Christians living in hostile times
Earlier this year, I read Carl Trueman’s The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. It’s a devastating survey of the history that’s led to the expressive individualism and sexual revolution of our current cultural moment. Trueman uncovers the tensions and contradictions present in commonly held cultural assumptions. But he’s also frank about the mammoth task Christians face in holding to biblical ethics, morals, and values. It’s unlikely to become easier to be faithful to Scripture in the coming days. A book like Trueman’s raises questions: How can Christianity survive such a hostile onslaught? Do we have a survival strategy? The familiar narrative of Daniel 6 answers these questions with the foundational truth that God rules over all—even in the most hostile environments. Daniel’s confidence in God’s absolute authority encourages us to adopt three postures in the face of hostility. Obedience in the Face of Danger As the curtain rises on Daniel 6, there’s a new king in town: Darius. As t...