The sociologist Peter Berger first coined the phrase “plausibility structures” to describe the core feelings that people have when they approach particular claims, beliefs, values and ideas. In short they bring a sense of whether something or someone is credible before they have even heard the individual declare their case. Christianity, the church and the Bible have all failed to pass the plausibility structures that most people live with and that has made the task of evangelism and mission extraordinarily difficult in the west in recent times.
Further evidence that this is the case comes from the recent court case in which a Christian who did not feel able to offer advice on sexual therapy to a homosexual couple and who had been sacked lost his appeal. Common sense solutions were ignored and the judge indulged in a fairly vitriolic pronouncement about the lack of a factual basis or reason in Christian commitment.
The latest edition of the Theos newsletter tells as that the Theos Director, Paul Woolley, was invited back to the Oxford Union recently to debate the motion ‘This House Believes that Religion is a Force for Good in the World.’ The newsletter continues, “In addition to Paul, the proposition benches comprised Lord Harries, Adrian Wooldridge, The Economist’s Management Editor and ‘Schumpeter’ columnist, and Giles Rowe, Director and co-founder of Henderson Rowe Ltd. On the opposition benches were Andrew Copson, Chief Executive of the British Humanist Association, Peter Atkins, Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford and Simon Blackburn, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cambridge.
In his speech, Paul Woolley said ‘I’m not going to argue that all religion is a force for good in the world anymore than I would argue that all people are. The events of 9/11 were evil. Religion, like any ideology, can be sectarian, divisive, exclusive and violent. However, religious conviction is unexceptional in this regard. Atheistic conviction has itself inspired terrible acts of violence and oppression… The evidence for the proposition, whether measured in the transformed lives of individuals or the renewal of communities, is overwhelming.’ The motion was defeated by 40 votes.
At a local level there is evidence that local churches are winning favour with the communities they serve. At an international and national level there is some evidence that the intellectual climate is changing in terms of an appreciation that an interest in God is returning. A book with the title God is Back: How the Global Revival of Faith is Changing our World” written by the editor of the Economist in the UK draws attention to the way in which the climate of opinion may be changing but there is a long way to go.
As Christians we have no choice but to engage in the very long term debate which will change the plausibility structures which shape the thought of so many in the West. That is a missionary enterprise which not all are called to. It demands an intellectual rigour and courage which stands beside the local witness of thousands of churches across the western world. We can’t expect an immediate victory in this area but, over time, patiently, thoughtfully, eventually we must win this intellectual battle if the church is going to significantly advance its mission in the west.