Scott’s Column: Christianity, Moral Virtue, & Democracy Jan 5, 2017 | News Christianity, Moral Virtue, & Democracy Yesterday I was reading essays on the website of First Things, a religiously and politically conservative journal. One writer called for people who were “Thoughtful, learned, literate, historically and philosophically astute, cultured in the true sense of the word, and engaged in the public square” to “address the present by drawing on the history and culture of our past. And we must do so in a public way that calls out those who abuse their power while giving good arguments to those who wish to work for a deeper, greater good than the myopic vision offered by the regnant gospel of immediate gratification.” I was surprised by how much common ground I could identify with a group of people who largely disagree with me on some issues vitally important to me. I believe now is the time for us to be rigorous in our thinking, drawing on the riches of our theological tradition, to advocate for the virtues and their role in our civic life. Fortunately, we do have that tradition. Recently I read historian Amy Kittelstrom’s The Religion of Democracy. This delightful book engages our theological history, how in the 18th century a group of New England Congregationalists abandoned neo-Calvinism and developed liberalism, which was a theological position that laid the ground for the American Revolution and the development of democracy. There were three key tenets of those 18th century Congregationalist liberals: “The first rule was for Christians to acknowledge that they are not yet in possession of truth. Call it humility, call it partiality, call it fallibility, it is objectively true from a Reformation Christian perspective that no one can claim to possess the whole truth any more than they can claim to be free of sin. Therefore all must continue to seek more truth. “The second rule taught the critical thinking necessary to discern between doctrines. Truth-seekers must be open-minded, honest, and sincere. They resist appeals to authority, tradition, or superstition, thinking for themselves and being both candid about what they think and willing to consider all claims. “The third rule of right reasoning directed the Christian to consider the effects of a doctrine as indicative of its degree of validity.” These rules were forms of spiritual practice which cultivated moral agency. They are also essential virtues in a free republic. I believe they have the potential to create common ground across ideological divides. For 2017 let’s resolve to engage in the spiritual practices of thinking well and developing the virtues, for our own good and the good of our society. Peace, Scott
