Practicing Christians, Practical Atheists

Book excerpt: The task of living faithfully within today’s secular culture is one of the most important issues facing Christians. Yet many misunderstand what culture is and how it shapes their hearts, minds, and souls. This book extends the work of James K. A. Smith by revealing how the secularizing influence of modern culture is not only transmitted through “cultural liturgies,” but has become embedded within the seemingly harmless practices everyday practices of education, work, consumption, and leisure. As a result, even practicing Christians may become practical atheists who have thoroughly internalized secular dispositions of mind and heart. This deeper understanding of cultural formation calls into question many of the dominant approaches to ministry and formation. Rather than merely offering information and inspiration, congregations must become sites of counter-formation that enable their members to fully embody the Christian faith within everyday life.