The privatization of faith is a consequence of the rise of secularism, which aims to compartmentalize faith, confining it to the private sphere. It promotes the idea that faith is personal and should not influence or be manifested in public spaces such as the workplace. This privatization can result in believers feeling hesitant to express their faith openly, for fear of imposing it on others. However, this can lead to a paradoxical situation where secular ideologies are imposed upon an entire generation, while faith is marginalized.
The primary goal of secularism is to privatize your faith.
The rise of technology has further compounded this issue by promoting individualism. The family unit, traditionally a place of shared faith and values, has been disrupted. The rapid societal changes surrounding sex, identity and gender can also make it challenging for individuals to hold onto orthodox Christian positions without fear of being branded as intolerant.
4 “Listen, Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 These words that I am giving you today are to be in your heart. 7 Repeat them to your children. Talk about them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them be a symbol on your forehead. 9 Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your city gates.
10“When the Lord your God brings you into the land he swore to your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob that he would give you — a land with large and beautiful cities that you did not build, 11 houses full of every good thing that you did not fill them with, cisterns that you did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant — and when you eat and are satisfied, 12 be careful not to forget the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the place of slavery. 13 Fear the Lord your God, worship him, and take your oaths in his name.
Deuteronomy 6:4-13
To counter this privatization of faith, it is crucial to prioritize spiritual growth and formation. This can be achieved by creating an environment where faith is openly practiced and discussed. The Shema, a passage from Deuteronomy 6, emphasizes the importance of integrating faith into every aspect of life. It encourages believers to impress their faith upon their children, talk about it at home and on the road, and even symbolically tie it to their hands and foreheads.
Becoming a resilient disciple in a secular age involves resisting the privatization of faith.
Becoming a resilient disciple in a secular age involves resisting the privatization of faith. It requires a commitment to spiritual growth and the creation of an environment where faith is not just a private matter, but permeates every aspect of life. This holistic approach to faith fosters resilience and ensures that faith is not merely a token in the heart, but a guiding force in life.