PERSPECTIVE Don Atkin

CHRISTIANITY AND CULTURAL CONTEXTS

 You are the salt of the earth. – Matthew 5:13a

Neither should we confuse our history with our heritage, individually or culturally!

THERE ARE TEACHERS, AND THEN THERE ARE TEACHERS

There are surely valid teaching gifts to the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11).  Others also are able to teach (I Timothy 3:2).  Paul, an apostle by the grace of God, wrote: you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ (I Corinthians 4:15).  Yet, James warned: Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment (James 3:1).

Paul’s warning to Timothy is applicable to our times.  It is particularly alarming because of global access through cyberspace.  Pick up on Paul’s passion as you read his words:

Preach the word!  Be ready in season and out of season.   Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. – II Timothy 4:2-4

FABLES ARE FOR ITCHING EARS

Opportunists exist in all cultures, including what some have come to believe to be the Christian culture.  Since the kingdom of God is not of this world (John 18:36), does not come by observation (Luke 17:20-21), and cannot be inherited by flesh and blood (I Corinthians 15:50), we have reason to doubt the validity of much that is presented as Christian culture. We must also be discerning (not wary or paranoid) about people and systems.

If it can be formulated, packaged and marketed, we should be suspicious enough to at least investigate its origin, not “buying” simply because it has a “Christian” label.  Systemic marketing strategies are permeating so much of what calls itself “apostolic.” Many have strayed from the foundation of Jesus Christ and the simplicity of the gospel.  These ploys should not be difficult to discern.  They may be backed with Bible proof texts, but what is the motive?  What appeals to you?  Does it stir your passions, give you hope for possessions, or for positions?

Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh (passions), the lust of the eyes (possessions), and the pride of life (positions)—is not of the Father but is of the world.  And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever. – I John 2:15-17

Should we be investing our lives in the cosmos if, indeed, the cosmos is passing away?  Or, should we live as pilgrims, strangers, and ambassadors of a kingdom that is not of this world?

THERE ARE STILL TWO TREES IN THE GARDEN

We can read in I Chronicles 14 how, when David inquired of God, He gave David a strategy to defeat the Philistines.  When he heard that they were assembling against him a second time, David inquired again of God.  He was given a brand new strategy that was appropriate for the brand new situation. 

Those who build their own destinies, kingdoms and fortunes based upon fables, or even based upon a God-given strategy given them for a former situation or season (tradition), are severely limiting their potential for spiritual growth and development.  There is life and spontaneity—with simplicity—that is lost when we begin to nibble at the wrong tree. 

THE GOSPEL STILL WORKS IN EVERY CULTURE

Christianity has always prospered in the context of hostile cultures.  For example, the church in China is growing rapidly in both number and substance, in the face of extreme persecution.  We have seen it with our own eyes!  We have met several people who have been imprisoned and tortured, only to be all the more committed.

Paul wrote from prison: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21).

Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote: “The call to Christ is a call to come and die.”

John Chasteen, in an article entitled, “On The Road Again,” points out that Christians in the USA have lost home field advantage.  Using this sports metaphor, he points out that we have enjoyed home field advantage, but now are on the road again.  We are moving into enemy territory, and—for the first time in this nation—experiencing what Jesus prophesied, “The world hates you.”

Changing political and cultural environments may actually serve us well in sorting out what is of God and what is the cleverness of man.  Our best days will come forth as we learn contentment that is unhindered by circumstances, and find purpose in the moment.

While imprisoned in chains, Paul wrote, I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel (Philippians 1:12).

SCRIPTURES ARE ABLE TO MAKE YOU WISE

For you have not come to the mountain that may be touched.

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks.  For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.  Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.  For our God is a consuming fire.

Let brotherly love continue. – Hebrews 12: 18, 22-29, 13:1

Love emanates from Zion, the mountain that we are to be scaling.  Failure is certain if we fail to take Mount Zion.  The success of saltiness is assured from Zion’s heights. 

What are believers supposed to look like in a world where leaders and institutions lack values, integrity coherence and stability?  What are we to do?    We are to be focused, and make wise choices that are kingdom-centric.  Our saltiness, our spheres of influence will expand from glory to glory as we continue to embrace the cross.

THE GOSPEL STILL WORKS THE SAME WAY

Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.

Sell what you have and give alms; provide for yourselves money bags which do not grow old, a treasure in the heavens that does not fail, where no thief approaches nor moth destroys.

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. – Luke 12:32-34

“Don’t waste your energy striving for perishable food like that.  Work for the food that sticks with you, food that nourishes your lasting life, food the Son of Man provides.  He and what he does are guaranteed by God the Father to last.”

To that they said, “Well, what do we do then to get in on God’s works?”

Jesus said, “Throw your lot in with the One that God sent.  That kind of a commitment gets you in on God’s work.” – John 6:27-29 TM