All Cultures are Not Equal

"There is a growing belief today that every culture is equal. In other words, no culture can claim moral superiority over another. Although this is a common idea, it has met resistance by some who have demonstrated that, on a pragmatic level, productivity and the standard of living are better in some cultures than others. However, as Christians I think it is important to be in the habit of using Scripture to inform any kind of comparison—including culture. Speaking from a biblical standpoint, there are cultures that are better than others. The cultures which are superior are the cultures which are more closely aligned with God’s standard for living, and thereby thrive and flourish.

Superior Cultures Value Life

The Social Gospel Trend Within Evangelicalism: a Biblical Rebuttal

TGC's Social Justice Prophet

My favorite Christian blogger, Pastor Phil Johnson of Grace To You, has made his return to the blogosphere.  His latest article is well worth your time.  The Social Gospel Trend Within Evangelicalism: a Biblical Rebuttal

"The issue underlying practically every popular evangelical trend we have ever decried here on PyroManiacs is the same moral defect that was the besetting sin of the Pharisees—namely, a craving for human applause. The current ranks of evangelical leadership are filled with men who care far too much about what the world thinks of them. The intellectually sophisticated among our Top Men tend to covet academic esteem, especially from unbelieving scholars. Those who are less—um, cerebrally endowed—just yearn to be admired for being über-cool. Between those two extremes are a legion of evangelical movers and shakers who think they can achieve both goals. Lately, they have sought to do this by cultivating a noisome air of political correctness.

Scripture could not be more clear about the value of this world's approval. Jesus said, "Woe to you, when all people speak well of you, for so their fathers did to the false prophets" (Luke 6:26). And, "If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you" (John 15:18-19). And, "you will be hated by all for my name's sake" (Matthew 10:22). And, "Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets" (Luke 6:22-23).

It's a theme that runs throughout Scripture, starting with Cain's murderous contempt for his own brother's righteous offering, and finally summed up in 1John 3:13 with this admonition from the Apostle of Love: "Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you."

Christians are expressly forbidden to embrace the world's values or seek its approval: "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 desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions--is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever" (1 John 2:15-17).

Preaching with the Culture in View- Dr. Ligon Duncan

"I think the time in which we are preaching in the United States is as toxic of time for the faith as have ever existed in my lifetime."  The follow notes are excerpts from a Ligon Duncan Q and A session that I have edited and expanded.

The surrounding culture, by in large, is hostile towards the orthodox Christian faith.  Preachers need to remember this every time they preach the timeless Word of God.  We are living in days similar to Jude.  Apostasy is ever present.  The secular culture is very cynical and snarky.

Over the last 70 years Liberal Protestantism lost the "church" but won in the larger culture.  Having said that, atheism has more in common with Liberal Christianity than Liberal Christianity has with the historic Christian faith.  Suffice it to say, pastors need to be wise and authentic as they seek to minister the Word in season and life.  The truth must have an impact on us before we have an effect on others.  Our deep and true conviction must show every time we ascend the sanctuary steps!  As we preach we should try and present a biblical argument.

Their is a deep suspension in our culture concerning absolute truth claims.  We must never back down on this but we must also connect the importance of truth and love (1 Tim. 1:1-5).  "The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith."  We need to be known as the people of truth and as a loving Christians.  Dr. MacArthur puts it this way, "Hard preaching creates soft hearts while soft preaching often creates hard hearts."  Like Loyd-Jones we need to lions while in the pulpit and lambs outside it.