Stockholm Syndrome Christianity by John G. West
In this book Dr. John G. West former professor of Seattle Pacific University (a professing Christian institution where the majority of the faculty rejects the true Lord Jesus Christ and the Lord's teachings on sex and other matters) importantly asks and addresses, "Why are so many Christians--especially those in positions of leadership and influence--failing to uphold historic biblical teaching or defend their fellow Christians from persecution? Part of the cause is undoubtedly fear. If you stand up for biblical Christianity in today's culture, the consequences are undeniable. You can lose friends and colleagues; you can lose your job; you can be targeted for discrimination or persecution. Many leaders stay silent out of self-preservation. But the problem goes much deeper: Many Christian leaders and laypeople who fail to uphold the historic standards of their faith do not think they are motivated by fear. They do not believe they are compromising with the world in the views they adopt. They sincerely believe that what they are doing is right. They are Stockholm Syndrome Christians." -P. 15-16
Dr. West helpfully walks through what this concept means and explains how many Christians grew up in "cultural captivity" which is to say they/we "were immersed in a culture hostile to genuine Christianity at home, school, college, and the workplace...". p. 16 West goes on to say after years of this "immersion in elite culture that rejects orthodox Christianity they start identifying more with those who hate Christianity than those who embrace it."
So far this is a very fascinating and helpful book that I highly recommend. Similar to Shepherds for Sale it explores why Christian institutions fail and particularly elite evangelicals belittle historic orthodox Christianity. Dr. West walks through real life example after example and demonstrates how this deconstruction takes place. Whether it is matters of science, sex, or something else in the public square he walks through the reasoning and process by which many self-professing Christian leaders, scholars, and elites functionally abandon core biblical truth while claiming to follow the Lord Jesus Christ.
May we all be on guard over our life and doctrine as the apostle Paul commended Timothy (1 Tim. 4:16) and realize we have been called by God's grace to embrace the costly call of following Jesus even as we cling to, love and declare without shame the gospel we have been entrusted with to a world that rejects God and God's revealed truth. A watered down gospel message and any claims to follow Jesus who declared he is the way the truth and the life (John 14:6) yet mocks and belittles the bride of Christ and edits the truth of the revealed Word is no true Christianity however appealing and enticing it might be to our sinful flesh in a fallen world where we all to often are driven by fear of man and a desire to be liked.
The Lord is faithful and will preserve His true church...let us be unashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16) and unwilling to bend the knee to elite fools who compromise God's truth and diminish God's glory according to God's Word. Soli Deo Gloria