Six Responses to a Revolutionizing World
It’s no surprise to Christians when we see both brokenness and rebellion in this world.
Even still, it’s always jarring. It’s not the way it’s supposed to be.
As I’ve written in the past, I don’t believe times are getting worse, per se. As the global population increases every day, and technological advances allow us to sin more creatively, the world continues in devastation.
The rebellion of Genesis 3 plays its tragic melody.
Yet, as the postmodern pull of the world becomes more solidified, the ministry approach of the individual Christian can’t stay the same. Humans have no problem finding new and innovative ways to rebel against the Lord as the enemy spins the same lies in shiny new packages.
When I say the “secular age,” we all know what I mean. Abortion. The LGBTQ+ movement. Antisemitism among academic elites. The list goes on.
These are the obvious issues of today, but they may not be the issues we face tomorrow. The world is ever-revolutionizing as the prince of darkness slithers about.
As ambassadors of the Redeemer, what should our approach be?
While there will be a lot of room for nuance for a host of issues we’ll encounter, I estimate there are six possible responses to the world that is ever revolutionizing. Three in an unacceptable tier, two in a well-intentioned tier, and one in a faithful tier.
Tier A: Unacceptable Responses
1. Appease Culture
First, some will seek to appease the broader culture’s audience to feign sympathy and humanistic altruism. Often, this is motivated by a desire for “moral” superiority or social capital. Whether they know it or not, an appeaser is manipulating public perception by following the wind patterns of the world. This person operates much like a politician seeking votes but cares little about actual human flourishing.
2. Condemn Culture
Second, some will take a starkly different approach—theirs is one of harsh condemnation. This Christian is disgusted by the way the world is going—in part because they hold to a strong sense of biblical morality, but often because they’ve infused their ethic with a hefty dose of traditionalism. To them, progressivism is evil, and change agents are corrupt. Therefore, those seeking to set anchors according to an older way of life or “take back” culture are heroes. Similar to the appeasers, their response is not one of helpfulness—it’s one of self-preservation.
3. Avoid Culture
The third unacceptable response to the revolutionizing world is to hide. They stay anonymous. They retreat. They escape. The world’s problems—whatever they may be—are not their problems. Though they may personally hold to an orthodox ethic, these Christians will be agnostic toward broader morality. Their head is planted firmly in the sand so they won’t be bothered or called upon to disrupt their friendships and day-to-day conveniences.
Tier B: Well-Meaning, but Misguided Responses
4. Sympathize with Culture
First, some may be inclined to defend pro-choicers or LGBTQ affirmers, for example, out of a sense of misplaced but genuine sympathy. There are plenty of avenues for activism these days—mainly because society tends to marginalize those in the extremes. Whereas some may shun or even lambast people wrestling with an unwanted pregnancy or gender dysphoria, most Christians will at least pity the sadness of the situation. However, when skirted around the truths of God’s design, compassion for the human person lacks substance and any actual healing power. Humanitarianism alone can never have an eternal effect.
5. Preach Down at Culture
Second, some may attempt to bring correction but can’t see past the log in their own eye. Righteous anger gets the best of them and disrupts or clouds their sense of compassion altogether. Commonly, they preach truth with a holier-than-thou posture and end up hurting their chances of being heard. Like the sympathizer above, they’re minimizing the gospel, but in a different way. Christians in this category cloud the gospel by forgetting their shared brokenness and redemptive need alongside their modernizing neighbors.
Tier C: Faithful Response
6. Lovingly Confront Culture
When faced with a world that is ever-revolutionizing, Christians should faithfully proclaim the gospel—that’s been established. But this means pursuing a loving confrontation—the kind that Jesus brings. Our Savior never shied away from telling people about their dire situation in sin. Yet, he reverberated compassion and heartfelt concern for his audience, all the while calling for radical repentance.
Though we are Christ’s messengers, we aren’t able to extend the good news in the same way. Christians preach the gospel from a place of mutual brokenness alongside the world. The gospel we preach is the same gospel that rescued us from our once ungodly and wretched state. Now that we are a people of hope, we must be a people who offer the redemption we’ve found so sweet.
Does this mean the world will respond with gratitude? Sometimes yes, and sometimes no. But we are a people of sacrificial love—following our King of sacrifice. We are longsuffering because he was longsuffering. Our kindness must outlast their ridicule and disdain because Jesus was similarly patient with us. And as we cling to Jesus, he will enrich our obedience unto the Great Commission.