The New Apologetics: At the Intersection of Secularism, Science, and Spirituality

Ian S. Markham argues that contemporary skepticism about Christianity is more a mood than an intellectual repudiation and that the church should adopt a rich, imaginative account of the world grounded in Christian revelation to be a genuinely inclusive church.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2022
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

Skepticism about Christianity is pervasive in contemporary society. Building upon the insights of Charles Taylor, Ian S. Markham contends that skepticism is not merely an intellectual rejection of Christian theology but rather a prevailing mood that permeates society. In its quest to align with scientific advancements, the church often resorts to deistic interpretations that strip away the spiritual essence from the material realm. Markham, in contrast, advocates for a robust and imaginative portrayal of the world that is firmly rooted in Christian revelation. He embraces spiritual causation, the existence of angels, and the reality of saints. This call is a rallying cry for the Western church to draw lessons from the vibrant churches in the Global South and develop a theology that truly embodies its professed values as a genuinely inclusive and transformative force in the world.

The church's attempt to accommodate science often leads to deistic responses that strip away the spiritual aspect from the material world. Markham argues for a rich and imaginative account of the world that is grounded in Christian revelation, affirming spiritual causation, angels, and the reality of the saints. He believes that the Western church should learn from the churches in the Global South and develop a theology that lives up to its professed values as a genuinely inclusive and transformative force in the world.

Markham's perspective challenges the prevailing notion that skepticism is solely an intellectual rejection of Christianity. He suggests that skepticism is more a mood or a cultural phenomenon that reflects the broader societal shift towards materialism and secularism. The church, in response, needs to embrace a more holistic and imaginative understanding of the world that incorporates the spiritual dimensions and recognizes the significance of the supernatural.

By drawing from the experiences and insights of churches in the Global South, the Western church can develop a theology that is more relevant and responsive to the needs of a diverse and rapidly changing world. This theology should be rooted in the Christian revelation but also be open to the wisdom and insights of other faiths and cultures. It should be inclusive and transformative, seeking to bring about positive change in individuals and society as a whole.

In conclusion, skepticism about Christianity is a significant challenge that the Western church must address. By building on the work of Charles Taylor and Ian S. Markham, the church can develop a theology that is rich, imaginative, and grounded in Christian revelation. This theology should embrace spiritual causation, angels, and the reality of the saints, while also being inclusive and transformative. By learning from the churches in the Global South, the Western church can create a theology that lives up to its professed values and plays a vital role in shaping a more compassionate and just world.

Weight: 370g
Dimension: 152 x 229 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781978711365