Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

God Bless,

Awestruck Ministries Team

Ben, Daniel, Jeremy, Joe, and Josh

I hope that you all have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! This blog is going to go without new content until 2009. Stay tuned for some exciting new content, resources, and announcements regarding this website and the development of my speaking ministry coming early 2009. God bless you and your family this season!

In Christ,
Ben

Kingdom People has compiled an interesting list of the best books of 2008.  This list is worth checking out.  I have unfortunately only read The Reason for God and the ESV Study Bible, but I have heard good things about some of the others.  This blog is also giving away these top ten books on Christmas day.  So if you are a reader like me, you may want to check it out.

My friend Jarrod Jones had a very good post about our faulty view of God that causes us to want to perform for Him:

 I lived so many years in religious chains. I lived mainly a “sin-avoidance” gospel. In other words, my Christian walk was mainly about not sinning (no cussing, no lying, no drinking, and so forth), doing Christian duties to keep me from sinning (Church, Bible, Prayer, Bible Studies), and finding Christian techniques to help me avoid sinning (wear Christian T-shirts, listen to Michael W. Smith, and wear a Cross necklace).

I also viewed God as a Daddy who was hard to please.  I always had to prove to myself, and to God, that I really loved Him. My thinking was like this:  ”I’m going to change my life.  I’m going to quit cussing. I’m going to quit looking at porn. I’m going to read my Bible more, pray more, put the Fish on my car, and get a Christian tattoo).  I failed to truly believe and rest in the reality that in Christ I am completely accepted and loved. The Apostle John said, “This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sin” (1 John 4:10).  He also wrote, “We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God loved when I didn’t love Him. He sent His son even while I flipped Him off.  He first loved me and then i loved Him. But still I had it all wrong. I was living as if He loved me because i first loved Him. I didn’t get it. I was chained to religion.

I realized that religion is performance.  Religion is living for God’s acceptance and love. Relationship is living from his acceptance and love. Religion is trying to get God to respond in love. Relationship is living in response to God’s love.  And with that I learned that I don’t obey God to get accepted. Rather I obey because I’m already accepted by God. I don’t serve Christ to get loved, I serve Christ because I’m loved. See it?

Spoke at a conference a couple of years ago. In the front row, to my right, was a girl who looked like she hated being there and hated me (or the message, or both).  After the second day, and the third and last session, a lady approached me with tears in her eyes. She said, “I brought a group of girls here this weekend. They are from a foster home. They are hardened, bitter, and angry. Well, one of those girls gave her life to Jesus. She was sitting in the seats in front of you yesterday.”  It was that same girl.  The lady continued, “Her heart broke for Christ because of something you said. She heard you say, ‘God loves you.’  It was the first time she ever heard a male say that God loved her.’”

“God loves you.” I’m sure you’ve heard those words before from many people. Those three jaw-dropping words are so cliche’ now.  They make for cute coffee mugs and colorful calendars. But have you truly paused, opened your Bible to 1 John 4:10 & 1 John 4:19, Romans 8:14-16, and savored that  
G-O-D    L-O-V-E-S   Y O U!

Staggering.

Are you living a “sin-avoidance” gospel? Is your walk with Christ more about modifying your behavior to look more Christian? Or do you believe with all of your DNA that you are ferociously loved by God, and because of that love you want to live for His glory? His first love for you changes everything. Who wants to be religious with a ruthlessly loving God who wants relationship?  This God, our God, who would give His Son so that we might have that relationship.  Stop living for His love. Start living from His love.  Don’t obey so that you might feel accepted and loved by God. Obey because you are accepted and loved by God. 

Chains be gone! Be free.

Between the Times had a great post on preaching Christological texts:

Evangelicals believe the biblical teaching concerning the uniqueness of Jesus Christ as the sole and sufficient Savior for all persons who have lived or ever shall be.  We note that such an affirmation is needed because the Christian church is now confronted with various theological heresies such as universalism, radical pluralism, theological inclusivism, and religious relativism, all of which call into question the clear teachings of Holy Scripture and belief in the particularity and finality of the revelation and salvific work of Jesus Christ.

What is it that drives Baptists like us, and evangelical Christians as a whole, to make such strong statements of theology and faith?  I believe the answer can be found not only in “the clear teaching of the Holy Scripture” in general, but in the great Christological texts in the New Testament in particular.  I refer to the quintessential quartet of John 1:1-18; Phil 2:1-11; Col 1:13-23; and Heb 1:1-3.

The clear exegesis and exposition of these four passages are the bedrock foundation of biblical and orthodox Christology.  Both his person (full deity and perfect humanity) and work (sacrifice and atonement) are gloriously expounded in these texts, though it is his person that is more strongly emphasized.

What we think and believe about Jesus influences all aspects of our theology: what we think about God, the Bible, and salvation, for example.  If we are to think correctly, that is biblically, about Jesus, these four great texts should be taught clearly, consistently, and courageously without compromise or apology.

What might four expository sermons on these great texts look like? What would be an accurate assessment of their theme and emphases? I would like to propose the following for consideration of how to get at these passages in preparing to proclaim them to the people of God.

1). A message on John 1:1-18 might be titled “Jesus Christ: The God of Incarnation.”
Such a sermon would declare that as the Word of God Jesus powerfully preexisted (1:1-5), was prophetically witnessed (1:6-9), was personally rejected (1:10-13), was permanently incarnated (1:14), is properly exalted (1:15-17), and that he perfectly communicated (1:18).

In this text emphasis is placed upon the Logos, the Word, Jesus as coeternal, coequal, and consubstantial with the Father (1:1-3).  He is the perfect embodiment of God revealing himself to humanity (1:14, 18).  By believing in Christ alone we can become children of God (1:12).  Various structural analyses of the passage generally agree that the focus is on vv. 10-14, while vv. 1 and 18 also receive emphasis.  The central verse is considered to be either v. 12 or v. 14.  It can be argued, in fact, that v. 12 contains the soteriological heart of the passage and v. 14 the Christological heart.  This text is so full theologically, one could consider a six part series of these 18 verses.

2). A message on Philippians 2:1-11 could bear the title “Jesus Christ: The God of
Humiliation.”  This passage declares first that we must cultivate the disposition or mind of our Lord (2:5) by seeking unity (2:1-2), humility (2:3), and sensitivity (2:4).  Second, we must consider the humiliation of our Lord (2:6-8), who humbled himself in his renunciation (2:6), in his incarnation (2:7), and in his crucifixion (2:8).  Third, we should celebrate the exaltation of our Lord (2:9-11), who has an exalted position (2:9), designation (2:9-10), adoration (2:10), and confession (2:11).

The second and third divisions of this passage (2:6-11) is believed by many to be based on an early Christian hymn of two stanzas.  It may find its Old Testament roots in Isaiah 53.  The passage is ethical (especially vv. 1-5) and soteriological, with emphasis falling on the humbling and emptying of our Lord.  The incarnation was not a subtraction of deity.  It was an addition of humanity.  Emphasis on Christ’s full deity and utter uniqueness as the God-man is clearly communicated in the text.

3). The third message on Colossians 1:13-23, could be titled “Jesus Christ: The God of Creation.”  Here the message is that Jesus is Lord of the Cross or Savior (1:13-14), Lord of Communication or Revelator (1:15), Lord of Creation or Creator (1:15-17), Lord of the Church or Leader (1:18-20), and Lord of the Christian or Master (1:21-23).
 
Also viewed by many as an early Christian hymn, this text emphasizes that (1) Christ makes visible the invisible God, (2) Christ is the agent of creation, and (3) God’s fullness dwells in him (cf. 2:9-10).  Perhaps used as a polemic against first-century heresy, this text is quite relevant in confronting “New Age” ideas concerning the relation between God, Jesus Christ, and the world.  Further, the preeminence of Christ “in” and “over” his church sounds a much-needed call in our day when personal agendas and self-serving attitudes unfortunately prevail in too many of our churches.

4). Finally, a sermon on Hebrew 1:1-3 could be presented under the title “Jesus Christ: The God of Revelation.”  The message of this passage is that Jesus is God’s best because of his 1) proclamation (1:1-2a), 2) his possessions (1:2b), 3) his power (1:2c), 4) his person (1:3a),5) his provisions (1:3b), 6) his purification (1:3c), and his 7) position (1:3d).  Seven marvelous characteristics of our Lord weave this text together.  Thirteen times the author will use the word “better” in this book to convey the superiority of Jesus to prophets, angels, Moses, and Aaron, i.e., to the entire Old Covenant economy.  The emphasis of the prologue (which closely parallels Luke 1:1-4; Acts 1:1-3) is upon Christ’s superior revelation to anything previous, as well as its climactic and definitive nature.  Jesus is God’s very best in every way.  When we have Jesus, we have all from God that we need.
 
Though there is some degree of overlap in these texts, each is unique in its own right, and all four are essential in laying the foundation for a biblical orthodox Christology.  We need to preach about Jesus.  We need to expound his person and his work so that his people will know their Savior for who he is and what he has done.  I commend these four great texts to preachers of the gospel across our land with the prayer that their exposition will exalt the wonderful Savior who loved each one of us so much that had anyone of us been the only person to ever live, he still would have left heaven and died on the cross of Calvary just for us.  His death does not teach that we are great.  His death teaches that He is great.  He is great in love and holiness.  He is great in power and purpose.  He is simply a great God.

The following is Dr. Andreas Kostenberger’s book recommendation list for 2008:

The end (of the year) is near, and once again it’s time to list the best books in biblical and theological studies that appeared in 2008. This year seems to have been an especially fruitful year for publications in these areas. Here is my list:

1. The ESV Study Bible (Crossway): While people may debate the merits of the ESV as a translation, the qualities of the ESV Study Bible are indisputable. An exquisitely produced, high-quality product that sets a new standard for study Bibles.
2. Eckhard Schnabel, Paul the Missionary (InterVarsity Press): A worthy sequel to Schnabel’s landmark 2-volume work Early Christian Mission. The new “Ronald Allan” on Paul’s missionary practice. Both thorough and practical.
3. D. A. Carson, Christ & Culture Revisited (Eerdmans): A timely book on an all-important subject, the relationship between Christianity and contemporary culture. Carson properly takes his starting point from Niebuhr’s classic work Christ and Culture. A very important book.
4. Robert Stein, Mark (Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament; Baker): I haven’t read Stein’s work in toto yet, but from what I’ve seen so far, this commentary is first rate, as one would expect from this senior Markan scholar.
5. David Chapman, Ancient Jewish and Christian Perceptions of Crucifixion (Mohr-Siebeck): The revised version of a dissertation at Cambridge University under William Horbury, this will be the standard work on crucifixion for a long time to come.
6. Margaret Elizabeth Köstenberger, Jesus and the Feminists(Crossway): This book should have been written a long time ago. A judicious survey of various feminist approaches to Jesus. J. I. Packer calls it “scrupulously fair.” In the interest of full disclosure: I am married to the author.
7. Cosmology of New Testament Theology (ed. Jonathan Pennington and Sean McDonough; T & T Clark): Finally, a monograph on this very important but widely neglect aspect of New Testament theology. Worldview matters, then and now.
8. Craig Blomberg and Mariam Kamell, Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament: James (Zondervan): A great start to an important new series from Zondervan. Blomberg here teams up with Mariam Kamell, a doctoral student at St. Andrews University.
9. Suffering and the Goodness of God (ed. Christopher Morgan and Robert Peterson; Theology in Community series; Crossway): Another promising start to a new series, with contributions by, among others, Robert Yarbrough, Walter Kaiser, Dan McCartney, and John Frame.
10. Clyde Fant and Mitchell Reddish, Lost Treasures of the Bible: Understanding the Bible through Archaeological Artifacts in World Museums (Eerdmans): A great publishing idea, and well executed. As a teacher and student of Scripture, this is a resource I will value highly.

Final note: Readers may want to be aware of the imminent publication of The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization (ed. George T. Kurian; Blackwell), a massive, 4-volume compendium. Ambitious in scope, with a large number of fascinating entries. Publication has been delayed until early 2009, however.

The following is an interesting article from Greg Atkinson posted at Monday Morning Insight:

Okay, I’m going to be very transparent and honest about three of my favorite things to do. Besides using a Q-tip deeper than any Q-tip should ever go (which is probably my favorite silly thing to do), I also love getting my hair cut. I don’t know why, but it’s a very relaxing and fun part of my life that I look forward to. My third favorite thing to do happens at night when I’m lying in bed and just looking up at the ceiling and thinking. After a little amount of time, the pillow will become warm, uncomfortable and a little distracting. All I have to do to remedy the situation is flip my pillow over to the “cool side” and I experience terrific refreshment, a true AHHHHH moment. It’s crazy, really. All I do is turn the pillow over, but it brings me such joy and allows me to lie there a little longer: comfortable, happy and undistracted, to just think and pray. 

Why do I bring this up? Because in our daily lives, I think we need to “flip the pillow” from time to time to shake things up, experience a new joy and see things in a different way. Here are a few thoughts on how to change things up in our everyday routines. Now, forgive me, these are random and I’m just going to spout them out…

Before you go to bed, put a bottle of water next to your bed. When you wake up, sit up on the side of your bed and take a big drink of your bottled water. I read an article on the many benefits of water a couple of years ago. One thing the article mentioned was the advantages (which I can’t remember all) of drinking water first thing in the morning. It refreshes, flushes, and replenishes your system and gets your body going bright and early. Another morning change would be to take a quick walk around your neighborhood before getting in the shower. So to rewind: sit up, drink water, put on your shoes and go out for an early morning walk (or jog, if you’re up for it). Then come back and shower before leaving for school or work.

Now, on the way to school or work, try taking an alternate or different route from time to time. If you drive the same way and see the same things each morning, your mind will resort back to a kind of blah mode and you can easily miss the beauty of God’s creation. Each day is a gift from God and an opportunity to pray, give thanks and talk with your Creator throughout your morning drive. Taking the back or side roads once in a while may just spur on a new appreciation of your surroundings and allow you to arrive at school or work in an unusually positive and peaceful mood. I’d also propose turning off the radio or i-Pod occasionally and just riding in silence – that’s when I find God speaks to me. It’s hard for me to hear Him when I’m listening to music or sports talk radio.

My next suggestion has to do with spending time with God. This includes private worship, prayer and time in God’s Word. I have a few thoughts on this. One is to try a different time of the day to do this daily discipline. If you always do this in the morning, try it one night before bed (or vice versa). Another suggestion is to connect with God during your lunch break, maybe even once in a while forego eating and spend that whole time in prayer and the Word.

Another thought on spending time with God is on the location. As often as you can, I’d encourage you to do this outside. There is something very special about connecting with the Creator while admiring His creation. Some of the best devotional times I’ve had were in scenic locations (like beaches, mountains and parks).

One final thought on this subject is a “praise break” sometime throughout your day. One thing that employees in other countries do well is take full advantage of breaks and times of rest and refreshment. If you stare at a screen from 9am to 5pm your life pretty much sucks. Did I say that out loud? I meant to say that though your day may be predominately sitting at a desk and typing on a computer, you can be intentional to stand up, stretch, take a walk down the hall or outside, take a break to pray, sing or just do nothing and listen. This will save your eyes, lessen headaches and allow you to “practice the presence of God” throughout the day as Brother Lawrence described in his book.

If you have the option, try going mobile for a day or an afternoon. I do this often. I will leave my office, tell my team I’m “going mobile” and go to a cool location with my laptop. Sometimes I find a local Wi-Fi hotspot so I can be online. Sometimes I just go “unplugged” and write or read for a while. Bring a journal with you. You never know when or where God may speak to you.

Besides when and where you have your quiet time with God, there are ways to change up how you spend that time. Here are a few thoughts on that. First, when reading Scripture, try a different translation. I highly recommend reading something from The Message at least once a week. God uses The Message to open my heart and eyes, so I can see His Word in a whole new way. Changing translations from time to time allows the Holy Spirit to breathe new life into passages that you may have read several times and tend to just glance over.

Here are a couple of thoughts on reading your Bible. First, read slowly. We’re all guilty of reading through Scripture too quickly. We let our eyes scan the pages and don’t give the Word time to soak and digest. For a change of pace, try reading one sentence at a time and reflect on that sentence before moving on. Secondly, read aloud. The Bible exhorts us to “shout unto God”. There is something powerful and supernatural that happens when you read Scripture aloud. I will sometimes hold the Bible in my hand, walk around my bedroom and read the Scripture out loud with boldness. I can’t quite describe how it resonates with my spirit, but I know it’s powerful and the atmosphere in my room changes.

Third, I’d very humbly suggest that you read Scripture simply to know God more intimately. This might appear obvious, but believe me it takes a lot of intentionality to do this. Most pastors admit that they wrestle with reading the Bible purely to know God more and not in preparation for a sermon. Youth pastors struggle with reading Scripture purely and not just to find a new illustration to use in teaching. Worship leaders and songwriters often find themselves reading the Bible looking for inspiration for new songs. None of these things are bad. Pastors need to prepare their messages from Scripture. Youth pastors should look for Biblical illustrations and musicians should be writing theologically correct songs. I just bring this up as something to keep present in your mind when you’re reading Scripture as part of your daily quiet time or devotional. Try as best you can to read simply for the joy of knowing Christ more.

In addition to private worship, prayer and reading the Bible, I’d encourage you to check your church’s library or a Christian book store for devotional material or Bible studies that you can use to supplement your time in Scripture. God uses the writings and devotional thoughts of others to speak to our hearts in new ways and give you a fresh perspective on various topics and Scripture passages.

When you come home, you can change up how you have dinner. My family and I like to do picnics from time to time. Eating on our patio, walking to our neighborhood park or driving to a remote place are all things that we’ve tried to “flip the pillow” as a family. Sometimes you can cut off the TV for the night and play cards, board games or just talk. Again, these aren’t routines I’m suggesting; these are occasional breaks from the norm that just might be a catalyst for an unexpected moment of joy.

Friends, life is tough. Pain is real. We all have areas of our life, family or finances that we worry or stress over. The truth is: life is short and life is precious. One of the saddest things we can do is to lose our focus and live frustrated. God’s Word says that His joy will be our strength. Christ has not promised an easy or pain-free life, but He has promised to be our peace, our Comforter, our strength, our hope and to never forsake us. God’s not abandoning us in our time of need. He’s not distant. His ear can hear our cry and His hand is quick to catch us, brush us off and pick us up when we stumble and/or fall (and we will).

I think turning the pillow over from time to time; or as some used to say, “Stopping and smelling the roses” may be a refreshing change of pace. I think things like I’ve suggested and other ideas that God may prompt and put on your heart are ways to snap out of the norm, break free from the ruts and routines that we all find ourselves in, and wake up to the wonderful life that God has given us and called us to walk in Him.

©2007 – Greg Atkinson (http://www.GregAtkinson.com) 
Used by permission from author. All rights reserved by author. This article first appeared in LifeWay’s “Let’s Worship” magazine.

Greg Atkinson lives in Dallas with his wife and their three small children. Greg served previously as the Director of WorshipHouse Media, after having served as a worship pastor for 11 years. Greg is now the Director of Technical Arts at Bent Tree Church and continues to consult, teach and write about innovation, technology, leadership and social justice. You can connect with him through his daily blog at GregAtkinson.com. 

Craig Groeschel at Swerve has some insight on what to do when you are feeling lukewarm:

Question: What do you do when you realize you are lukewarm?

Answer: You do something drastic!

If some small change would have made the difference in your spiritual life, you would have made the change a long time ago.

You might:

• Start a seven day fast and devote extra time to seeking God.
• Take a sabbatical and pray like you haven’t in years.
• Confess to your spouse, your elders, or to trusted friends and ask for help.
• Seek spiritual counseling from another pastor or counselor.
• Take the week off and go to a hotel alone with no cell phone, no computer, and no books but the Bible.
• Read a children’s bible and pretend like you’re hearing the gospel story for the very first time.
• Repent to your family for your lack of spiritual passion and leadership.
• Tell your church honestly that you are struggling and invite them to pray for you.
• You might turn off your computer now and go somewhere and cry and repent deeply.

Whatever you do, it should be drastic and you should do it before another voice talks you out of it.

Craig Groeshel had an interesting post over at Swerve:

Signs of a Lukewarm Pastor
Craig Groeshel

What am I forgetting? Do you see any of this in yourself?

The Resurgence had an interesting article about engaging culture:

In a recent interview, singer/songwriter Rufus Wainwright surprisingly remarked: “We’re so obsessed about debunking Bush in this country that we don’t spend time on any other subjects. That’s a little depressing.” Wainwright’s point is that many Americans neglect a whole range of cultural issues, often neglecting political engagement for finger-pointing.

What’s more depressing is that many Christians are just as guilty of this charge as non-Christians. As a result, there are few citizens who think through cultural issues critically, and even fewer who think them throughredemptively. Here are six ways to promote critical and redemptive engagement with culture.

1. Engage culture prayerfully. I’m not suggesting that we should actually bow our heads and recite a prayer before reading a newspaper or book, watching TV or a movie, or going shopping, though that certainly wouldn’t hurt. Instead, we are to live life and engage culture in a spirit of dependence upon God; we are to pray without ceasing (1 Thess. 5:17). We should approach culture just as we should approach all things: prayerfully.

   What should we pray? We should thank God for the gift of culture, confessing that all cultures contain truth, beauty, and virtue, asking Him to help us recognize and rejoice in these good gifts, which come down from the Father of lights (James 1:17). Alternatively, all cultures also disdain truth, beauty, and virtue. Thus, we are dependent upon God to enable us to recognize and reject those things that are harmfully false, ugly, and immoral. By asking God to give us the perspective of His Spirit, “the Spirit who searches out all things, even the depths of God” (1 Cor. 2:10), we can begin to discern between the things which are true, beautiful, and good and the things that are false, ugly, and evil.




2. Engage culture carefully. When approaching any given issue, from parenting to politics, we all have our biases. In order to engage culture well, we must strive to avoid the paths of both the sectarian and the secularist, of both blind rejection and uncritical acceptance. This will require careful investigation into the issues we face, taking the opposing view seriously and weighing its merits. Make a habit of hearing both sides of an issue before you baptize your opinions. Be slow to speak and quick to listen (James 1:19).




3. Engage culture biblically-theologically. Why hyphenate biblical and theological? Why not just say “think biblically”? Well, the plain fact is that the Bible does not explicitly address most cultural issues. It does not tell you who to vote for, which school to go to, what movies to watch, whether or not you should date, whether or not to abort your baby, or how to respond to cloning. Instead, the Bible offers theological principles which we can appropriate in order to form opinions and convictions about cultural issues. For instance, there is no verse in the Bible that reads: “Thou shalt not have an abortion.” However, the Bible does inform us that God is the author of life and that to take human life is murder, which is prohibited by God. The circumstances surrounding abortion can be complex. A mother’s life may be threatened if the life of the baby is not taken. The Bible does not say, “Preserve the mother’s life.” However, there are principles and practices in Scripture that can help us make wise decisions about cultural and ethical dilemmas.

   The problem, however, is that we often start with culturalassumptions about what is right, beautiful, and good and go to the Bible to prove them. Instead, we need to bring cultural questionsabout what is true, good, and beautiful to the Bible, reflect on them theologically and then prayerfully, and carefully form our opinions. Don’t begin with cultural convictions and end with biblical proof-texts; end with cultural wisdom by beginning with biblical-theological reflection. Start with the biblical text and reflect theologically on cultural issues. Move from Text to Theology to Culture, not the other way around.




4. Engage culture redemptively. Strive to connect your theological reflections regarding culture to redemption. We can redemptively engage culture in two ways: practically and positionally. To practically redeem, identify what is broken, what is in need of redemption, and take restorative action. Ask yourself questions like “How can I bring the gospel to bear on this issue?” or “How can I restore, forgive, or reconcile in this situation?” For example, if you come to the conviction that abortion is ugly and immoral, think about how you can help those who are suffering from the devastating affects of abortion. Don’t just debate others. Volunteer at a crisis pregnancy center. Learn how to counsel mothers. Don’t become self-righteous and inactive; practice your cultural convictions. Live them out redemptively.

   Our practice should flow from our position in Christ. Our actions ought to reveal our redeemed identity, not form our identity. Consider the danger of mistaking your newly-formed habits for who you are. For instance, do you think of yourself now as an environmentalist or as a citizen of Zion with an environmental conscience? Do you draw significance from being a “pro-lifer” or from being new creation in Christ Jesus? Ask yourself, “Am I confusing my practice with my position?” or “Am I finding my significance in what I do instead of who I am in Christ?” Guard yourself from subtly allowing cultural convictions to take the place of your identity in Christ. Ground your identity in the gospel and your practice will be more redemptive and more honoring to the Lord.




5. Engage culture humbly. Recognize that you have much to learn from a given culture. Read, converse, and reflect on cultural issues with a teachable heart. Ask God to shape your convictions through whomever or whatever He wills. Avoid proud dogmatism and cultivate humble conviction. Don’t put others down who believe differently from you. Consider others more important than yourself without surrendering your convictions. Yet, be willing to revise your opinions through a process of Text-Theology-Culture.




6. Engage culture selectively. Realize and embrace the limitations of your own time, experience, and interests. Spend your time wisely. Don’t sacrifice time with God, church, or family in order to become more culturally savvy. Everyone has been created differently, to live a unique life. Make the most of your experience by redemptively engaging culture, but try to avoid making the experience of others your own. There are too many issues in the world for you to become an overnight expert on Christ and culture. Be selective about what you engage.

Summarizing the Six Ways

When engaging culture prayerfully, we depend on the wisdom that comes from the Spirit who searches out all cultures, who can enable us to recognize and rejoice in what is true, beautiful, and good, and reject or redeem what is false, ugly, and immoral. As a result, engaging culture can become an act of communion with God. Relying on the wisdom of the Spirit will also mean careful investigation of cultural issues, being critical of our own biases while maintaining an open ear to the arguments of others. However, we’re not left to navigate the turbulent waters of our culture with only prayer and reason. God has given us his Word, a divine and authoritative Text from which we can glean wisdom and theological principles to engage culture.

When wrestling with issues, we must be careful to bring questions, not assumptions, from our culture to the Word, following a pattern of Text-Theology-Culture. This biblical-theological engagement with culture should always lead to redemptive action, restoring what is ugly and immoral from our position as accepted children of God, citizens of Zion. In turn, we can engage culture humbly and selectively, recognizing our limitations and rejoicing in our unique opportunities to engage the world around us.

Finally, try to practice these six ways of engaging culture not just as an individual but in community. To put a spin on Rufus Wainwright’s words: Only when the Church in this country becomes obsessed with glorifying God in all things will we critically and redemptively engage our culture on all kinds of subjects.