Today, many Christians are disparaged by atheists, as the assumption of many in western late-modern cultures is that public discourse ought to be secular. Yet

Today, many Christians are disparaged by atheists, as the assumption of many in western late-modern cultures is that public discourse ought to be secular. Yet this is often based on an assumed common ground of Enlightenment humanism, with an a priori ruling out of any possible religious basis for claims. However, as Kuhn and Polyani have shown, science is a very human endeavor, full of underlying beliefs and assumptions that color and guide inquires, as well as setting conceptual limits on what is and isn't possible. Many of the great early-modern scientists (Kepler, Newton, and Boyle come to mind) were driven by their Christian convictions to break with older inaccurate theories and follow the observational data. I think much of the deep political divide in our culture ties back to a philosophical rejection of truth, à la Nietzsche, leaving only the raw power grabs. As a Christian who believes truth is both real and objective, yet also has a personal/relational character, I'm particularly saddened when Christian communities participate in power grabs that perpetuate deep political divides rather than living our a self-giving love that would build trust for conversations across political (or racial or socioeconomic) divides. Its acceptance of a secular zeitgeist that tolerates no real diversity of viewpoints, and Christians easily fall into the same habits.