The Lutheran Hour
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"New Life Comes from Christ, Not Culture"
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Text: Romans 12:2
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PRAYER: Blessed heavenly Father, in Your mercy, You love us even though we don’t deserve it. The psalmist says, “O Lord You have not dealt with us according to our sins.” Heavenly Father, send Your Spirit of hope to those hurting. Lift up the discouraged. Through Your living Word, give unto all who have “ears to hear” the full assurance of total forgiveness in the sin atoning blood of Jesus Christ and the blessed assurance of living with You in Paradise forever. Amen
Last April, Newsweek magazine published a major article titled, “The Changing Face of the Church.” In this article Newsweek columnist Kenneth L. Woodward reveals how Christianity is “exploding” all over the world. Woodward also emphasizes in this explosion the Christian faith is being transformed or changed!
Especially in Africa, where the big explosion is now taking place, many independent Christian groups are developing teachings, which have “no ties whatsoever to historic Christian faith.” Consequently, instead of this new Christianity changing the culture, all too often the culture is changing Christianity!
How can modern heresies so quickly distort the Christian faith? Here is the disturbing answer. Woodward also notes many of these new Christian groups are “inspired, not by the Bible, but by ‘personal prophecies and visions.'” Let’s be honest. Christianity may indeed be distorted in places like far off Africa. It is always easy to point the finger. However, this same work of the devil is now taking place in the United States and Canada. Woodward “further points out” that many who call themselves Christians today “tend to take from the Bible whatever they find comfortable but ignore whatever fails to resonate with their own religious traditions.”
Now, doesn’t this sound familiar? Haven’t you heard people say they take what is comfortable from this denomination or from that religious group and then put it together into what they like?
Not long ago a major secular news magazine ridiculed this approach calling it cheap “cafeteria” religion. Therefore, as exciting as it may seem to read how Christianity appears to be exploding in so many parts of the world, it is also a serious concern that many of these new Christian movements “cave in.” They conform to the culture instead of impacting and transforming the secular pressures around them. This is why the Newsweek columnist concludes that, “In the process, the Gospel has not only been transmitted, it has also been repeatedly reinterpreted,” or totally distorted!
The Apostle Paul was extremely concerned that Christians not be overpowered and overcome by their culture. “Be not conformed to this world:” he writes, “but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind so you may prove what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2).
Now, it’s my guess you may not want your life “conformed” to the hopelessness of secularism. But, you also may feel “at a loss” as to how to prevent “the emptiness” and meaninglessness of secularism “to conform you” and to dominate your thinking. This is where the Apostle Paul “gives you” such Good News and so much hope-all based in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle writes: “Let the Word {not the culture} of the Lord Jesus Christ dwell in you richly” (Colossians 3:16).
The Apostle Paul was not introducing a new teaching here. He was only echoing the words of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ, who was crucified on the bloody cross and raised again from the dead. This Jesus said clearly and powerfully, “the Words I have spoken to you are Spirit and they are life.” When Jesus was tempted by the devil our blessed Savior said, “Man cannot live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”
Now, if you find yourself spiritually weak or even religiously confused, maybe “you feel this way” because you are not feeding your soul on God’s life sustaining bread, His holy living and life giving Word. Just as you sit down “to eat” several times a day and receive food through your mouth to strengthen your body, so also God is inviting you at least once a week to attend church, His spiritual “restaurant,” so you might also receive through your eyes and ears spiritual food as you read and hear His life giving Word. Oh, indeed, we need to recall the words Jesus spoke to Martha when He said there are only “a few things in life” that are important. Really only one, and this is that we are to read, study, meditate and listen to the life transforming and hope giving Word of our Lord. Then, my friends, you will not be conformed to the hopelessness of this world. Instead, you will be transformed by God’s Word and Spirit. You will be enabled to say with the Apostle Peter, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again- transformed into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”
The battle, my friends, with the devil tempting you to drift away from genuine Christianity, is not a new temptation. In the Old Testament book of Numbers, Scripture records how Balak, the king of Moab, was terrified and filled with dread. King Balak was scared of God’s people, because he saw how the Israelites defeated the Amorites. Balak knew he could not defeat the Israelites military. So this clever King hired a well-known pagan religious teacher to deceive and corrupt the people of God from within.
This false teacher, Balaam, passed himself off as a spokesman for God. And like all false prophets, Balaam told the Israelites what they wanted to hear. Balaam told God’s people they could enjoy the worldly pleasures and the conforming influence of the surrounding Moabite culture. Tragically, God’s Word records that “Israel…began to play the harlot with the secular daughters of Moab. The Moabites then invited the Israelites to the sacrifices of their gods. And guess what? Like so many people today tempted to follow religions other than true historic Christianity, these Israelites conformed to the culture of their day. “They ate, they bowed down to these false gods” (Numbers 25:1-2). Now keep in mind this did not happen suddenly! It happened gradually. Finally the Israelites followed, not the Spirit of the true God but sinful secularism. “The Lord was angry,” the Bible tells us, and sent a “plague on the sons of Israel and those who died by the plague [numbered] 24,000” (Numbers 25:8-9).
So important was this tragic Old Testament event to the early church that the Apostle Peter in his New Testament epistle reminds all Christians, even today, of the dire consequences whenever we permit our faith to absorb the values of our culture and thereby conform to it. The Apostle Peter speaks of these people as having “gone astray, having followed the way of Balaam” (2 Peter 2:14-15).
The Old Testament is not the only section of the Bible that warns against conforming to the culture of secularism. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus warned Christians in the Asian city of Ephesus against absorbing and becoming culturally conformed to the false teaching of the Nicolaitians. The city of Ephesus was at the hub of three great trade routes. Ephesus was also a hub for imperial pagan worship. Scattered throughout the city, pagan temples drew large numbers of people to worship. Those who worshipped at these temples often satisfied their sexual desires through immoral practices done in the name of religion.
Like many people today, the Nicolaitians of the book of Revelation liked, even lusted, for what their culture offered. Again, like so many today, they desired to satisfy themselves under the guise of religion. Thus, the Nicolaitians convinced some Christians to believe it was perfectly acceptable for them to both worship God and absorb the pagan practices of the culture that surrounded them.
However, this was not acceptable to God. In Revelation, Jesus said, “I hate the practices of the Nicolaitians.”
Oh friends, now is not the time to be confused about religion. Instead, let the Word of God dwell in your heart and life richly. As the Apostle Paul says, “Let God’s Word in Jesus Christ cleanse you and forgive you and enable you to turn away from the overpowering forces of our secular culture.” Turn off the television and turn to the Bible. Instead, set aside some time every day to meditate on God’s life-giving and transforming Word. Then, live with the blessed assurance of God’s uplifting Word spoken by Isaiah the prophet who said, “And the LORD will continually guide you. He will satisfy your desire in scorched places. He will give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail” (Is 58:11).
So, my friends, each time Satan seeks to conform you to this world by tempting you to buy supermarket tabloids, which focus on silly and sensational Hollywood gossip, simply say “No!” to the devil. Don’t permit Satan to lead your mind to seek the lowest gutter of humanity. Instead, let your mind be cleansed and renewed by the Spirit of God. Live every day by the inspired words of the Apostle Paul. “Let the word of Christ dwell within you richly.”
The Apostle Paul continues with God’s good news to you today when he says, “Keep seeking the things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, and not on the things on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.”
O Lord, let this hope in Christ be a reality for all those who have heard Your word today. Amen.
LUTHERAN HOUR MAILBOX (Questions & Answers) for June 17, 2001
ANNOUNCER: In today’s message, Dr. Schulz, I heard good news and bad news concerning the growth of the Christian church. The good news, I suppose, is that the Christian church seems to be expanding and growing in various parts of the world. The bad news is that this growth doesn’t seem to be connected in any significant way with the historic Christian faith. Is this a recent development?
SCHULZ: I suppose there has been some of this, Mark. However, more recently it seems a bit more intense. I think it is important to note that it is not the Christian leaders of today raising the alarm about the erosion of the Christian faith. Much of the concern of historic Christianity being distorted has been reported in the secular press. Now that may shock us, but if you look, that is where it is.
ANNOUNCER: Where do you think this is leading us?
SCHULZ: I suppose church history will tell us a little bit here. You see, in every century whenever radical views and ideas have been taught and promoted, the church has issued statements, creeds and confessions to reinforce and restate the historic Christian faith. Now, of course, when this happens, this often produces controversy with those who prefer to go with the flow, as we say, of culture.
ANNOUNCER: But we should not avoid controversy, as if that were a bad thing.
SCHULZ: Yes. What you’re saying is echoing what the Apostle Paul says in his letter to the Corinthians, “There must also be factions among you in order that those who are approved may become evident among you.”
ANNOUNCER: Now what does he mean by that?
SCHULZ: Well, he is saying when there is vigorous discussion and debate in the church over various teachings and doctrines, it isn’t necessarily bad because those who are radical or teaching falsely are often exposed. I frequently think of the proverb from the Old Testament which says, “The first person to plead his case seems correct, or just until the second person comes and examines him, and then of course it is exposed.”
ANNOUNCER: Dr. Schulz, this type of examination would be a good remedy to the non-Biblical theology we see being promoted by certain groups and individuals.
SCHULZ: Absolutely. For example, as we pointed out in today’s message, Jesus never promised anyone prosperity if they followed Him. Of course, this is a very popular theology today, a very heretical theology, but very popular. In fact, Jesus openly tells all who want to follow Him to pick up the cross and suffer with Him.
ANNOUNCER: Looking at it now, we don’t see people being persecuted and suffering for the cross.
SCHULZ: That is what a lot of people are saying today. However, I think we have to be aware of some of these things happening around the world. The secular press frequently notes in China, the Near East, and other parts of the world that Christians are suffering and even dying for their faith. This is a reality. We in the United States and Canada and other western countries are enjoying what might be called a special summer for the Christian faith. This is a time when there is no physical persecution. However, don’t be tricked. History states this persecution is definitely to return and it will be among us.
ANNOUNCER: So what is the bottom line, Dr. Schulz?
SCHULZ: I think the bottom line is simply this: Don’t get swept along by every trend or teaching of our culture. Instead, do as the Apostle Paul says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” This word will create faith in you and will strengthen your faith. The word gives you a joy for this life and promises a blessed assurance of an eternal life. This is the message we have proclaimed on this radio program for many decades and we will continue to do this as long as the Lord permits.
ANNOUNCER: Thank you, Dr. Schulz. With that we have come to the end of our broadcast for another week.