Christ and Culture Revisited, ch. 4

In this chapter, Carson takes a path that diverges (though not completely) from the outline of the original Niebuhr work. Carson seeks to demonstrate the "neither totally good nor totally bad" nature of secularism, democracy, freedom and power. His goal is to show that Christians can neither wholeheartedly support nor abandon any of the four. I was thankful most of all for democracy and freedom. I have long sensed a discomfort with linking God with democracy (and to some extent freedom) without words for my malaise. Carson expertly demonstrates how democracy can undermine values and freedom can be repackaged rebellion for the sinful heart.