Francis Berger
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A "Better Than Nothing" Understanding Is A Start But Hardly Adequate

11/15/2023

2 Comments

 
Some traditional/conventional/mainstream Christians appear to be waking up to the reality that external forms of Christianity are collapsing or have collapsed entirely.

Thankfully, many maintain their faith despite this cratering and are beginning to acknowledge that Christianity will inevitably be simpler, more individualistic, and more other-worldly-focused going forward.

Such acknowledgment is no small feat, especially considering how most traditional/conventional/mainstream Christians understand, define, and view Christianity. Understandably, the acknowledgment is a bitter one. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that they have resigned themselves to the consolation that it is "better than nothing."

Most traditional/conventional/mainstream Christians yearn for a Christianity that resembles past Christianity, with all of its inherent social, political, and intellectual dominance intact. Such Christians see little "upside" in a form of Christianity that lacks some or all of these attributes.

To such Christians, I offer the following -- I know where you are coming from and sympathize to a certain degree; however, I think the implications of a "better than nothing" attitude require deeper contemplation.

To suggest that current circumstances might be "the best thing ever" would be too much for most to accept.

​Yet, a simpler, more individualistic, more other-worldly focused Christianity is incontestably "the best thing given current conditions" and undeniably better than the baser, collective, this-worldly "faith communities" parading around under the guise of Christianity today. 

2 Comments
bruce g charlton
11/17/2023 14:21:44

Another problem with a world-view that is inadequate but "better than nothing" is that people may Get Stuck in it. Because it is better than nothing, people may cling to its palliative comforts, and therefore reject a more complete and adequate understanding when that conflicts with the halfway house.

This was my case for at least a couple of decades. I had adopted a 'partly Christian' - postmodern, non-realist, liberal - kind of Christian practice; which I found psychologically much more sustaining that plain atheism - but which did not suffice. Yet I was loth to give up this partial truth for the uncharted waters of uncompromising truth.

In other words; a Better Than Nothing world-view is not necessarily A Start - but all too often the final destination; as I would probably have discovered if I had died 20 years ago!

Reply
Francis Berger
11/18/2023 09:23:52

@ Bruce - Yes, that's a good point.

I suppose all starts can end up as final destinations if one lacks the motivation, insight, and courage to move beyond the start phase.

Better than nothing is also extremely susceptible to apathy, torpor, inertia, and passivity, which is the opposite of what is needed after one decides to make a "start".

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