Goodbye, World!

When I was growing up, culture was something only a few intellectuals cared about. When somebody used the word, he was generally speaking of the opera or classical music. Being interested in cultural events required a certain degree of study or cultivation.

Today, the definition of culture has exploded to include motion pictures, rock music, reality TV shows, professional sports, styles of clothing and hair, and the internet! What's more, "culture" includes the most popular ideas of all those Hollywood and NYC celebrities- hooking up, getting down, shopping endlessly, catching flicks. And there are so many portals- televisions, radios, Ipods, theaters, magazines, billboards, shopping malls, etc., etc.-that our popular culture is an inescapable force in the lives of most Americans. You don't have to go to the theater and buy a ticket to be aware of the offensive ideas in a popular motion picture. Everybody discusses the controversy whether they've seen the movie or not. The ideas of the culture get into the atmosphere!

Sometimes we Christians don't how to respond to the cultural tide that is is sweeping over us. We don't like the anti-Christian rants. We are troubled by the sexual license. But frankly, we like a lot of the movies, music, television shows, fashions and electronics. We assume the culture is basically neutral and we must be discerning, so we wade through the sexual antics and drug jokes to enjoy a couple of hours of entertainment.

But change one word, and things become more clear. Just take that colorful word "culture" and replace it with a proper noun: "The World." That's what saints in the First Century (and the eighteen centuries after that) called the culture. In the New Testament, "world" sometimes means the Planet Earth, but on many other occasions it means the system of ideas that seduces men and women, opposes godliness, and destroys life. We say culture, they said "World."

And there is no doubt how saints are to address the World. John warned us all, "Do not love the World or anything in the World. If anyone loves the World, the love of the Father is not in him." (I John 2:15) Paul was just as direct: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this World, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (Romans 12:2)

When you understand what the World is, you get a lot more insight into what it means to be "holy." Holy people have been called to a higher path, and no longer follow the ways of the World. They are set apart. As Paul advised the Colossians, they have set their affections of things above."

As God calls you and me to reform the corrupt and fallen church here in the United States, one of the first steps will be reclaiming some clear biblical definitions.

• We do not adapt to the culture. We resist the ideas of the World.
• People oppressed by sin do not need therapeutic language. They need the Word of God.
• When I finally discover my true self, I will have spent years chasing after my Sin Nature. I do not need to express myself. I need to crucify my sin nature.

That probably sounds extremely old school. Think of it as being "fashionably retro." Better yet, think of it as being biblical, New Testamental, and transformative. Before you and I can rescue our neighbors from the power of the World, we have to overcome it ourselves.

More next week. In the meantime, be biblical.