Redeeming Souls vs. Redeeming Culture

There seems to be a dichotomy in the church between proclamation and mercy ministries.

Some churches train their people to share the gospel and hold many evangelistic events and outreaches. Other churches or ministries follow Saint Francis’s advice, “Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words.” Redeeming souls vs. Redeeming culture. That seems to be the split.

The Christian communities I’m involved in seem to drift more toward redeeming souls than redeeming culture. We talk a lot about internal redemption (of the soul) but not so much about external redemption (of the culture). So, I think we should ask ourselves why this is and make some necessary changes.

Are we teaching out students how to redeem culture once they have come to Christ?

If they step out into one of these cultural institutions (Business, Government, Media, Church, Arts & Entertainment, Education, Social Sector) after graduation, will they know what to do?

How do we go about equipping our students to do the works God has prepared for them in advance... in their area of influence?

Bored People Are Not In Tune With Reality

I was sitting on my computer last night trying to entertain myself. In short, I was bored, looking for something to do.

Then, I came across an article that put my life on pause for a brief second. To be honest, I can’t remember what I read exactly – but I think it had something to do with the conflict in Africa. I prayed for the situation, but not before a realization came upon me.

Bored people are not in tune with Reality.

We are distracted. Our vision of how things really are... is dimmed.

When I was in San Diego five years ago on a summer project with Campus Crusade, we did this thing called an International Dinner. Each of us were placed in a different “country” atmosphere – although all of us were in the same room next to each other. I was, thank goodness, placed in “China” where I was given a small cup of rice for dinner.

The "American" group, in the middle of the large room, was given a feast. During the evening, the Americans had the freedom to walk around and share their food with the other surrounding “countries”. But they didn’t. Why?

They were distracted!

The staff team gave them video games to play, free back rubs, and an unending amount of food. The entire night, not one student in the American location stepped out to view the needs of those around them. While in their bubble, they lost their sense of Reality.

I think all of us were designed to be heroes. But because of our ability to distance ourselves from the sin of the world, our vision is dimmed and we default to do doing nothing.

It’s troubling to me that I find myself bored way too often. I choose comfort rather than mission, and it only decreases my view of God and leaves me spiritually lethargic.

What if we were given better alternatives to the things we do when we are bored?

Play video games all summer VS. Go to Africa and wire a town for internet

Read books every Friday night VS. Tutor a few kids so they can learn how to read

Go to the movies every Saturday VS. Make a documentary about an injustice in the city

Sneak around town and graffiti VS. Design pieces for an art show and give proceeds to the poor

Shop at the mall VS. Find a local refugee family in the city to give away clothes to

Evangelicalism: The “How” But Not The “Why”

Parents who tell their children what to do but don’t explain why - are parents who breed rebellious children. A lot of evangelical churches have done the same.

Matt Chandler explained in a recent talk at the Resurgence conference that evangelicals decades ago, in response to the liberalism that was growing, started to retreat from culture and vigorously study systematic theology. Thus, truth began to outweigh grace by a hefty margin.

Now days, churches will preach exegetically through big books of the bible, drawing out hundreds of applications (the “how” of the Christian life) without ever unpacking the person and work of Jesus Christ (the “why” of the Christian life).

When parents give commands to their kids, the kids usually respond, “Why?” And then the parents usually respond back saying, “Because I said so.” This command and control method, which a lot of evangelical churches have adopted, breeds big heads and shriveled hearts. And as we have tried to re-engage the culture the past few decades, we have found ourselves in the midst of a very rebellious people, still angry at the church.

Only by unpacking the person and work of Jesus will we be able to regain the trust of those people who have been burned by the church. Focusing in on who Jesus was and what he did will inspire us to live for God’s glory and align us to his Kingdom purposes.

I am very convicted by Matt’s talk and am re-thinking how and what I’m teaching the students I work with. Am I preaching moralism? Or am I preaching Christ?