{"id":7813,"date":"2020-01-30T11:41:21","date_gmt":"2020-01-30T15:41:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/?p=7813"},"modified":"2020-01-30T12:29:47","modified_gmt":"2020-01-30T16:29:47","slug":"learning-to-live-in-a-secular-age-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/blog\/learning-to-live-in-a-secular-age-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning to Live in a Secular Age – Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_position=”right” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”left” phone_text_alignment=”left” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Editor’s Note:<\/strong>
\nThis article was written for the Intersection<\/a> blog of Telos Collective<\/em> a gateway for reflection on the gospel and culture of the Anglican Church in North America. The author, Trevor Potter, is a pastor of the Emmaus community in Montr\u00e9al.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Due to the complex nature of the subject matter, the author has chosen to include a glossary of terms at the end of the article, borrowed from James K.A. Smith in his book, How (Not) to Be Secular, a work that translates into everyday language the masterful work of Montr\u00e9al philosopher Charles Taylor, L’\u00e2ge s\u00e9culier.<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”]

<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” bottom_padding=”40″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

An evening with Charles Taylor<\/h1>\n

SECOND PART (read the first part<\/a>)[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Dr. Taylor\u2019s responses often centered around paradox and mystery. To be reductive imprisons us within the imminent framework. The only way to break out, to poke holes in the imminent frame that we have constructed for ourselves where all meaning and significance is found apart for God, is to invite people into paradox and mystery. We must learn to celebrate and rejoice in the paradoxes of the faith, for there, we enter into a more robust and rich faith. Dr. Taylor reflected on W.H. Auden\u2019s words: \u201cThat there are those who believe still, and those who believe again.\u201d For Dr. Taylor, to \u201cbelieve again\u201d was to leave the reductive, fundamentalist expressions of the faith and to come to a more mature, robust faith that celebrates mystery and finds joy in paradox.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_color=”#ffe933″ scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”100″ bottom_padding=”100″ overlay_strength=”1″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/12″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

We have to be open to the other, not closed-off, thinking we have all the answers, but open to being surprised by the other.<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”5\/12″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”40″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Dr. Taylor spoke of our need to appreciate the fact that Jesus was surprised by the Roman centurion\u2019s faith in Matt. 8. We too need to be open to being surprised by the other. We need to be willing to learn from those around us\u2014not just to listen for our turn to talk, but truly listen and learn from secular-searchers, Muslims, and Jews, and Hindus, etc. We have to be open to the other, not closed-off, thinking we have all the answers, but open to being surprised by the other. Meanwhile, of course, we invite the other into the mystery and paradox of the Christian faith that causes us to join with the centurion at the foot of the dead Jesus\u2019 cross, and exclaim, \u201cTruly this was the Son of God!\u201d (Matt. 27:54).<\/p>\n

James K.A. Smith continues, in his preface of How (Not) To Be Secular:[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”2\/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\u201c[Y]our \u2018secular\u2019 neighbors aren\u2019t looking for \u2018answers\u2019 \u2013 for some bit of information that is missing from their mental maps. To the contrary, they have completely different maps. You\u2019ve realized that instead of nagging questions about God or the afterlife, your neighbors are oriented by all sorts of longings and \u2018projects\u2019 and quests for significance. There doesn\u2019t seem to be anything \u2018missing\u2019 from their lives \u2013 so you can\u2019t just come proclaiming the good news of a Jesus who fills their \u2018God-shaped hole.\u2019 They don\u2019t have any sense that the \u2018secular\u2019 lives they\u2019ve constructed are missing a second floor. In many ways, they have constructed webs of meaning that provide almost all the significance they need in their lives (though a lot hinges on that \u2018almost\u2019).\u201d<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/6″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” bottom_padding=”40″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]For Dr. Taylor, the role of the Christian isn\u2019t to be the teacher \u2013 telling people why their beliefs are wrong and instructing them in the better way. Instead, he told us a better image is that of a guide or an accompanier\u2014being with them, walking with them, learning from them, but also showing them, in your life and actions another way. This way is in step with the transcendent and loving God, expressing the kenotic agape of God. It is generous and compassionate and full of grace. Dr. Taylor does believes that re-enchantment is possible (though it is different from the enchanted worldview of the past), but it occurs through an experience of grace, not a didactic lesson. That doesn\u2019t mean we aren\u2019t to preach and teach\u2014Dr. Taylor was clear about that\u2014but our preaching and teaching has to be different. It has to communicate the grace of God and the call towards transcendence through an experience of mystery and paradox, and a demonstration of God\u2019s kenotic love.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_background” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_color=”#ffe933″ scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”100″ bottom_padding=”100″ overlay_strength=”1″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”7\/12″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/3″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Dr. Taylor does believes that re-enchantment is possible (though it is different from the enchanted worldview of the past), but it occurs through an experience of grace, not a didactic lesson.<\/h3>\n[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/12″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”60″ bottom_padding=”60″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]In A Secular Age Dr. Taylor makes two predictions: 1) That people would become more and more dissatisfied with the fallacy of secularism2<\/sup><\/strong> (the idea that things will get better and better because we\u2019re less religious), and 2) That this dissatisfaction will lead to new searches for transcendence. I asked if he still stood behind those predictions, as A Secular Age was written between 1996-2006. He said, \u201cYes.\u201d He believes the fallacy of secularism2<\/sup><\/strong> is becoming more and more apparent, and people are searching more for transcendence. There are days when I feel as optimistic as Dr. Taylor does, and others when David Bentley Hart\u2019s comment that the problem today is \u201cmetaphysical boredom\u201d seems all too true. However, I am going to choose to believe in the wisdom of Dr. Taylor and seek to be more attentive to people\u2019s searches for transcendence, and in honesty and openness and vulnerability seek to help them find life in the paradox of the Christian faith.<\/p>\n

I became a Christian at the age of 19. But I still fall prey to wanting to teach my family and friends into the Kingdom of God. I still want to prove to them why God is real and true, and why following Jesus is the way to true meaning and significance and purpose and joy. Maybe what I need to do is invite them into the mystery of the Triune God. Maybe I need to listen for moments when they are trying to poke holes in the imminent frame, and to help guide them towards the paradox of the crucified Messiah and life through death by the power of the Spirit.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]This article was previously published on the Telos Collective blog. Used with permission. Convergence Quebec 2018.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” top_padding=”0″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”]

<\/div><\/div>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” bottom_padding=”60″ overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/1″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]\n

Glossary of Terms Used<\/h2>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_row_inner column_margin=”default” text_align=”left”][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Age of authenticity:<\/strong><\/em> Post-1960\u2019s age in which spirituality is de-institutionalized and is understood primarily as an expression of \u201cwhat speaks to me.\u201d Reflective of expressive individualism. (Smith)<\/p>\n

Cross-pressure:<\/strong><\/em> The simultaneous pressure of various spiritual options; or the feeling of being caught between an echo of transcendence and the drive toward immanentization. Produces the nova effect. (Smith)<\/p>\n

Disenchantment:<\/strong><\/em> A loss of transcendence, where all meaning and significance is found within the immanent frame.<\/p>\n

Exclusive humanism:<\/strong><\/em> A worldview or social imaginary that is able to account for meaning and significance without any appeal to the divine transcendence. (Smith)<\/p>\n

Fragilization: <\/strong><\/em>In the face of different options, where people who lead \u201cnormal\u201d lives do not share my faith (and perhaps believe something very different), my own faith commitment becomes fragile \u2013 put into question, dubitable. (Smith)<\/p>\n

Immanent frame:<\/strong><\/em> A constructed social space that frames our lives entirely within a natural (rather than supernatural) order. It is the circumscribed space of the modern social imaginary that precludes transcendence. (Smith)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text]Moral deism:<\/strong><\/em> God is reduced to a Creator who sets all things in motion and watches over us to punish or reward us based upon our moral behaviour.<\/p>\n

Secular1<\/sup>:<\/strong><\/em> A more \u201cclassical\u201d definition of secular, as distinguished from the sacred \u2013 the earthly plane of domestic life. Priests tend the sacred; butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers carry out \u201csecular\u201d work. (Smith)<\/p>\n

Secular2<\/sup>:<\/strong><\/em> A more \u201cmodern\u201d definition of the secular as areligious \u2013 neutral, unbiased, \u201cobjective\u201d \u2013 as in a \u201csecular\u201d public square. (Smith)<\/p>\n

Secular3<\/sup>:<\/strong><\/em> Taylor\u2019s notion of the secular as an age of contested belief, where religious belief is no longer axiomatic. It\u2019s possible to imagine not believing in God. (Smith)<\/p>\n

Stakes of conformity:<\/strong><\/em> People conform when they believe they have more to lose by being detected in deviance than they stand to gain from the deviant act. (Stark)[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row type=”full_width_content” full_screen_row_position=”middle” equal_height=”yes” content_placement=”middle” bg_image=”7366″ bg_position=”center center” bg_repeat=”no-repeat” parallax_bg=”true” parallax_bg_speed=”medium” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”left-right” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/4″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][vc_column centered_text=”true” column_padding=”padding-8-percent” column_padding_position=”top-bottom” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_custom_heading text=”HAVE A FRIEND WHO MIGHT BE INTERESTED TO READ THIS ARTICLE ?” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23ffe933″ google_fonts=”font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” link=”|||” css=”.vc_custom_1580401636797{padding-top: 10% !important;}”]

<\/div><\/div>[nectar_btn size=”jumbo” open_new_tab=”true” button_style=”regular” button_color_2=”Accent-Color” icon_family=”none” el_class=”center” text=”SHARE IT WITH THAT PERSON NOW!”][\/vc_column][vc_column column_padding=”no-extra-padding” column_padding_position=”all” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/4″ tablet_text_alignment=”default” phone_text_alignment=”default” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

[vc_row type=”in_container” full_screen_row_position=”middle” scene_position=”center” text_color=”dark” text_align=”left” overlay_strength=”0.3″ shape_divider_position=”bottom” shape_type=””][vc_column column_padding=”padding-2-percent” column_padding_position=”right” background_color_opacity=”1″ background_hover_color_opacity=”1″ column_shadow=”none” column_border_radius=”none” width=”1\/2″ tablet_text_alignment=”left” phone_text_alignment=”left” column_border_width=”none” column_border_style=”solid”][vc_column_text] Editor’s Note: This article was…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":7768,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-7813","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-shining-forth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7813","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7813"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7813\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7824,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7813\/revisions\/7824"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7813"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7813"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/missionqc.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7813"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}