EPISODE · Mar 18, 2026 · 1H 3M
Secularization Isn't Gravity w/ Stefan Paas
from PostEverything · host Brad Edwards and John Houmes
Secularization Isn’t Gravity Apatheism, Exile, and Mission Without Power (with Stefan Paas) Is Christianity declining in the West—or are we misunderstanding what’s happening? Missiologist Stefan Paas argues that secularization isn’t inevitable. It’s not gravity. Instead, it’s the result of millions of personal decisions—and that means its trajectory can change. In this episode of Post Everything, John Houmes talks with Paas about the rise of apatheism—a cultural moment where God isn’t rejected so much as ignored—and what it means for Christian mission in a post-Christian society. Rather than responding with panic, nostalgia, or attempts to reclaim cultural power, Paas suggests that the Church may need to rediscover something much older: faithful witness from the margins. Together they discuss: Why indifference may be a bigger challenge than hostility The surprising religious curiosity among younger generations What Christians can learn from the biblical experience of exile Why worship may be one of the most countercultural practices left How the Church can maintain its identity without resentment Why mission today may look less like conquest—and more like creating small “niches” of hope and beauty Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:50 🧐 Christianity's Current Social Position 09:20 Christian Proclamation Amidst Apatheism 11:20 ⚽️ Christians on Liverpool FC 12:00 🎙️ Proclamation through Podcasting 16:00 Worship as Rebellion 20:55 ✝️ 🇺🇸Faith Identity & National Identity 21:30 Secularization as Exile 27:30 Learning From Historic Black Church 29:00 Identity Maintenance in Exile 34:00 Formation as Preparation for Exile 35:30 ⛪️ Six Western Types of Churches 36:30 🇺🇸 American Impulses in Church Style 40:00 Love of Enemies in Exile 43:40 ⏱️ The Kingdom of God - Geography or Chronology? 44:30 Doxology & Mission Aren't Efficient 50:05 John's Favorite Paas Quote 52:53 Is God Behind Secularization? 55:00 🌎 ⛪️The Church & the World 56:00 Christian Spirituality & Identity in Exile 59:00 Secularization = Sum of a Million Decisions 1:01:45 So Many Enemies
What this episode covers
Secularization Isn’t Gravity Apatheism, Exile, and Mission Without Power (with Stefan Paas) Is Christianity declining in the West—or are we misunderstanding what’s happening? Missiologist Stefan Paas argues that secularization isn’t inevitable. It’s not gravity. Instead, it’s the result of millions of personal decisions—and that means its trajectory can change. In this episode of Post Everything, John Houmes talks with Paas about the rise of apatheism—a cultural moment where God isn’t rejected so much as ignored—and what it means for Christian mission in a post-Christian society. Rather than responding with panic, nostalgia, or attempts to reclaim cultural power, Paas suggests that the Church may need to rediscover something much older: faithful witness from the margins. Together they discuss: Why indifference may be a bigger challenge than hostility The surprising religious curiosity among younger generations What Christians can learn from the biblical experience of exile Why worship may be one of the most countercultural practices left How the Church can maintain its identity without resentment Why mission today may look less like conquest—and more like creating small “niches” of hope and beauty Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:50 🧐 Christianity's Current Social Position 09:20 Christian Proclamation Amidst Apatheism 11:20 ⚽️ Christians on Liverpool FC 12:00 🎙️ Proclamation through Podcasting 16:00 Worship as Rebellion 20:55 ✝️ 🇺🇸Faith Identity & National Identity 21:30 Secularization as Exile 27:30 Learning From Historic Black Church 29:00 Identity Maintenance in Exile 34:00 Formation as Preparation for Exile 35:30 ⛪️ Six Western Types of Churches 36:30 🇺🇸 American Impulses in Church Style 40:00 Love of Enemies in Exile 43:40 ⏱️ The Kingdom of God - Geography or Chronology? 44:30 Doxology & Mission Aren't Efficient 50:05 John's Favorite Paas Quote 52:53 Is God Behind Secularization? 55:00 🌎 ⛪️The Church & the World 56:00 Christian Spirituality & Identity in Exile 59:00 Secularization = Sum of a Million Decisions 1:01:45 So Many Enemies
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Secularization Isn't Gravity w/ Stefan Paas
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