Better than "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness"

Caught in the middle, under the influence of Leslie Newbigin, explores the contrast between biblical and U.S.A. cultural values:

Those who proclaim America to be a "Christian nation" need to take a close, hard look at the economic, political, educational and social institutions in America today. Perhaps the founding fathers had a respect for Christianity, even if they had no personal commitment to the faith. But leaders throughout Western and American society no longer have that kind of respect. It isn't that we are losing it. We have lost it.

Evangelistically, then, Christians must view the United States as a mission field in which shared cultural values are positively in conflict with a biblical worldview:

So, insofar as the American Dream is unfounded on Biblical terms, it is also unfulfilling in life. We see lived out all around us the logical conclusion of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." And it aint pretty.

What is the alternative?

. . . loving relatedness. A community that is not interested in its own "inalienable rights" but is interested in loving community with others. It is a place where I no longer seek to "get ahead," but I'm free to use the resources God has given me to benefit others - even give it away. And that is just the economic impact. It has equally positive results in politics, education and the social structures in which we live.

Amen.