As the influence of Christianity on the West reaches historic lows, a growing list of atheists and agnostics, some of whom have argued that Christianity is bad for the world, are backpedaling. Apparently, as a post-Christian world takes shape, they are rethinking their critiques of religion and its impact on society.
The most recent to express regrets is Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk. Long described as atheist or agnostic, Musk has toyed with odd beliefs like the so-called “simulation hypothesis,” which says that we’re all living inside a giant computer program. However, in a recent interview with Canadian psychologist Jordan Peterson, Musk admitted admiration for Christianity:
While I’m not a particularly religious person, I do believe that the teachings of Jesus are good and wise. … I would say I’m probably a cultural Christian. There’s tremendous wisdom in turning the other cheek.
He went on to say that Christian beliefs,
result in the greatest happiness for humanity, considering not just the present, but all future humans. … I’m actually a big believer in the principles of Christianity. I think they’re very good.
His use of the term “cultural Christian” was not an accident. It came as he and Peterson discussed arch-atheist Richard Dawkins’ recent confession that he, too, considers himself a “cultural Christian.” Dawkins even admitted that he enjoys Christmas carols and cathedrals, and thinks Christianity, in contrast to Islam, makes for a “fundamentally decent” civilization.
Last weekend, SpaceX and Tesla CEO Elon Musk took to X-formerly-Twitter, an app that he also owns, to declare that “unless there is more bravery to stand up for what is fair and right, Christianity will perish.”
A few days ago, Musk went even further when he agreed with rapper and social media influencer Zuby, who wrote that it was foolish and prideful to remove the “foundation” of Christian religion and expect the “building” of Western civilization to stand. “I think you’re probably right,” replied Musk.
Add in names like Tom Holland, the popular historian who wrote Dominion, and politician and writer Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who recently converted to Christianity, and there is now a rather striking lineup of current, former, and (perhaps) wavering unbelievers now praising belief.
At least part of this secular buyer’s remorse is the rise of “woke” ideology, which bodes ill for a post-Christian society. Sometime in the late 2010s, the so-called “new atheism,” a movement that purported to be all about reason and science, was swallowed up by progressive identity politics. Steadily, science and reason were replaced by moralizing witch-hunts, to the point that atheists like Dawkins now find themselves pushing back against pseudoscience on sex and gender.
Also, there is a growing realization, Holland’s books are a good example, that Western ideas of human rights, political equality, and science and art are products of Christian theology. They do not occur in most civilizations, and there is no reason to expect that they will endure in the West if Christianity fades.
It’s good that Musk, Peterson, Dawkins, Holland, and others are recognizing the debt owed to the religion of Jesus. Better to live alongside unbelievers who praise the faith than those who call it a “dangerous delusion.” However, we ought not delude ourselves. Christian influence in the modern world is the result of a lot of people who, for hundreds of years, really believed in Jesus.
“You must make your choice,” wrote C.S. Lewis in Mere Christianity:
Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronising nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.
Cultural Christianity recognizes that the blessings of a Christian worldview do extend beyond the community of actual believers. That view of reality has blessed so many precisely because it is true. We should pray for those who seem to be softening toward that Truth to recognize Christ as such.
Within days of claiming the “cultural Christian” title, Musk said in response to the Opening Ceremony mess, “Unless there is more bravery to stand up for what is fair and right, Christianity will perish.” He’s right about needing more bravery, but what he missed is the good news, both for him and the rest of the world, that Christianity will certainly not perish. This or that church may falter, and Christianity may lose its influence here or there. Christ’s Church and the truth about the world it proclaims will never fall, because it is true that Christ is risen and has overcome the world.
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By evening, his post had nearly 47 million views and was reposted 71,000 times on the popular social media site which Mr. Musk purchased from Twitter in 2022.
Mr. Musk’s posts are often right-leading and although he replied to a “born-again” comment on X by stating, “I believe in the principles of Christianity like love thy neighbor as thyself (have empathy for all) and turn the other cheek (end the cycle of retribution),” his understanding of a faith in Jesus Christ can be viewed as unclear.
Christian leaders have been responding to his warning by clarifying true Christianity.
“Elon Musk is partially right, because without bravery, Christianity would have been snuffed out in the first century. However, true Christianity will never perish because Christ cannot perish,” said Ocean City, New Jersey pastor Matthew Maher, who is the founder of the Truth Over Trend ministry. “What we are watching are the cultural pressures of our day that reveal the eternal difference between nominal Christianity and biblical Christianity.”
“And when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. So it was that for a whole year they assembled with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” – Acts 11:26
“By God’s grace alone, Musk is partially right. Bravery is in short supply, but the gates of Hades will not prevail against the true Church,” Mr. Maher told Think Eternity via message.
Leadership author and speaker Jon Gordon had this response on X to Musk’s proclamation:
Elon, Christianity will never perish because the Holy Spirit cannot be killed. He is eternal. The more persecuted Christians are the more the hunger for God grows. We were created for connection and in union with our creator the Holy Spirit gives us the power and courage to take… https://t.co/c5wWG6GGgA
Lee University professor Jason Robinson also believes that Christianity can’t be short-changed when it comes to “survival” of the Church as the Body of Christ.
“To say that Christianity will perish without the courage to stand up for what is just and right misunderstands both the character of Christianity and the promises provided to us in Scripture,” Mr. Robinson stated to Think Eternity. “Christianity’s survival depends not just on human courage, but on God’s omnipotent plan and infinite power. Jesus assured His disciples that the Church would endure: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (see Matthew 16:18, NIV)
Mr. Robinson said the promise God made indicates that the Church will continue to survive in spite of misunderstandings or opposition.
“Christians are called to stand up for truth and righteousness,” Mr. Robinson stated. “Ephesians 6:13-14 encourages believers to ‘put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place.’”
He adds, “Because Christianity is upheld by God’s unchanging power and promise, it will always endure. It is our job to hold on to our faith, defend the truthfulness of God’s Word, and have faith in His final victory.”
Writer and communications pastor Aaron Hall is also firm on a reliance in an unfailing God.
“The truth is, Christianity won’t perish due to man’s failure to stand for truth. The cross of Christ stands firm on its own, for nothing can thwart the Lord’s will. Even when human courage falters, the power and sovereignty of God remain unshaken, ensuring that His divine purpose prevails,” he said.
Whether it be in response to a foggy sentiment about Christ followers or the Church, or whether it be in opposition to what is clearly evil, a call for Christians to be more vocal and public in their faith has been made.
“We are in a time of history where the attacks on the people of God and people made in the image of God have intensified so much. The devil is not hiding his plans or his motives,” Think Eternity founder Matt Brown stated. “There is a satanic and sexually perverted agenda being pushed by world leaders on the left. While I wholeheartedly agree that nothing can stop God’s plan, gospel or His Church, I also agree that we need to stand up and be counted and take a stand against the evil agendas of our day. Part of God’s plan to push back darkness is through us speaking truth, doing what’s right no matter the consequences.”
Author and pastor Chuck E. Tate agrees with the call on leadership in the Church.
“We must forever preach Christ and Christ crucified,” Mr. Tate stated. “As Christian pastors and leaders, let us stand firm in our faith, unashamedly and courageously proclaiming the Gospel with love and conviction. Let it be like fire in our bones. By doing so, we ensure that the light of Christ shines brightly in a world desperately in need of hope and truth.”
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Editor’s Note: This was originally published on Think Eternity News. The sources used for most of the quotes used for the article above come from members of the Thinke Writing Team for Think Eternity News.
Alex Murashko is a journalist and writing team leader for Think Eternity, a site for powerful faith content to help you live the fulfilled life in Jesus. Murashko is also founder of Media on Mission. Connect on X (formerly Twitter): @AlexMurashko.
