Christianity and the Culture Wars

The Church today has inherited much knowledge about God and the doctrines that have become the essential core of truth which defines what Christianity is. This knowledge has been accompanied by the privileges paid for through human suffering and sacrifice. Privileges such as translations of the Bible in a language you can understand. We have heard of times when the church was persecuted. We have also heard of times where many believed the message of the gospel and were transformed by its power. Unfortunately, the cycle of peace and persecution revolves around the church and its faithfulness with which it accomplishes its mission. The cycles just before great persecution came seem to be times when the church appears to be weak in the eyes of the community it is in. The church today has been struggling with the question of culture and how to approach it. Apparent weakness exists on both sides of the argument. The Church in our country seems divided. One of the several factors splintering the churches is the question of how to approach our American culture. What in our culture is acceptable and what must be rejected?



The question facing us today is not new. It has been asked many times before. The Church has experienced seasons of persecution as well as seasons of popularity. Popularity is a good thing if it is a result of the Holy Spirit's work of providing peace for his people and influencing the community. Popularity should not be something pursued by the Church however. This approach often leads to a weakening of conviction and an unhealthy reverence for the opinions of men. It also leads to division between congregations and splintering of denominations. David Wells points out this issue is one of  several dividing Evangelicals and Fundamentalists today.

"At root, however, it is a question of how to engage the culture without losing one’s soul. Fundamentalism feared losing its soul and so did not engage the culture; evangelicalism fears being different from the culture and is in danger of losing its soul." -David F. Wells

One of the challenges the Church faces is the apparent lack of direction given in Scripture regarding the approach believers should have to examining and participating in contemporary culture. Many think that Scripture's silence means they can do whatever comes natural or whatever they enjoy. Others actually contradict Biblical doctrine using the Bible itself to promote their own position and give themselves religious credibility. An extreme example of this would be the current trend to allow people who openly practice homosexuality to serve as ministers in some denominations. Scripture speaks against the sin of homosexuality and invites the person practicing it to overcome his sin through an intimate relationship with Christ. Nevertheless, it considers those who refuse to give up the practice of homosexuality as unworthy of the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 lists participants in homosexuality among many other sins. This trend to allow those who refuse to repent from homosexual relations to be shepherds of God's people is a great contradiction. Unfortunately, there may come a time when writing posts like this one may be considered a hate crime against people who choose to practice homosexuality. In reality, confronting people with their sin is an act of love because it can open the door to freedom. Nevertheless, this example is just one of the ways in which culture has waged war on Christianity. So what should Christians do?

Christians should walk in the footsteps of Jesus and strive to be obedient unto death. Self-sacrificial love for God and mankind is the only antidote to the onslaught believers are suffering from today's culture.  Christians should be striving to proclaim the greatness of God (1 Peter 2:9) and the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:19). We should have a vital devotional and prayer life so as to be in tune with God's work in us, through us, and around us. I encourage all who read this to commit yourselves to finding ways in which to focus on proclaiming the gospel, ministering to other believers, and deepening your personal walk with the Lord. May you influence others around you to be closer to God through Jesus Christ our savior.

Many would be encouraged by any comment from anyone who has overcome challenges in these areas.