In this third excerpt from an interview with theologian Dr. Peter Leithart, Pastor Derek Buikema begins by acknowledging that not only are there no secular institutions that support Christians but also that increasing numbers of Christian institutions are failing to support Christians. Dr. Leithart explains the reasons for these failures of the contemporary church, which include cowardice in the face of public pressure and the exaltation of “toleration” as an unalloyed good within Western churches, which is turning churches into “allies of the persecutors.”

Pastor Buikema then asked how Christians can discern whether a church or Christian institution, including Christian colleges, has capitulated too much to the world. Dr. Leithart offers several ways for Christians to assess properly whether a church is standing steadfastly with Christ as opposed to making “space” for the world.

This discussion is especially important at this time in the history of the church in America, when “progressivism” is infiltrating and corrupting Christian institutions.