We are dumbing down the dialogue of our cultural conversation to its most base and polarizing content. This results in making any conflicting discussion futile and bases agreement on perspective and position instead of values and principles. How do we rise above the noise of social media and the influence of herd mentality? The answer is the same now as it always has been: God’s Holy Word.
The Challenge
As Christians, navigating a culture of deconstructionism, relativism, post-modern emphasis on perspective, and progressive politics. I firmly believe it is imperative that we abandon our political positions, parties, and allegiances and instead engage in an intentional campaign to connect opinions, views, statements, and beliefs directly to God’s word. We need to strictly bind our cultural critiques, social reactions, and personal advice to the bible in real contextual ways and not in mere soundbite verses. Otherwise, we will be in danger of falling into the background noise of decent. This way we can avoid being easily dismissed as mere opposition instead of bearers of truth. Remember, His Word never returns void. It will either convince or convict.
“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, And do not return there, But water the earth, And make it bring forth and bud, That it may give seed to the sower And bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isa 55:10-11
It is not about Us vs Them
In our culture opinions are to be dismissed, beliefs are to be deconstructed. So I think we need to be more clear and not say “I believe…” or “I think…” but instead say “God’s word teaches…” or “God has said…” We need to stop trying to take the battle upon ourselves and place it back on God. As an example, we should stop saying “I am prolife” and start saying “The bible clearly teaches that life is sacred.” It should not be culture vs Christians or the world vs us but instead, we need to make it clear that the world’s issues are with God, not our beliefs. We must shift the dialogue back to where it should have always stayed: with God. We need to stop arguing with the world and go back to proclaiming Truth. Apologetics is not about defending ourselves or our beliefs but having answers.
Do the Hard Thing
Of course, this means knowing what the bible actually says and not just where to go look up what it says. We need to learn to read and understand passages in context and to place that context in our minds. This is not easy. This means reading and studying. Not watching a 30-second clip or even a 30-minute sermon but actually sitting down with the bible and investing our energy in partaking of the word. It also means changing our minds and way of thinking about subjects that we don’t want to. It is easy to hate or dismiss the LGBTQ community as sinners and scoffers, as an example, but it is more difficult to find a way to reach them with truth in love. It is the world’s way to categorize and dismiss. We have been called to do a much harder thing of understanding and ministering to. We do this by sticking to the Word and leaning on the Holy Spirit. Remember we were sinners and scoffers too.
“Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Co 6:9–11
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