GOD'S POLITICS? PART V

CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURE

Before going any further, I wanted to make sure and clarify something I said in the previous post. I gave as an example of the Kingdoms colliding the Glenn Beck conference held this last weekend. Now, let me be clear: I am not commenting on Beck's politics, or for that matter his opponent's politics. That's not my job. What I am commenting on is the idea of the conference itself. The idea of the conference was that what this country needs is "religious revival" in order for things to change. I don't disagree with this sentiment; a true spiritual revival is a good thing.

The part I think we Christians need to be wary of is what the components of this "religious revival" are. If the country merely has a "religious revival" but that revival is not centered on Jesus Christ (not some vague God figure, not some Great Ethic, but the Jesus of the Bible), than as Christians we are placing our hope in something that isn't Biblical. Here's the point: As Christians we shouldn't be concerned with making Muslims better Muslims, or Mormons better Mormons, we should be concerned with converting Muslims and Mormons to Christianity. True spiritual revival has to start with the True Spirit.

Now on political matters, as an individual citizen, I may partner up with Muslims, Mormons, Wiccans, etc, etc, for what I believe is the common good of society. We may all agree that Euthanasia is wrong and therefore band together politically to stop it. But this is not religious revival, it is neighborly responsibility. Remember, Two Kingdoms.

Alright let's move on:

Historically there have been 4 ways the Church has related to the Culture (by default this includes the State). Each has their strengths and weaknesses as we shall see. They can be summed up in four words: Conquer, Conform, Collapse, and Contribute

1. Conquer- In this view, the Church sees the State as something to rule over. This view is best epitomized by the relationship between the Roman Catholic Church and the European States throughout the Middle Ages. However, it certainly was not started by them; it has always been a temptation for the religious to take over the State. After all if this is God's world, than His people should rule over everything, right? Those with this view in America are constantly calling for the Church "to take this nation back for Christ!" or some other slogan. The Religious Right and the Religious Left often fall prey to this view, believing if they can just get the right legislation passed, the right person in office, etc. than it will alleviate society's problems. The problem with this view of course is that the Church is never once in the New Testament called to "take back a culture for Christ." It's called to preach the Gospel to all creatures, but not to pass legislation. If a culture is taken back for Christ, it is because individuals of that culture are being saved by Him and having their hearts changed by Him.

2. Conform- The second view of culture is most often seen among Liberal Protestants (when I say Liberal here, I'm not talking about their politics, but their theology) and it is that we must conform to our culture. In this view, the only way the Church is seen as "relevant" is if it looks like, talks like, and acts like the culture around them. Rather than preaching Biblical standards and norms, this group preaches the culture's standards and norms. In this way of course the Church loses it's distinctive as salt and light. Unfortunately, this has become more of the norm for Evangelical churches of late as well. It's one thing to be relevant with our music, clothes, etc., but the message is unchanging.

3. Collapse- The third view has been to collapse from the culture, or to say it another way, escape. This has been the chosen view of "Fundamentalists," or Quakers. We dress different, we listen to different music, we completely disengage from the evil world. Unfortunately, this again ignores the call for Christians to be "in the world, but not of the world." We can't escape, but rather must influence, inspire, and actively seek the best for our neighbor, unbelieving and believing.

4. Contribute- Finally, the fourth view of Christians and Culture seeks to find the balance. This is the Two Kingdoms view, which we have laboriously gone over. In this view the Christian contributes to society through his/her good works. We make music, make films, produce art, eat at restaurants, work hard, vote, watch other's kids, etc. all for the benefit of our neighbor. We do this as a citizen of wherever we live. On the other hand, in our relationship to God, we passively receive His grace and mercy, His gifts through Jesus Christ our Lord. Our relationship there is based on faith alone. Remember: Two Kingdoms.

Tomorrow, we finally talk about Civil Disobedience as Christians, and then we move on to specific World View Topics...

Soli Deo Gloria,

Pastor Erick