The Negative World: An Occasion for Some Hope

https://julieroys.com/aaron-renn-might-be-right-christians-face-negative-world-but-is-it-new/

After months of hearing on the radio and from podcasts and pulpits about 'the negative world' and Aaron Renn's interpretive paradigm, it's refreshing to discover at least a few voices that recognize his narrative as problematic.

I would go much further and argue that it represents unbiblical, uninformed, and perhaps even delusional thinking. The fact that this ridiculous theory has been floated and subsequently embraced and endorsed is (as I see it) an indictment of the Evangelical movement - a somewhat startling testimony to its compromise and worldliness.

I'll go further. The fact that it has gained so much traction is actually a cause for concern. There should be more open rejection of his corrupt, myopic, and frankly lame interpretation.

The world has always been opposed to Biblical Christianity. The False Church has always been opposed to it and has persecuted it. This is nothing new. Biblically faithful Christians didn't start feeling the tension in the 1990's - or even the 1890's. Renn's entire arguments begs the question - resting on false assumptions regarding the Church and its relationship to the world and the culture.

A few thinkers have resorted to the Biblical vs. Cultural Christianity juxtaposition to try and make sense of Renn's otherwise incoherent thesis. In terms of 'Cultural Christianity', his theory can be reckoned plausible but in terms of Biblical Christianity - his thesis is prima facie absurd. Given that the Cultural Christianity paradigm itself relies on error and unbiblical thinking and categories - where does that leave us? It's very simple - 'Life in the Negative World' can be tossed into the round file.

But it tickles the ears of those who are feeling angst over losing their standing and their wealth. This is why his message resonates.

At least there are a few voices who recognize it for what it is - a farce.

The New Testament teachings that all who are in Christ Jesus will face persecution. If the Church is living on Easy Street - then it's safe to say that it's flirting with apostasy if not already there. The romanticised ideal that some like Renn want to celebrate is in fact the Church in a state of compromise and functional collapse. The exile status he despises is not retreat - it's the normative calling for God's people in the Last Days. We are after all strangers and pilgrims.

I guess Peter was infected with the mindset of 'retreat' when he wrote:

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:

13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

It would seem that to Christ (in John 15), Peter, and the other apostles - what Renn thinks is a cause for grave concern is in fact what is normative. The real question is why has the Church gotten along for so long in places like the United States? The fact that so few leaders and thinkers have discerned this point is (to this author) the real pressing concern. Perhaps we should speak of the negative Church?

Maybe to be charitable I could say this - even if some come to the 'negative world' understanding by means of bad roads (such as the Renn paradigm), the end result will prove positive. If they abandon their idols, their worldliness, and dreams of status and security, and take the New Testament seriously - it could produce good fruit. But if they cling to false hopes, dead delusions, myths, idols, and mammon - the fruit will prove bitter and ultimately dangerous and destructive.