Cultural Confusion & the Church

A secular worldview has infiltrated the church. The values of our culture are pragmatic, narcissistic and relativistic – and these views have seeped into the church. We must wake up to these influences and stem the tide of unbiblical changes, beliefs and practices INSIDE the church. We also can and must winsomely engage others in turning to the Truth.

Chapter 13 in Changing Churches describes in detail the impact of secular influences including new age beliefs in our culture, church and even in our family.  Ravi Zacharias speaks to some of these cultural changes. (Quotation edited for clarity and brevity.)

     Spirituality is writ large in the West as gurus come and go…

·        How is it that a culture that once frowned upon certain sexual practices now frowns upon those who frown upon them?

·        How is it that from the normal use of language in public broadcasting in [the past] even mild deviations were viewed as serious infractions, [while] we now experience on a daily basis entertainment that has moved…to the crassness of shock and vulgarity?

·        Why is it that the more perverse the story, the greater the audience it draws on television or at the theater?

Has all this happened because our taboos were wrong or is it that, in a very real sense, we have pushed the Replay button on the saga of Eden and can now look, touch, and taste anything we wish to because we have become gods, determining for ourselves what is right and what is wrong?

A couple of years ago I reread George Orwell’s book, 1984, a dystopian novel published in 1949. I noted in my journal the haunting nature of the book in which citizens are taught slogans redefining truth — “War is Peace”, “Freedom is Slavery,” and “Ignorance is Strength.” I included in my journal a quote from the book spoken by one of the totalitarian Big Brothers: “In the successful manipulation of the mind the person is no longer saying the opposite of what he thinks, but he thinks the opposite of what is true. Thus he has suspended his independence and his integrity completely.”

Truth is further being redefined today. We can all think of examples of this.

John MacArthur says “Truth is that which is consistent with the mind, will, character, glory and being of God. “ Christians, we need to be strong in our faith so we can stand firm against the assaults on the truth. We know the Truth.

Jesus is the Truth. Guard the Truth.                

Blessings, Dottie