a crucified freedom: what Christian liberation is, and why it matters Soham Gupta
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reedom is arguably one of the most – if not the most – cherished values in contemporary Western society. After all, the Western world prides itself on being politically and socially ‘liberal’ – a word which is derived from the Latin libertas, meaning freedom. This is, or so it is claimed, a place where people can speak their minds and do as they please, with just the minimum restrictions necessary for maintaining law and order. Freedom of speech, sexual liberation, democratic governance and accountability are said to be the mighty pillars upholding this new social order, serving as guarantors against tyranny. Since freedom is always “one generation away from extinction” , there must always be a concerted effort to keep the liberal revolution alive, one generation after another.1 From a Christian point of view, there is much in contemporary liberal society to admire and appreciate. In fact, it may even be said that, even today, the West is remarkably Christian in many ways. The principle of the equality of all human beings, so clearly stated in the American Declaration of Independence and affirmed by multiple liberal democracies, is clearly in agreement with the Christian doctrine of the imago Dei in Genesis 1:26-28.2 Religious liberty also comes to mind. When the Soviet Union demolished multiple churches and religious buildings, including the iconic Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in 1931, Russian Christian emigrants sought refuge in the liberal West, in hopes that they could serve God without fear (Lk 1:74-75). The right to follow
one’s conscience and speak freely and criticize those in positions of power is also an incredibly precious gift (Acts 5:29, 24:16). However, there are also clearly things in 21st century Western society that are at odds with traditional Christian moral teaching. Moral imperatives can be seen as attacks on liberty, requiring a vociferous response. In fact, many liberal thinkers (though not all, of course) critique Christian ethics – particularly sexual ethics – as being oppressive and illiberal. One is reminded of the words of Thomas Paine who said that “[t]he most detestable wickedness, the most horrid cruelties, and the greatest miseries, that have afflicted the human race have had their origin in this thing called revelation, or revealed religion” .3 In more recent times, there have been the so-called ‘New Atheists’ and their attempted revival of the radical critique of religion championed by figures such as Hume and Voltaire. Although not all non-believers are as hostile to religion as the New Atheists , a large number would probably seriously question Christian moral and ethical teachings .4,5 It would be a serious mistake to think that the Bible considers freedom to be wrong or sinful: on the contrary, the Judeo-Christian Scriptures cherish and value the ideal of freedom. In a way, this is quite understandable. After all, freedom is not just a Western value, but a human one, present across cultures, civilizations, and time itself. 27
