Putting First Things First: Providing a Way Forward in the Midst of the Cultural Challenges We All Face!
As we wade into the cultural challenges facing Christians in this current generation I want to write at least one article on the framework we need as believers living in this present age. However, the immensity of this aspect alone will most likely take a series of short pointed articles. To begin with I want to recommend a book that I believe is well written and fairly easy to understand for leaders and members of the church alike. Below is the biographical information that one would need if there is an interest in purchasing it.
What is the Mission of the Church: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert. Wheaton: Crossway, 2011. Pp. 266. $15.99 paper.
This work is very affordable and is written in such a way that leadership groups and or small discipleship groups in a congregation can make use of the timely material. One noticable strength of this book, besides the relatively easy reading style compared to other books of this nature, is the biblical and exegetical component that is often absent in many Christian books today. In fact the most challenging aspect of this work is the biblical application that grows out of the exegesis of the Scriptures. I point this out since so much ink is spilled and time used expressing clever ideas by Christian thinkers that either misinterpret, misapply, or never consult the Bible in formulating the views they express. This is true at least in many publications. This is a weakness in modern Christianity. Much of our views are formed outside of serious biblical reflection. We either proof text verses or give the Bible a surface nod. After all our convictions are more important even if what we promote could be at variance with the Word of God. Therefore, in the public arena it is not as though we do not know anything, but we often do not know enough. This is why historical theology is critical since much available to us in the history of the church is based on better biblical understanding.
We are weak not just in the general handling of the Bible, but in particular the Old Testament. Here specifically is where proof texting is done the most without any consideration as to the background of passages or their historical application as understood by the first hearers of these Scriptures. Interpretations abound that suggest for example the application of Jubilee laws for modern economies from such books as Leviticus or Deuteronomy or the acceptance of Gay sexual relationships due to the perceived idea that Old Testament laws forbidding homosexual practices are not relevant for a New Covenant people due to the fact that the law is given to us through the lens of an outdated culture and has been nullified due to the New Testament.
Confusion not only exists when Christians cannot distinguish between culturally influenced interpretations of Scripture, but when we fail to understand that Scripture at times does address believers inside of their cultural context in places. For example, passages in the New Testament that seem to support the institution of slavery are actually instructing believers how to handle a cultural situation so that the testimony of the gospel does not suffer (Philemon 4-6). Failure to recognize when this is the case has led others to assert that unless you enforce the use of "head-coverings" - the practice of a woman covering her head with a cloth or shawl (I Corinthians 10:33-11:16) - in modern church gatherings indicates that you will most likely slide into accepting homosexual behavior or other cultural practices at odds with Scripture. How one can reason this out in this fashion is equally challenging not to say troubling. Although DeYoung and Gilbert do not cover issues such as the modern use of head-coverings, subjects like this as well as slavery, or the role of women in Scripture, have led many to dismiss the Bible altogether because of an inability to exegete and apply relevant verses to particular questions of concern. In the next article we will move into the core framework provided in this volume in order to discover the kind of foundational grid that I am convinced is on target in providing guidance on a number questions as to the mission of the church.
Gary Finbeiner
Christianity and Culture
As we wade into the cultural challenges facing Christians in this current generation I want to write at least one article on the framework we need as believers living in this present age. However, the immensity of this aspect alone will most likely take a series of short pointed articles. To begin with I want to recommend a book that I believe is well written and fairly easy to understand for leaders and members of the church alike. Below is the biographical information that one would need if there is an interest in purchasing it.
What is the Mission of the Church: Making Sense of Social Justice, Shalom, and the Great Commission by Kevin DeYoung and Greg Gilbert. Wheaton: Crossway, 2011. Pp. 266. $15.99 paper.
This work is very affordable and is written in such a way that leadership groups and or small discipleship groups in a congregation can make use of the timely material. One noticable strength of this book, besides the relatively easy reading style compared to other books of this nature, is the biblical and exegetical component that is often absent in many Christian books today. In fact the most challenging aspect of this work is the biblical application that grows out of the exegesis of the Scriptures. I point this out since so much ink is spilled and time used expressing clever ideas by Christian thinkers that either misinterpret, misapply, or never consult the Bible in formulating the views they express. This is true at least in many publications. This is a weakness in modern Christianity. Much of our views are formed outside of serious biblical reflection. We either proof text verses or give the Bible a surface nod. After all our convictions are more important even if what we promote could be at variance with the Word of God. Therefore, in the public arena it is not as though we do not know anything, but we often do not know enough. This is why historical theology is critical since much available to us in the history of the church is based on better biblical understanding.
We are weak not just in the general handling of the Bible, but in particular the Old Testament. Here specifically is where proof texting is done the most without any consideration as to the background of passages or their historical application as understood by the first hearers of these Scriptures. Interpretations abound that suggest for example the application of Jubilee laws for modern economies from such books as Leviticus or Deuteronomy or the acceptance of Gay sexual relationships due to the perceived idea that Old Testament laws forbidding homosexual practices are not relevant for a New Covenant people due to the fact that the law is given to us through the lens of an outdated culture and has been nullified due to the New Testament.
Confusion not only exists when Christians cannot distinguish between culturally influenced interpretations of Scripture, but when we fail to understand that Scripture at times does address believers inside of their cultural context in places. For example, passages in the New Testament that seem to support the institution of slavery are actually instructing believers how to handle a cultural situation so that the testimony of the gospel does not suffer (Philemon 4-6). Failure to recognize when this is the case has led others to assert that unless you enforce the use of "head-coverings" - the practice of a woman covering her head with a cloth or shawl (I Corinthians 10:33-11:16) - in modern church gatherings indicates that you will most likely slide into accepting homosexual behavior or other cultural practices at odds with Scripture. How one can reason this out in this fashion is equally challenging not to say troubling. Although DeYoung and Gilbert do not cover issues such as the modern use of head-coverings, subjects like this as well as slavery, or the role of women in Scripture, have led many to dismiss the Bible altogether because of an inability to exegete and apply relevant verses to particular questions of concern. In the next article we will move into the core framework provided in this volume in order to discover the kind of foundational grid that I am convinced is on target in providing guidance on a number questions as to the mission of the church.
Gary Finbeiner
Christianity and Culture
2 comments:
Thanks so much Gary for the update, excellent post. Looking forward to the core framework-foundational grid on these issues. If possible, please keep me informed if you do plan to come to Chicago and lecture on this foundational grid. Thanks again.
Frank,
Actually we just finished a conference for leaders on several cultural issues at Spirit of God Church in the area. Some of the material covered will appear on the blog in the coming weeks. Thanks for your interest and faithful comments.
Gary
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