on the paradigmic shift of pagan to Christian society

The effect of this is shift is incalculably vast and profound for the history of the church and for the realities of the Christian's walk. They are well-illustrated in a story - probably apocryphal - that is told about one of the great thinkers of the Roman Catholic church, St. Thomas Aquinas. The story goes that, while walking amid the splendors of Rome, a friend said to St. Thomas, "We Christians certainly no longer have to say to the world, 'Silver and gold have we none.'" To this St. Thomas replied : "But neither can we say to the lame man, 'In the name of Jesus of Nazareth rise up and walk'".

-The Spirit of the Disciplines by Dallas Willard

The arresting underlying fact is that the body of Christ is once again a counter culture in many ways. Lord I pray for the faith of Peter in a postmodern world. Teach us what it means to suffer for Thee.