought Sweden and Finland there who thought Sweden and Finland would join NATO until all of a sudden would join NATO until all of a sudden would join NATO until all of a sudden they moved quickly to join NATO after they moved quickly to join NATO after they moved quickly to join NATO after Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine. The end of this post-war consensus has The end of this post-war consensus has The end of this post-war consensus has created and centered ultimately concerns created and centered ultimately concerns created and centered ultimately concerns about basic security and survival once about basic security and survival once about basic security and survival once again as was the case for so many years again as was the case for so many years again as was the case for so many years in these countries.

in these countries. in these countries. In fact, drones had swarmed and shut In fact, drones had swarmed and shut In fact, drones had swarmed and shut down the Copenhagen airport just hours down the Copenhagen airport just hours down the Copenhagen airport just hours as I left. as I left. as I left. An authoritarian axis between Russia, An authoritarian axis between Russia, An authoritarian axis between Russia, China, and North Korea could put much of China, and North Korea could put much of China, and North Korea could put much of the democratic secular West in imminent the democratic secular West in imminent the democratic secular West in imminent danger. danger. danger. In light of that threat, could In light of that threat, could In light of that threat, could Christianity remind these countries why Christianity remind these countries why Christianity remind these countries why it's worth defending themselves and it's worth defending themselves and it's worth defending themselves and their weaker brothers? Could their their weaker brothers? Could their their weaker brothers? Could their historic faith bring unity to resolve historic faith bring unity to resolve historic faith bring unity to resolve and to meet this challenge, whatever the and to meet this challenge, whatever the and to meet this challenge, whatever the cost, whatever the burden they need to cost, whatever the burden they need to cost, whatever the burden they need to bear. bear. bear. As I think about these three threats to As I think about these three threats to As I think about these three threats to secularism and opportunities for secularism and opportunities for secularism and opportunities for Christianity, especially focused on Christianity, especially focused on Christianity, especially focused on secular Europe, I think once again about secular Europe, I think once again about secular Europe, I think once again about basic reality. basic reality. basic reality. Christianity is the way and the truth Christianity is the way and the truth Christianity is the way and the truth and the life. It is the ultimate reality and the life. It is the ultimate reality and the life. It is the ultimate reality whether or not anyone acknowledges the whether or not anyone acknowledges the whether or not anyone acknowledges the lordship of Christ.

lordship of Christ. lordship of Christ. But in the secular West, But in the secular West, But in the secular West, our biggest hindrance is is the lack of our biggest hindrance is is the lack of our biggest hindrance is is the lack of a perceived or felt need by our a perceived or felt need by our a perceived or felt need by our neighbors. The lack of an imminent neighbors. The lack of an imminent neighbors. The lack of an imminent threat that wakes them up from a secular threat that wakes them up from a secular threat that wakes them up from a secular slumber. slumber. slumber. It's the experience of preaching Romans It's the experience of preaching Romans It's the experience of preaching Romans 8 and everyone else is out there 8 and everyone else is out there 8 and everyone else is out there enjoying a football match. Secular enjoying a football match. Secular enjoying a football match. Secular secularism in Europe, it's like an secularism in Europe, it's like an secularism in Europe, it's like an animal in a habitat with no known animal in a habitat with no known animal in a habitat with no known predators. predators. predators. that Protestantism has given them these that Protestantism has given them these that Protestantism has given them these peaceful and prosperous cities. peaceful and prosperous cities. peaceful and prosperous cities. There's no sense of what's lost if the There's no sense of what's lost if the There's no sense of what's lost if the churches are empty because after all, churches are empty because after all, churches are empty because after all, the buses still run on time, the food the buses still run on time, the food the buses still run on time, the food still shows up on the table, the welfare still shows up on the table, the welfare still shows up on the table, the welfare state still provides. state still provides. state still provides. But that need could become more widely But that need could become more widely But that need could become more widely felt under any or all of these three felt under any or all of these three felt under any or all of these three threats?

threats? threats? And if so, And if so, And if so, how will we respond as Christians? how will we respond as Christians? how will we respond as Christians? As proud Protestants, I hope we'll As proud Protestants, I hope we'll As proud Protestants, I hope we'll respond by believing that the gospel respond by believing that the gospel respond by believing that the gospel brings transformation to individuals and brings transformation to individuals and brings transformation to individuals and societies. It's done it before. We societies. It's done it before. We societies. It's done it before. We believe that it can do it. He can do it believe that it can do it. He can do it believe that it can do it. He can do it again. Like the reformers, we're not again. Like the reformers, we're not again. Like the reformers, we're not going to be content to settle for going to be content to settle for going to be content to settle for outward conformity. outward conformity. outward conformity. And I hope we will also respond by not And I hope we will also respond by not And I hope we will also respond by not trying to resolve that tension between trying to resolve that tension between trying to resolve that tension between the church and culture and political the church and culture and political the church and culture and political authorities. authorities. authorities. Do not [music] fall for the Do not [music] fall for the Do not [music] fall for the establishment shortcut. establishment shortcut. establishment shortcut. It's another dead end. It's another dead end. It's another dead end. Jesus told us to expect tribulation and Jesus told us to expect tribulation and Jesus told us to expect tribulation and he promised to carry us through any he promised to carry us through any he promised to carry us through any trials. trials. trials. He will not fail us in the secular west He will not fail us in the secular west He will not fail us in the secular west either.

Thanks for listening to this episode of Thanks for listening to this episode of Gospelbound. For more interviews and to Gospelbound. For more interviews and to Gospelbound. For more interviews and to sign up for my newsletter, head over to sign up for my newsletter, head over to sign up for my newsletter, head over to tgc.org/gosspelbound. org/gosspelbound. tgc.org/gosspelbound. org/gosspelbound. tgc.org/gosspelbound. org/gosspelbound. Rate and review Gospelbound on your Rate and review Gospelbound on your Rate and review Gospelbound on your favorite podcast platform so others can favorite podcast platform so others can favorite podcast platform so others can join the conversation. Until next time, join the conversation. Until next time, join the conversation. Until next time, remember, when we're bound to the remember, when we're bound to the remember, when we're bound to the [music] gospel, we abound in hope.