Friends in Christ,

I. The points of contact / tension between the dominant culture and Christianity continue to increase in number and intensity. Recently, I was interviewed by Pastor Bryan Stecker of Trinity, Waconia for his podcast series, “On the Line,” during which we touched on many of these “points of contact.” Click here to view it.

As you will see, it is a long-format production and so you may not choose to view all of it, but I suspect you’ll at least find parts of it of interest. Recently, several people have suggested that our public policy efforts might be enhanced using this sort of communication format. To better gauge whether that is the case, I’d be interested in any feedback you’d care to offer. I’d also highly recommend subscribing to the podcast.

 II. In recent weeks I’ve noticed a significant increase in references to the paganizing of our culture that many see happening. Given the events of the past two years here in Minnesota, it’s hard not to feel sympathy for this line of argument.

 If this is a topic that interests you (and I think it should), the best book I’ve seen on the subject is a new release by author John Daniel Davidson entitled, “Pagan America: The Decline of Christianity and the Dark Age to Come.” You can judge whether it overstates the degree of change / corruption that has already taken place or not, but it marshals an impressive body of evidence that we Christians need to, at least, be aware of as we consider the nature of our interaction with the culture, and the shape of our Christian witness, in the future.

In Christ,

Rev. Fred Hinz
fred.hinz@mnsdistrict.org
Public Policy Advocate
Minnesota South and North Districts
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod