There are certain moments in history, such as the end of the Roman Empire or the Enlightenment, when it becomes more obvious how much the cultural ground is shifting. In such moments, the cultural norms that once fostered social cohesion and defined the good life change. Shared ways of thinking, for example, the definitions of words, can no longer be taken for granted.
It’s precisely at these historical hinge points that Christians must “re-catechize” themselves. This means we must recommit to what is true and good, and reground who we are and how we live in the unchanging, overarching story of redemption outlined in Scripture.
We are living in one of these historical hinge points. And, if we take seriously what Paul told the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens, God intentionally put us in this time and this place. Or, to quote something Tim Tebow said at the “Preparing for a Post-Roe World” event at the recent Wilberforce Weekend, “Anyone who has been rescued is now on the rescue team.”
God has called the Colson Center to help Christians navigate this consequential cultural moment, to become more deeply grounded in the True Story of reality, and to embrace their calling to this time and this place.
In fact, every resource the Colson Center offers is designed to provide either (a) Christian worldview analysis on culture (that’s Breakpoint, The Point, and the What Would You Say? video series), (b) a deeper dive into Christian worldview, one that counters the dominant cultural narratives (that’s the Upstream and Strong Women podcasts, short courses, and Wilberforce Weekend), and (c) in-depth formation in Christian wisdom and leadership (that’s the Colson Fellows program and the Colson Educators collective).
Our founder, Chuck Colson, realized that things were changing—he could see it—and that the Church needed to prepare for what lies ahead. We’ve embraced that call fully, and as our podcasts, conferences, training, and events continue to grow, we sense that more and more Christians are sensing that they need to go deeper in their understanding of truth. This year’s Wilberforce Weekend event was the largest yet and featured the commissioning of the largest class of Colson Fellows yet. We anticipate over a 1,000 Colson Fellows in next year’s class, studying in nearly 60 regional cohorts and over 40 church affiliates. That’s amazing. The Colson Educators collective is an investment into the training and formation of thousands of Christian educators, at a time—right now—where it is crucial for Christian education. And this year, by God’s grace, the Colson Center will launch a new, online education in public theology that every Christian can access. We believe that every Christian can live like one in this time and this place. And that’s exactly what they’re called to do.
We didn’t choose to be in this cultural moment, or to face the challenges it presents. Our time and our place in history are chosen by God. Our moment in history is not an accidental context in which we try to follow Jesus. It’s actually part of the calling to follow Jesus. He invites us into His life and to join in the advance of His kingdom and His story right now.
So, if Breakpoint or any of the Colson Center ministries have been helpful to you, as a parent, grandparent, citizen, employee, leader, or neighbor, please prayerfully consider partnering with us with a fiscal-year-end gift. Any gift given by Thursday, June 30, 2022, will help the Colson Center plan to more effectively to obey the call God has for the Colson Center the year ahead. Imagine if more Christians could live with the clarity, confidence, and courage that only a Christian worldview offers. That’s what this is all about.
To give a gift, please go to ColsonCenter.org/June.
Publication date: June 28, 2022
Photo courtesy: Rod Long
John Stonestreet is President of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and radio host of BreakPoint, a daily national radio program providing thought-provoking commentaries on current events and life issues from a biblical worldview. John holds degrees from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) and Bryan College (TN), and is the co-author of Making Sense of Your World: A Biblical Worldview.
The views expressed in this commentary do not necessarily reflect those of CrosswalkHeadlines.
BreakPoint is a program of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. BreakPoint commentaries offer incisive content people can't find anywhere else; content that cuts through the fog of relativism and the news cycle with truth and compassion. Founded by Chuck Colson (1931 – 2012) in 1991 as a daily radio broadcast, BreakPoint provides a Christian perspective on today's news and trends. Today, you can get it in written and a variety of audio formats: on the web, the radio, or your favorite podcast app on the go.
