As of late, many “influencers” online have been using the phrase “Christ is King” as, ironically enough, an anti-Semitic shibboleth. It’s a clever, abet insidious, signifier as it leans into “Jews killed Jesus” hatemongering as the Motte while allowing them to retreat to the Bailey of “just professing their faith”, the latter sentiment being one that many would unreservedly agree with.
For many of these “influencers”, they may truly believe that to be Christian, they must hate (((Jews))). That is position that many others have rightfully mocked and torn down with far more eloquence than your humble author.
But faith as a cultural and social signifier, as opposed to an expression of belief, particularly of relevant denominational doctrines. Already in Europe we see Christianity being relegated to a cultural practice that comes from custom rather than devotion, in a form of “cultural cosplay”. America is still, by and large, different from much of Europe in having far more people being sincere in their religiosity, with that faith and attendant belief being more core to the denomination of their church.
But this does not mean that any uptick in religiosity on the surface is concomitant an acceptance from within of not only the faith in general, but the doctrinal tenets in particular. An apparent uptick in people wearing cross necklaces, for example, may be due to mere fashion or it may be due to either people becoming more religious, or at least more openly so. Before cheering for a coming new “Great Awakening”, one must ask if this comes from faith, or if it is just fitting in to either trends or new norms, with faith coming as an afterthought or not at all.
Similarly, is the trend of young people moving to more “traditional” churches really a consequence of those churches’ doctrines being accepted, or because they are attracted to the traditionalist vibe and/or the social community. Is it the secular needs that are being met, or the religious ones? Perhaps both, but that is something that one must ask oneself. Perhaps neither, and the chosen church or doctrine is just a tool to achieve the desired social conformity.
Ultimately, one must remember that a churches or belief can be as much, if not potentially more, of a secular avenue to meet secular needs, as it is a means to meet the needs of faith.
