Renn\u2019s essay categorizes the recent history of evangelicalism in the United States into three periods, or worlds. In the positive world, Christianity was in a position of cultural dominance; most Americans, even those who were not particularly religious, recognized the importance of Christianity to the country\u2019s collective moral fabric. In the neutral world, the broader culture came to see Christianity not as uniquely good, but still as a belief system and worldview doing more good than harm.<\/p>\n
Since the early 2010s\u2014the dates themselves, Renn admits, are not binding\u2014evangelicalism has been in the negative world. Here, culture and its elites are inherently suspicious of evangelical Christianity, especially when it challenges or conflicts with emerging, more attractive ideologies. Christians in the negative world, according to Renn, will encounter resistance to previously acceptable beliefs and behaviors. This resistance could take many forms, from simple yet pronounced disagreement all the way to the dreaded C-word: cancellation.<\/p>\n
Less than two years after his essay, Renn\u2019s book, Life in the Negative World: Confronting Challenges in an Anti-Christian Culture, updates and elaborates on his framework and provides tangible resources for Christians concerned about this cultural transformation. Renn\u2019s work, he admits, is not pastoral, nor is it necessarily prescriptive. Rather, drawing on his experience in the world of management consulting, he proposes a way forward for American evangelicals wanting to adapt to the new normal in faithful and prophetic ways\u2014that is, to be in the negative world while refusing to be of the negative world.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n In his new book, @aaron_renn<\/a> offers \u201cstrategies for theologically conservative evangelicals finding themselves gradually alone in and at odds with the negative world.\u201d@danielrbenn<\/a> reviews \u201cLife in the Negative World\u201d: https:\/\/t.co\/iHmlAKZHKC<\/a><\/p>\n — Christianity Today (@CTmagazine) May 11, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n