The secularization of Western culture was accompanied by the elevation of art to the position of a substitute religion to replace Christianity.

A Christian philosophy of literature begins with the same agenda of issues that any philosophy of literature addresses. Its distinctive feature is that it relates these issues to the Christian faith.

Readers should aspire to what is excellent. They should refuse to read a substitute Bible. They should want a Bible that calls them to their higher selves - or to something higher than their current level of attainment.

In Puritan thinking, the Christian life was a heroic venture, requiring a full quota of energy.

For the Puritans, the God-centered life meant making the quest for spiritual and moral holiness the great business of life.

The Puritans removed organs and paintings from churches, but bought them for private use in their homes.

The secularization of Western culture was accompanied by the elevation of art to the position of a substitute religion to replace Christianity.