The culture wars are over, and the conservatives have lost: This assessment has become conventional wisdom across the political spectrum, as the sexual revolution, the divorce revolution, the steady growth of the state, the marginalization of social-conservative views in the media and most social institutions, and finally the triumph of same-sex marriage in the Obergefell decision have left traditionalists feeling beleaguered and desperate. Traditional Christians and Jews find themselves debating whether to retreat to their cultural bunkers or to prepare for widespread persecution. Some are doing both. Many religious conservatives now take for granted that American society is effectively lost, and that the great task ahead will be to rebuild from the ashes after the structures of society have collapsed.
R. R. Reno takes a different view. His new book offers a far more optimistic assessment of Christian culture and its potential to continue “seasoning” the ground of our increasingly chaotic society. His book won’t tell us how to win the next election, but it’s an uplifting read in a time of widespread demoralization. Reno still thinks it’s possible to revitalize American society, using Judeo-Christian ideas and mores as the foundation.
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