Engaging a Fractured Culture
We seem to hear more about the social justice agenda than the teachings of the Bible. To which do we align ourselves? Christianity inherently challenges prevailing cultural norms. Thus, as Christians, how do we live faithfully in a fractured culture and impart biblical truths to those around us? Transforming a culture necessitates a deep understanding. We should engage with the world by exemplifying truth and grace, underpinned by scriptural support.
Divine guidance is
sorely needed!
The church, now more than ever, should seek divine guidance to actively participate in societal matters. Rod Dreher in Live Not by Lies, poignantly advised, “Don’t be afraid to be seen as unusual by societal standards.”
The choice we face is simple. Conform passively or “model moral courage” and uphold biblical truth , regardless of the consequences. The foundations many of us built our lives upon are now quaking (Psalm 11:3).
Chelsen Vicari, the Evangelical Program Director at the Institute on Religion and Democracy, admits that although she grew up in the church, she once fully embraced feminism, rejected her parents’ beliefs about homosexuality, and subscribed to a distorted social justice narrative that equated concern for the poor with promoting socialism and criticized the United States’ free market economy. However, she later experienced the transformative power of God, reshaping her views.
God’s power can
reshape one’s views
In her commentary for CNN, Rachel Held Evans noted that Millennials, like most people, desire an end to the ongoing culture wars and seek harmony between science and faith.
They seek recognition for their values instead of their oppositions and are eager to embrace challenges that promote a more virtuous way of life, which includes humility, care for the marginalized, reconciliation, environmental stewardship, and peacemaking.
Evan W. Rohrs-Dodge differentiates ‘social justice’ from ‘social holiness,’ suggesting that the latter involves a divine restoration of the individual through grace, leading to sanctification within a community.
Without understanding divine grace, efforts toward social justice may focus too heavily on societal structures at the expense of individual transformation and God-centered action.
John Wesley declared, “The gospel of Christ knows of no religion, but social; no holiness but social holiness. Faith working by love, is the length and breadth and depth and height of Christian perfection.”
Social justice is not
social holiness
P. Douglas Small has discussed the critical need for a Great Awakening that would recalibrate godly values throughout society.
This awakening would foster the rise of principled leaders from within the church, capable of influencing and stabilizing governments during turbulent times.. Such an awakening hinges on revivals within the church, which in turn can inspire broader societal changes. In other words, the changes we seek must start with us.
We maintain hope that engaging young generations, such as Millennials and Gen Z, with the Gospel will usher in a new era of principled leaders and fervent preachers. These revitalized figures might navigate the political landscape with integrity, thereby driving essential reforms.
Martin Luther envisioned the raw power of Scripture, free from political manipulation. Indeed, it is time for the church to seek the Lord’s guidance and proactively engage in shaping culture, empowered by the strength provided by the Scriptures.
