catapult magazine

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discussion

evangelical posture on engaging the world

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Janel
Jan 26 2004
12:12 pm

“Most [evangelicals] embrace both [absolutism and volumtarism], even if they are not aware of it in these precise terms. And being caught on the horns of this dilemma generally creates within them a powerfully confusing and self-restraining ambivalence about Chritian social and political activism. Too much voluntaristic thinking automatically evokes the concerns of of absolutism—God’s laws are not optional, but binding on all people and nations, for their own good. At the same time, however, mental steps toward absolutism automatically rouses the opposition of voluntarism—you should not force people to live like Christians. And in the end, neither gets very far. And, consequently, evangelicals do not get very far in figuring out how to go about transforming the world. ”

-Christian Smith, American Evangelicalism (1998)

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vanlee
Jan 31 2004
09:09 am

We are assuming that most Christians sit in a quandry about how to transform their culture. (per the first quote.)

Certainly it is a FACT that, considering the sheer ## pf persons claiming to be Christian, that lots more engagement should be going on. (I suspect sheer busyness with life, especially once one has kids, is part of the problem; Also, fear of venturing out of the “Christian Ghetto”.for some.)

But some of us see a need & jump in. We may discuss, yes, but we also do, even before we have “the answers”…

Near me, for instance, is one of the poorest towns in the whole US.
I need not sit in a philosophical./theological quandry.

When they call for warm coats, for helpers to build a playground, for food, I can just ***do*** these actions. Some in my church have tutured kids in school there…Etc. Etc.Etc. Jesus says “When I was hungry, you fed me.”

I encourage everyone, even while forming one’s views of the world, (especially concerning more subtle ways to respond to one’s culture) to respond to at least some of the immediate cries for help. (Otherwise, one develops hearing loss & does not hear those cries anymore.)

Now, I don’t want to insult the philosophical process. It is important to examine one’s life, culture, etc. (Or I wouldn’t be here throwing my 2 cents into this discussion).

But my quandary is—-too many needs—-too little time!

And I say again….look at the history of Christian activism to maybe learn some from the past
(both good & bad, tho overall I think the scales will tip overwhelmingly to the good)

For instance, at my little evangelical college, we viewed and analyzed the old film about the Scopes Monkey Trial “Inheerit the Wind”. It could be called a treatise on how NOT to engage one’s culture well.. ..

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vanlee
Jan 31 2004
09:11 am

Regarding the value of engaging the culture thru immediately meeting someone’s needs…as a way to get one’s foot into the cultural door, so to speak???

I heard that the early Christians AMAZED some higher ups in the Roman culture because " they took care of their own poor…then they took care of our poor."

(Approxomate quote…but you get the idea.)

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BBC
Feb 03 2004
02:56 am

Lately I have kind of been hooked on the Bible passage in Acts about Paul in prison, singing hymns at midnight and there is this earthquake that opens all the doors and breaks the shackles. The Roman guard is about to kill himself because all his prisoners when Paul speaks up and says that they are all still hear. The guard thinks this is such bizarre behavior, so at odds with the way the rest of the world wants to do things, that he desires to become a Christian immediately.

This is an interesting story about engaging culture. Paul worked within the culture (obeying its authority, getting himself put into a situation that was certainly getting into the grit of the real world), yet at the same time, presented an approach that was wholly different from that culture (being cheerful in a situation that called for despair, not running when he had the chance).

And overall I am struck by Paul’s radically different approach and also his confidence in the Lord’s ability to make all things work for good.

Contrast this with the typical North American Christian. We are a timid lot, blending in with those around us, unwilling (often) to put at risk our three-car-garages or surround-sound stereo by appearing even the slightest bit different, to say nothing of radically different.

So I teach high schoolers. How can I get them to think about this seriously?

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vanlee
Feb 04 2004
04:58 am

BBC’s message (the 2/3 message) is a great look at how the Apostle Paul & friends helped to turn their culture upsidedown.

His question: How does one get high school kids (one of the greatest energy sources on this planet) motivated to do the same?

That is the great question. For which I struggle for an answer also…

But before I can attempt to figure out how to motivate anyone else, incliuding high school students, I must be convinced that the core message of what Jesus has done for us is THE central message of all life, of all time, and for all nations, cultures, tribes, and individuals.

Note… I am not marketing a specific denomination or singing style here, but the core gospel, what has been called "mere christianity’ the core faith that persons in a concentration camp, of different denominations might share together
—-the ESSENTIALS.

I am motivated to attempt to change my culture (starting with the immediate persons around me…like Jesus did…and Paul, etc.) because the CORE MESSAGE of who Jesus is & what he did for us is timeless, true, and transcultural.

(All of which makes me an icky, snobbish person in the eyes of many in this culture, very un politically correct,a female who dares to think she has the “truth”.

But if Jesus is indeed the Way the Truth & the Life…& noone comes to the Father except thru Him.

…dare I pretend otherwise???)