How to Think Christian in a Re-Paganizing World

We're living in unsettling times—yet also exciting ones. Have you noticed how everything feels like it's shifting beneath our feet? Scripture calls believers to "recognize the spirit of the age," and it seems we are experiencing something more significant than just another blip on the radar of history. 

Back in 1941, Russian-American sociologist Pitirim Sorokin noticed something profound when he wrote, "It is high time to realize that this is not one of the ordinary crises that happen in every decade, but one of the greatest transitions in human history, from one of its main forms of culture to another."[1] Sorokin argued that normative social disruptions occur every decade or so. However, approximately every 500 years, humanity endures tectonic shifts that completely reorder civilization. Our current cultural moment may be passing through one of these major civilizational changes.  

Understanding Our Cultural Moment 

According to Sorokin, civilizations shift when people change their philosophy of reality. He noted that societies pass through certain pressure points where they think differently about reality itself. Sorokin argued that when societies cycle through these changes, they perceive the world differently and make decisions according to their perceptions of reality. Sorokin saw three primary ways civilizations perceive reality.   

 First, the "Sensate" (Materialistic) Stage: In this phase, decisions are primarily based on sensory evidence and empirical data. Ethics tend to be utilitarian, and majority vote animates political structures in this phase. The Reformation opened about 500 years of this type of materialistic decision-making. 

 Second, the "Ideational" (Spiritual) Phase: Here, spiritual or transcendent considerations take precedence over material evidence. Culture becomes more mystical and dependent on authority and faith. Medieval Europe operated primarily in this mode. Its monastic life elevated the role of the spirit, and civilization in general understood itself to live in an enchanted world. 

 Third, the "Idealistic" Phase, which represents a balanced integration of both approaches. In the “Idealistic phase,” the supernatural and the natural are held in tension.  

 Sorokin believed that by 1939, modern society was transitioning from the Sensate to the Ideational phase. As one considers our current moment in history, there is some evidence that supports his thesis. 

 Re-Paganization 

Let’s consider today's cultural divisions. Abortion debates do not rage on biological evidence. Science clearly shows pre-natal life is human (sensate), but the debate centers on the spiritual question of personhood (ideational). Consider a discussion about gender. We are not debating the material evidence of x and y chromosomes (sensate), but about a non-material sense of identity (ideational). Consider our concerns about AI's tangible capabilities—its computational power, data processing speeds, and practical applications (the "sensate" dimension). On the other hand, we simultaneously wrestle with profound philosophical questions that transcend material measurement—whether AI can develop consciousness, what constitutes personhood, and how machine intelligence might redefine what it means to be uniquely human (the "ideational" dimension).  

 Christian thought provided the framework for understanding reality during the past civilizational shifts. But now, as we move toward a more "spiritual" orientation, it seems Western culture is growing more “spiritual” (acknowledging the supernatural), but less rooted in the objective realities provided in Christian thought. 

That's why I use the term "re-paganization." As the West becomes more spiritual but less anchored in Christian thought, we lack a comprehensive vision of life. Without a shared "master story," as Os Guinness puts it, "there can be no prophetic interpretations, only conflict and confusion."[2] 

 Five Possible Implications  

 This cultural shift has several important implications: 

 First, increasing polarization: Spiritual fervor will animate decisions, making it harder to "agree to disagree." Religious freedom in the West was founded on the material principle of Imago Dei, but post-Christian spirituality may not accommodate disagreement. 

 Second, stronger authority structures will be needed. Spirituality without universal doctrines rooted in objective reality will require a strong governing authority to maintain peace among competing spiritual subcultures.  

 Third, a loss of consensus about reality itself. Without universally recognized shared beliefs about the nature of reality, we'll struggle to agree on fundamental questions about AI, personal identity, natural rights, and more.  

 Fourth, confusion about character: What happens to virtues like prudence and self-control in a culture focused on "living my true self"? How are courage and freedom understood when there is no consensus about courageous acts?   

Fifth, there are no shared ultimate goals: Without a shared vision, we'll have different ideas about the purpose of work, marriage, medicine, and politics. America and Western Europe have a civilization that no longer shares a vision for their role in the world.  

 How Can We Think Christian in a Re-Paganizing World 

In times like these, we need a better decision-making framework than ChatGPT. I would argue that scripture provides us with the ontological, epistemological, and teleological framework needed to make decisions in times such as these.  

When faced with moral dilemmas I’ve found the following framework helpful to guide decision-making.  

Look To God's Explicit Commands: Scripture provides clear moral directives through specific commands. These commands do more than just tell us what to do—they reveal the fundamental nature of reality itself. When God commands "You shall not murder," He isn't merely establishing a rule; He's revealing that human life has inherent value because we are created in His image (Genesis 9:6). God's commands show us both the physical consequences of actions and their deeper metaphysical realities. They provide a complete framework for understanding the true essence of our choices and their implications in both the material and spiritual realms. 

 Character Formation Through Consistent Action: Consider how your choices today shape who you become tomorrow. Psalm 135:18 reveals a profound truth: "Those who make idols will be like them, and so will all who trust in them." This principle extends beyond literal idol worship—whatever we consistently value, pursue, and practice gradually transforms us from within. Ask yourself: "If I performed this action daily for two months, what kind of person would I become?" Our habits aren't merely things we do; they're forces that act upon us, molding our character, rewiring our desires, and ultimately determining whether we develop virtues that lead to flourishing or vices that lead to decay. Every decision is a step toward becoming someone—choose wisely. 

 Community As Integrated Wholeness: The command to love God and neighbor (Matthew 22:37-39) provides a powerful decision-making framework that harmonizes both material reality and spiritual truth. This love engages our complete humanity—both our physical senses that interact with the tangible world and our spiritual faculties that connect with transcendent meaning. When evaluating choices, ask: "How will this decision affect my relationships?" Consider the ripple effects on your family, friends, church, and wider community. True wisdom recognizes that we exist in a web of relationships, not as isolated individuals, and that authentic flourishing happens when our actions honor both the physical needs and spiritual dignity of those around us. This integrated approach bridges the divide between mere materialism and disconnected spirituality. 

 Teleological Purpose: Every human action aims toward an end—what ancient philosophers called telos. When making decisions, ask yourself: "What is God's intended purpose for this activity?" Examine how your choice aligns with God's redemptive narrative for creation, fall, redemption, and restoration. Our actions don't exist in isolation but participate in a cosmic story with eternal significance. This deeper reflection exposes our hidden motivations, revealing whether we're pursuing God's glory or merely self-gratification. By intentionally considering the ultimate ends of our actions, we're forced to align our purposes with God's purposes, embedding even our smallest choices within His grand design for human flourishing and the renewal of all things. 

 Western civilization stands at a historical inflection point. Like great empires before us—Rome, Babylon, Persia—we face the choice between renewal or decline.3  Daniel 12:3 offers both challenge and promise: "Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever." In times of cultural darkness, wisdom becomes most visible. The very unsettling nature of our age creates unprecedented opportunities for those grounded in transcendent truth to illuminate paths forward. 

This moment calls not for retreat but for courageous engagement—for those who understand the power of Christian thought to speak hope into confusion, order into chaos, and meaning into nihilism. While civilizations rise and fall, God's truth stands eternal. Those who build their lives and communities on this foundation will not merely survive this cultural transition—they will shine like stars, guiding others toward the renewal that our civilization desperately needs. 

[1] Sorokin, Pitirim A. The Crisis of Our Age. (E.P. Dutton & Company, 1941), 13. 

[2] Guinness, Os. Renaissance: The Power of the Gospel However Dark the Times. IVP Books, 2014. 

[3] Guinness, Os.