We live in the midst of a culture controlled by excessive individualism. In other words, more and more individuals have begun to think that each person determines what is right for himself or herself. This kind of thinking controlled the people in the days of the Judges when the writer said, “In those days there was no king in Israel; every man did what was right in his own eyes,” (Judges 17:6; 21”25). They had a king, God, but they ignored Him. Therefore, each person did what he or she thought was right. Those were some of the darkest, most chaotic years in Israel’s history. The same can be said for us today. The results they had are the same results today – immorality, irreverence and disrespect for any authority. Even as wicked as some individuals in this culture are, they are made in the image of God (Genesis 1;26) and Christ died for them as well as for us (I John 2:1-2; John 3:16). God has commanded that the church be “the pillar and support of the truth, (I Timothy 3:15). So, how can we reach this culture with the gospel so that they can be saved?
Because the church is “the pillar and support of the truth” the church has always been counterculture. The world has always been upside down and needed to be turned right-side-up (Acts 17:6 KJV). Paul gave a great summary about how we should go about turning the world back to God. He wrote, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete,” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). Denny Petrillo has done such a great job explaining this passage, I am just going to quote what he said in 2008 Workshop in the Word commentary. (The explanation is lengthy, but worth our read to help us understand Paul’s great message).
“Paul identify (sic) the four acts of war he will initiate: He says that (1) we are destroying speculations. This is the first of four participles that are based upon the principal verb “we fight” in v. 3. The opponents do not have truth on their side, but human speculations. Paul will destroy these, as well as (2) every lofty thing. Men propose great and powerful arguments. Paul will take them out, showing that they did not have a divine origin. This is vital because these arguments were against the knowledge of God – therefore were blocking men from seeing the truth of the gospel. Next, Paul says that they will (3) take every thought captive. …as with point two, Paul is talking about the arguments and vain reasoning of the false teachers. Their points will be taken captive, and like prisoners, will be removed and forced to yield to Christ (to the obedience of Christ). Remember, every other point is negative; therefore logic would demand that this one be understood in a negative sense as well. As he finishes his threats, Paul says he will (4) punish all disobedience. This is not referring to people, since Paul is not interested in destroying people – just their false arguments that destroy men’s souls (unless this punishment is disfellowshipping – cf. 2:6). The action taken will only be done whenever your obedience is complete. It would be fruitless to confront the false teachers only to have virtually no support from the church.”
Our Actions
First, help them see the consequences of their worldview (A worldview is the standard by which one lives his or her life). Everyone has a worldview whether or not one is aware of that word. To the best of our ability and to the best of their willingness to listen, we need to help them see the consequences of their view. An amoral (having no moral standard) culture soon becomes an immoral culture filled with victims of crime and violence. A culture in which every man is a law unto himself is a culture in chaos and anarchy. Help them see the wickedness described in the Book of Judges and help them see what is happening in our society.
Second, show them the inconsistency of their worldview. Basically, their worldview is that there are no absolutes. Even though they say everyone is right and there are no absolutes in life, they want absolutes. The space industry operates because there are absolutes. They can shoot rockets into space and hit their moving target because the solar system operates on an absolute time schedule. Scientific laws such as gravity operate on an absolute truth. Do they want absolute truth with they ask the pharmacist to fill a prescription? Yes, they do! Getting away from the absolute proportions in medicine may cause death. Do they want the bankers to operate on a system of absolute truth when it comes to their money? Yes, indeed! The only areas where people who say there are no absolutes want no absolutes are (1) Morals, and (2) Religion.
Third, show them the hopelessness of their worldview. The Christian life is the best life. Jesus said that He came “that they may have life, and have it abundantly,” (John 10:10). The Christan worldview offers guidance in life. Jeremiah said, “I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not in himself, nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps,” (Jeremiah 10:23). Peter said, “His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His sown glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). It’s unfortunate that sinful people think Christianity is a burden. Actually, “His commandments are not burdensome” (I John 5:3).
Unfortunately, the sinful worldview offers no hope beyond this life. The Christian worldview offers life after death (I Corinthians 15). Jesus promised, “Do not let your heart be troubled, believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also,” (John 14:1-3).
Wayne Burger
