In part 1, we explored how God’s blessing to Britain has been worked out in the past. Here we look further at this and at some practical responses.

Equipping the saints

“All of us are being discipled...either by God's Word or the culture around us.” (Tom Ascol)

“If the Church only proclaims an anthropocentric ‘individual gospel’, those brought into the fold will readily lose their way in God's creation, where their lives of necessity are being lived. They will again be enslaved by foreign lords.” (Bernard Zylstra)

All the foundational people mentioned in part 1 had a love for God at the heart of their motivation. The preaching of grace was paramount, the fruit of which, in ordinary Christians, was the transformation of British society. The close relationship between following God and the flourishing of community does not surprise us – following the Maker’s instructions is a key motivation of the Mosaic law. “Honour your father and mother” – which is the first commandment with a promise – “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Eph 6:2-3, Deut 5:16).

The close relationship between following God and the flourishing of community does not surprise us.

So, following God’s ways is not just a personal, private approach for us – if we really want to help others we must get them to follow His ways too; first, if needed, in self-interest, second in conviction. This kind of ethic is shown by Thomas Sydenham, ‘the Father of English medicine’, to his students in 1668, at the start of the period of real growth for Britain.

“Whoever applies himself to medicine should seriously weigh the following considerations:
• First that he will one day have to render an account to the Supreme Judge of the lives of sick people entrusted to his care.
• Next, by whatever skill or knowledge he may, by the divine favour become possessed of, should be devoted above all things to the glory of God and the welfare of the human race.
• Thirdly, he must remember that it is no mean or ignoble creature that he deals with... God's only begotten Son became man...
• Finally, the physician should bear in mind that he ... is subject to the same laws of mortality … and will [therefore] care for the sick with more diligence and tenderness.”

So, we need to be confident of these points as applied to our own work, and expect it of others, so that “by whatever skill or knowledge we may, by the divine favour, become possessed of”, what we do should result in God’s glory and mankind’s benefit.

This means grappling with all the many things going on around us that are not for the glory of God, because these will, by definition, not be for the welfare of the human race.

Good news for all of life

All this may well come with the possible cost of ridicule or cancelling or even arrest(!) but they are things that need to be said. Some will recognise that many Christians are actually speaking helpful truth and have the courage to do so. They may then start to believe that there is a God of truth and love, and begin to feel attracted to Him.

Church as conscience of the state

“I tell you … if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out” (Luke 19:40).

At a wider level, Bonhoeffer said “The church is the conscience of the state”. Livingstone saw this massively in Africa, protesting slave trading by Portuguese and Arabs. At his death, the British Government enforced its ban in east and west Africa and developed inland trade routes to help the people prosper.

A study has been made of how nations touched by missionary activity have flourished, and it shows a strong positive correlation compared with those that have not.

Interestingly, some outside the Church are discovering, through God’s providence, moral/Christian life truths that some Christians have given up affirming. Nina Power, author of ‘What Do Men Want’, or Mary Harrington (see ‘Women’s Liberation Has Left Women in a Hell of Their Own Making’) are rediscovering through observation what has always been godly wisdom.

Interestingly, some outside the Church are discovering, through God’s providence, moral/Christian life truths that some Christians have given up affirming.

Meanwhile, Times columnist Matthew Parris said: “As an atheist, I truly believe Africa needs God. Missionaries, not aid money, are the solution to Africa's biggest problem – the crushing passivity of the people’s mindset.”

Even renowned atheist Richard Dawkins has recognised some benefits to Christianity in our culture: “I have mixed feelings about the decline of Christianity, in so far as Christianity might be a bulwark against something worse.”

Prosperity

In a sense there is a ‘Prosperity Gospel’  – but it’s for the others, not first for us. “But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare [shalom] you will find your welfare” (Jer 29:7 RSV).

In a sense there is a ‘Prosperity Gospel’  – but it’s for the others, not first for us.

So, we all need to question our culture in every area – which by default is going to be marked by the fall, though providential goodness arises – and seek to affirm God’s way as it will be good for all.

We see Daniel doing this in multiple ways: prayer, prophecy, his fearless proclamation of his faith in God, even under persecution, and in his integrity in his civil administration work, God giving success. There is a strong sense of us all serving God, which is always a good place to be!

Judgement

It’s sobering to think that our nation has no natural right to flourish, to be in the G20 or whatever. The lost churches of Revelation were a shock to me. Will we last much longer? Do we not need God’s justice to correct us? This relates to our churches but where they go so our communities go, as we see in the Bible.

Preaching repentance is vital, and often overlooked. As a nation, we have turned away from God, and judgement comes through a natural consequence as few seek to live God’s way.

However, following repentance comes joy. The returning Israelites rediscovered the law and it was read to them and as they understood... they wept. Nehemiah then said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength” (Neh 8:10).

Things have been pretty bloody in the past and God has brought revival and community renewal.

Some say that things cannot be recovered, and that may be true, in God’s plan. But things have been pretty bloody in the past and God has brought revival and community renewal. Surely it’s exciting to live for the glory of the God of love in every way we can. Our witness to His deep goodness may be the first evidence of God many will see.

Application points

• Understand how Christians living God’s ways have impacted culture – be amazed and encouraged and pass on God’s answers in ordinary conversations.
• Encourage Christians to see that God has all the culture answers His world needs. He is way ahead of us in all areas of life, there is no true gender studies, sociology, biology, climatology... outside the realm of the creator. This can be done as part of normal sermons, especially with an emphasis on application.
• Understand and share that we’re all in this together: what’s good/bad for Christians is good/bad for all people. We need to get rid of the idea that we don’t do certain things ‘because I’m a Christian’.
• Invite a speaker from Christian Concern, Christian Institute etc to talk about how they are motivated by the Gospel to confront cultural and personal evil.

Jon Sharp has worked as a software dev and latterly as a cultural apologist. He is founder of the website Knowing the Times