Engaging Our Culture

In light of the tragedies at Littleton, Col., and most recently in Conyers, Ga., there has been much discussion in the public press about the role of popular culture in these events. It would be tempting merely to blame these things on the influence of popular culture, as if the key to change here is merely to eliminate the objectionable features of that culture. It would be nice to be assured that if we only got rid of anything that might corrupt our young people, we would have the assurance that never again would we have the sorts of situations that have brought such pain and suffering to so many. But we know it is not what goes into a person that defiles him, but what comes out (Matt. 15:11). The problem is always the problem of our fallen nature and the sinful choices and actions that result.

On the other hand, the Word of God, warns us against the erosive nature of life in this fallen world: "If, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first" (2 Pet. 2:20).

Therefore, as we weigh the choices offered today in our culture, particularly the pop culture in which our young people live and move and have their being, we need to redouble our efforts to help them "filter" the messages they receive. This does not happen by accident, nor can we assume they will "naturally" reach God-pleasing conclusions. We know that within each one of us there is that struggle between the old man and new man. Therefore, through His apostles, Peter and Paul, our Lord has spoken clearly: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance" (1 Pet. 1:14) and "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom. 12:2).

Recognizing the dangers of popular culture is the first step in helping our young people deal with it. And we dare never underestimate the powerful influence of pop culture in the lives of our people. There is, of course, a fine line. We are not Amish. We do not "shun" the world. We do not attempt to escape from it. We recognize that we should not, and can not, seal ourselves off from the world, nor is that what God expects of us (1 Cor. 5:10). Quite the opposite. Our Lord said, "Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:16).

It is a powerful temptation for Christians to develop a "bunker" mentality and avoid engagement with our culture. But it is precisely in such engagement that we are able to let our lights shine. The temptation, of course, is to so embrace popular culture that the church is indistinguishable from that culture. The other temptation is to so isolate ourselves that we fear even to reach out and tell the good news of Jesus. Needless to say, it will always remain a very delicate balancing act?to be in the world, but not of the world. Our Lord said, "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; so be shrewd as serpents and innocent as doves" (Matt. 10:16).

A recent book wisely observes in this connection:

"Ultimately, we don't believe the issue is whether the church will be responsive, but how the church will be so. Said another way, the issue is not whether the church will engage the wider culture, but how it will engage it. The church most effectively engages the wider culture, not when it strives to be more like it in order to gain a hearing, but when it strives to be responsive to God's calling for it to be a sign, a foretaste, and a herald of God's work in the world.

"We offer unbelievers little, except perhaps more and better reasons to persist in their unbelief, when they see little that distinguishes the people of God from the rest of the world." [1]

So, the challenge we have from the Lord is to let the light shine that God has given us, and as we do, God will bless. He really will. So, let it shine!
 

[1] Philip D. Kenneson and James L. Street, Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing [Nashville:
Abingdon Press, 1997], pg. 160.