The Gospel According to Culture

Our nation is experiencing a clash of worldview. You may not have thought of it in those terms, but you've probably felt it. As a result, we don't just disagree on the issues, but on the fundamental worldview shaping the issues.

Cultural Christianity shaped our worldview for centuries. This perspective taught us to behave according to God's commands, or at least to look like it. Many are still influenced by this worldview, which urges us to return to a particular way of living. Increasingly, these calls fall on deaf ears, and for a good reason.

Secular Humanism now shapes our nation. This belief system encourages us to be true to ourselves and good to others. This mode of thinking has become our culture's default and probably affects you more than you realize.

Cultural Christianity and Humanism appear to be opposites, but they share a common thread: our ability to do good.

The message of Jesus, however, is different. He teaches that we can't keep God's standards by our own efforts. We're inherently flawed, which means that being true to ourselves often leads to hurting others. The Gospel is a proclamation of grace, one that transforms us from the inside out and frees us to love others sacrificially.