The temptation of "secular credibility"

In the recent issue of Touchstone, James Hitchcock warns ("Bargain Debasement") that "secular credibility is a devilish temptation."   A bit:

. . . The terms of Satan's bargain have been clear for a long time: Christianity is losing adherents and, even more seriously, losing influence and credibility. It will not prosper once again until it humbly accepts enlightenment from the children of this world. The benefits of this bargain are so obvious that only dogmatic stubbornness prevents its being ratified.

Alas! Some among Jesus' modern disciples have unwittingly sacrificed themselves for the rest by forging ahead to test the bargain, and they have been left with ashes. . . .