Engaging Culture without losing the Gospel

Sometimes I feel as though we are in the endless wake of some event, decision, ruling, tragedy or disaster.  Our society, our nation, our culture is rapidly changing in core values, and is becoming increasingly intolerant, even hostile to the Christian worldview.  Only one in seven people now attend church at least once a month, and the number of people identifying as having ‘no religion’ in Australia is predicted be greater than 50% in the 2021 census. 


All of these statistics point to a changing culture, and especially an increasing gulf between faith and the everyday life of the average Aussie. As our nation moves out of our comfortable nominal Christian orbit, the Church (and Christians) will become more counter-cultural and less accepted in everyday life.  So how should we respond?


Firstly we must remember that we are called to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), and not to win arguments (2 Timothy 2:23-24).  It’s true we are not called to conform, and should certainly speak to our beliefs.  Jesus was bold in calling out sin, but he also had the advantage of knowing intimately the hearts of those he rebuked. We don’t, and we’re in danger of trampling vulnerable people as a result.  Being argumentative (antagonistic or defensive) does not aid conversation; when we choose to speak up, it must be done prayerfully, carefully, humbly, honestly, relationally, wisely and above all with love.


This does not mean however that we simply “go with the flow” and change doctrine and practice to fit in with the prevailing culture (Romans 12:1-2).  The bottom line is that we are called to be more like Jesus, not more like the world (1 John 2:6).


And we should not withdraw from the world; Christ has commissioned us to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16); Instead I believe that we need to think about how it is that we engage; if we want to see our nation truly be a Christian nation it starts with our own choices and behaviours; as one wise person once wrote: “Paul did not arouse the opposition of the silversmiths by picketing the temple or staging anti-idolatry rallies. All he did was teach the truth daily and send out his converts to witness to the lost people in the city. As more and more people got converted, fewer and fewer customers were available.”


The unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ stands firmly at the intersection of the changing currents of culture, offering hope, and engaging people, their longings, and their questions with the truth and love of God.  Our role is simply to love people and point them to Jesus, He will do the rest.


Grace & Peace
Jen