We white Christian evangelicals

marginalized and the abused. The incredible tumult among ordinary churchgoers increases theological literacy in the pews, so that 500 years after the Reformation, Luther’s dream of a “Priesthoodof all believers” is potentially closer than ever.

Ironically, it may well be that it is Christians’ fears about losing control of the culture that have accelerated the rise of secularism itself. (This has been an open secret in the sociology of religion for almost two decades.)

Consider the rise of the “Nones” in American public life — those adults, especially younger adults, who when asked about their religious affiliation, say “none.” For decades that number was very low, but then it began to increase rapidly in the 1980s. Why was that? It seems to be caused by the tight alliance of Christianity, especially conservative white Christianity, with conservative politics over the past several decades — an association itself driven by prophesies of a rising tide of godlessness in America after the 1960s.

Those prophesies about the 1960s were wrong; but they fueled the alliance of white Christians with rightwing politics from the 1980s forward, and that alliance has repelled many younger people from religion out of a distaste at seeing religion so eagerly bend the knee to short-term political gain. That is to say, Christians’ response to a misperceived crisis has become, in fact, a selffulfilling prophecy.

Pope John Paul II, who most American Christians (even Protestants like me) would allow was a pretty good Christian, said in his first homily as pope, “Do not be afraid!” This remains useful theological advice.

If we are Christians, we must believe that we are safer in God’s hands than in our own. We should take no care for the morrow but preach compassion and mercy to all, without distinction. If we do that, they’ll know we are Christians by our love — rather than our fear.

But how much does this old bull has left in the tank? Currently, all signs are pointing to another strong year for stocks in 2018. Corporate earnings are strong. Bond prices are low. Tax reform has the potential to significantly boost bottom lines. Interest rates re-main low by historical standards. And regulations that have proven costly to the corporate world are being rolled back.

WalletHub also analyzed 2018 S&P 500 projections from eight major investment banks, and their endof-year targets — which range from 2,675 (Citibank) to 3,000 (JPMorgan Chase) — average 2,838. So we expect the S&P 500 to top its current record in 2018 and finish the year with a gain of around 6 percent.

Interest rates

The Federal Reserve will raise rates three times, costing borrowers billions. The Fed Open Markets Committee has increased its target interest rate, the so-called federal funds rate, five times since 2006: once in 2015, once in 2016 and three times in 2017. And the Fed’s projections indicate two to three more in 2018, with three looking more likely. The experts WalletHub surveyed also seem to think we’ll have another three-hike year.

“My best guess is for three rate hikes to take the target band to 2 percent to 2.25 percent,” said Paul J. Shea, assistant professor of economics at Bates College. “This matches the FOMC’s current forecast; they are the onesmaking the decision.”

So we have to plan for three more rate hikes in 2018. And that means paying off as much of our record credit-card debt as possible. If we don’t (the more likely scenario, unfortunately), we could be in big trouble.

Each quarter-point increase in the fed’s target rate costs people with credit-card debt roughly $1.4 billion in extra interest per year, according to WalletHub research. And de-linquency rates are creeping up from record lows as debt levels reach record highs. A third rate hike in 2018 could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, causing a significant rise in defaults, a corresponding decrease in credit quality and stricter lending standards.

Credit-card debt

Credit-card debt will break all-time records, topping the record of approximately $1 trillion owed now. According to WalletHub’s projections, if we haven’t quite crossed the $1 trillion mark by now, we’ll definitely surpass it in the coming year. The real question is how much more we can handle before millions can no longer afford the minimum monthly payments on their balances.

Unfortunately, we may find out sooner rather than later. The percentage of people who are 30 days past-due on their creditcard payments has increased by 26 percent from the first quarter of 2016 through the third quarter of 2017, according to the most recent data available from Equifax. And the share of credit-card users who are 60-plus days pastdue rose by 14 percent over the same period. This trend easily couldy worsen, and quickly, as we continue to rack up more debt and the Fed continues to make it more expensive. 2011.

We’re starting to see cracks in the foundation, though. In particular, 30day delinquency rates rose for credit cards, auto loans and mortgages during 2017. An increase in delinquency has been a long time coming, considering just how much debt we’ve racked up in recent years and how low delinquency rates have been relative to historical norms. If that trend continues, it will start dragging down the national average credit score in 2019.

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