New Conversations
The conversations about Christianity are changing. The days of talking about the name of the church, about baptism, about the Lord’s Supper, about the nature of the church, and about faith have changed. Not that these conversations are not important, but people are not even here any longer. Some people might be, but much of the conversation is around the existence of God, not the old school exist of God talk, you know, create the syllogism which proves beyond the shadow of doubt that Jesus exists or God exists. The teleological arguments seem to carry less power. Some of this is because of post-modernism and relativism. The way that one approaches the conversation has changed as well. There is a movement for universalism, there is this notions against all forms of judging, and there is wide-spread dislike for Christians. Much has changed, and those who have the ability to response in a healthy way will be the ones that God will continue to work through in reaching this present age. Of course I believe that what we say God can turn good out of water, but it is sometimes best to understand the dynamics of the society in order to be a holy influence for the Lord. This is one of the reasons that I feel that the churches in the West might lead in future for churches in general. In the past, much of the influence for church was derived from the south, but the south has a different culture than the west, but even the south is moving in this post-modern direction. The new movement of God is going to come from churches that can say the language of the new God searchers. It has happened in the past, the shift of missions from Jerusalem to Antioch. This shift is happening today. Preachers that have been trained in the former style of outreach might struggle more than those who are equipped to speak into these new cultures. How do you speak about Jesus when the Bible is just another book? How do you talk about church when organized religion is hated? How do you chat about salvation when everything leads to heaven or a higher existence through a high power? These are just a few of the new questions that are on the plate.
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Very true. Always disconcerting to hear Christians ardently providing answers to questions people aren’t asking any more!
Sadly true words, Matthew. The conversation has shifted in many critical areas of life. Teen sex and premarital sex are far more the norm even among Christians than they were 10 and 20 years ago. Marriage is no longer entered into with the assumption that the marriage should last until death parts. Indeed, the primary focus of the marriage seminar Mark and I wrote is the theological underpinning that calls believers to lifelong commitment. Past seminars did not need to start with an apologetics for marital longevity.
And yet, God is as much God of this world and he was of the Roman world and every other crazy era of humanity. Praise be to God Most High.
Great post. Churches must learn to practice cross-cultural missions. Except in this case instead of crossing a geographical or ethnic culture, the culture being crossed into is of a sociological/philosophical nature. The culture, as we all know, is postmodern, post-christendom/Christian. Unfortunately, as much has been written on this in the last ten years, churches are still wading into unchartered waters as they learn how to practice cross-cultural missions in this context. Ironically, those churches who attempt to cross into this new culture seem to be accused of compromising the Gospel by those who stubbornly remain fixed in their rather modern culture.
Grace and Peace,
Rex
Great thoughts, Matthew. Very insightful and visionary.
Like you, the thought I have is why is this happening? There are many, many theories out there; some plausible, some not so much. However, at a basic level, we know that every action has a reaction, every reaction has a re-reaction and so on… this applied, how people talk about or position Christianity is a reaction to something. But what?
I recently heard a Professor of Theology say that “religious (universally) thought and leaders have become “arrogant”. It got me thinking what did he mean by “arrogant”?
Put in the context of action and reaction, history shows there has always been a battle going on between Christianity (universally) and other frameworks of thought and philosophies(secularism, humanism, universalism, liberalism, deism, and all the other ism’s ).
I’m not sure it can be attributed to “a dislike of Christians”, as you mentioned above, but more likely an “action vs. reaction” or Christianity vs. “the ism’s” thought of the time… each pushing against each other to gain the upper hand. Past examples include (the general/condensed version):
1. “Ism’s” began pushing on the culturally and geographically based Christian theories. Christianity responded with a “centralizing movement” trying to gain the upper hand.
2. As a reaction to the “centralization movement” of Christianity, the “ism’s” responded with the “enlightenment movement” trying to gain the upper hand.
3. As a reaction to the “enlightenment movement”, Christianity responded with its own form of “ism” (denominationalism) to try and gain the upper hand.
4. As a reaction to “denominationalism”, the “ism’s” responded with significant advancements in science and technology to try and gain the upper hand.
5. Which brings us to where we are today, and where it gets interesting… I think?
Something different happened the last time round of the battle… the Ism’s thought they got the upper hand back with science and technology; but they didn’t. They lost the round. During this period of time Christianity grew exponentially! The “ism’s” were left scratching their heads??? All this advancement in science and technology and Christianity is exploding? What went wrong?
This is where the “arrogant” statement of the Professor of Theology comes into play. Christianity has gotten arrogant because the “ism’s” have failed this time. Christianity is not only growing during this time, but it is effectively driving society. Christianity has gained control of politics, education, law, media and society itself.
I will wrap up with this thought. I believe we are entering another “action – reaction” period. To your article, Christianity is being forced to have “new conversation” because the “Ism’s” are making another push at gaining control. “Ism’s” are pushing back against Christianity because they believe the control of politics, education, law and media is not good for society. It is the definition of a separation of church and state (secularism) movement… Christianity is feeling the pressure and MUST have a new conversation.
-Joe