A Christian's Response to Turbulent Cultural Changes!

Let's face it. Our world is changing. Issues and platforms that were unheard of only a few years ago have come into prominence. Discussion on the church's view on the LGBT movement, female clergy, social and political issues, and abortion continue to make waves.

 

We live in a post-modern society where traditional Christian values are no longer being held as the standard and the norm. This is just the fact of the matter.

 

How should a Christian respond in times like these?

 

1. Stop acting surprised. Seriously, you can't say that you didn't see these issues coming. Christians should be anything but sheltered. It's the emotion of surprise and shock that the unregenerate world sees and translates upon Christians as being sheltered and bigoted. Christians need to do their homework and research by being around people and understanding what the cultural influences are in the world.

 

2. Stop posting your negative thoughts regarding contrary issues on social media. Christians should be known more for what we stand for than what we stand against. Posting and commenting negatively concerning contrary issues on social media only solidifies in people's minds that Christians are narrow minded. Think twice before sharing something.

 

3. Proactively build bridges. The battle to change people is never won in their minds it's won in their hearts. If someone has a different view than take the time to get to know them and why they have that view. If everyone is created in the image of God than that person has significance and value. I hope people see me as a person of deep unwavering conviction who still cares about people, even if we don't agree on every issue.

 

4. Focus on community. People will be attracted to Christianity only if it is modeled in such a way that fosters true camaraderie and depth of relationship. Everyone is looking for community. If people get the sense that Christianity is artificial relationally than our words will ring hollow.

 

5. Pray. Nothing changes unless God moves in a person's and societies heart. Take solace in the fact that He is in control and has a plan. He is faithful when everyone is faithless.

 

What are your thoughts & comments? Agree?

 

What Standards Should A Christian Use In Voting?

This post will most likely surprise you. You have been forwarned.

 

I may be splitting hairs, but I believe that there is a difference concerning how Christians should think when it comes to voting for someone to be their pastor and in voting for someone to be our president. When you juxtapose both offices there are some clear contrasts.

 

 The Bible is clear on the standards we should hold when it comes to people who are pastors/elders.

 

1 Timothy 3:1- 7

"Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap."

 

On the contrary, Christians are called to submit and follow the government that is placed upon us. The only time to disobey is if the government is mandating that we do things contrary to God's law. There are no particular standards that are mentioned in electing government officials. Our job is to simply obey and let the gospel shine through us by following a higher calling.

 

Romans 13:1-2

"Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves."

 

Rationally there are some people who would make a great pastor but who would be a lousy politician or president and vice a versa. The type of office is different and needs a slightly different standard of evaluation.

 

Here are my THREE criteria for who I vote for:

 

1. Character - Is the candidate a person of trust and values? Are they moral? Remember though, this person is not running for the office of pastor. They may have some variances concerning different thoughts and stances on certain issues than you. That's ok. The main question we should be concerning with is who they are as a person and what they stand for.

 

2. Leadership Ability & Acumen  - Is the candidate a person that can move the country in the right direction? Do they have what it takes to move forward, even when they are opposed or are in the minority? Leaders are hard to find. Courage is rarer still.

 

3. Knowledge -  Does the person have the amount of knowledge to succeed or have they put a good enough advisory team in place to cover for their weaknesses? Information is power. A person's experiences are crucial. Have they shown a good track record of learning from both past mistakes and their successes?

 

What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree?