When nonbelievers look and scoff at Christians as foolish, silly and dumb, we know that the joke’s on them. But perhaps their criticism of Christianity as anti-reason is somewhat valid, at least in the way the Christian faith manifests itself in the contemporary church?

Amid the present-day milieu of  decaying modernity (and the subsequent increase of religious pluralism), I believe that there is a rapidly growing need for intelligent Christianity in America, a nation which appears to be earnestly pursuing the status of a “liberated” post-Christian society. It seems now that we are casting off the shackles of foolish superstition, we are free to experience true life—or so we think. The fist of dogmatism finds any fragment of legitimacy it once grasped now slipping right through its tired, arthritic fingers. 

Thus, in order to appeal and witness to this ever-changing culture, it is, in my mind, imperative that Christians are educated and equipped to effectively relate to and participate in even the most sophisticated societal discourse. This doesn’t mean just watching secular movies to “keep up” with what’s going on in the world. It requires significant learning in areas of philosophy, logic, and rhetoric which will enable us to truly engage those around us in an intelligent and level-headed manner, for the sake of the Gospel. I suspect that this is a bit controversial, and I am willing to dialogue, but let me at first list a few short reasons why I hold this opinion.

1. We have a responsibility to preach the Gospel to people, not just into a vacuum. 
I understand that “the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV). I recognize that God can (and in many situations does) use the proclamation of Scripture alone to convict and convert people. However, we cannot misapply the fact that God’s word is powerful to excuse a lack of responsibility on our part. We are instructed to make disciples (Matthew 28:19), and doing so requires some tact. Being able to understand a person’s worldview in order to carefully and shrewdly critique and subvert it allows us to communicate the Gospel more effectively. Furthermore, knowing what we’re talking about adds legitimacy  to our faith claims, especially in a society which no longer privileges Christianity nor takes it for granted.

2. Anti-intellectualism is not helpful to the Body of Christ.
If you know me, you know that I don’t completely buy into our society’s extreme glorification of a college education, and that I very strongly believe that salvation is by grace alone—not knowledge. However, the developing worldwide religious landscape consists of rapidly developing Pentecostalism, which is particularly flourishing in Third-World countries (albeit not absent in the U.S). While I rejoice that people are coming to know the name of Jesus, I am concerned over the potential for a dangerous misunderstanding of the Holy Spirit and a general disdain for rational decision-making. In 1 Corinthians 14:14-23, Paul encourages believers to use their minds in (rather than detach them from) corporate worship. God gave us a rational mind so that we might bring glory to him and edify other believers by using it appropriately.

3. Most people—even in the church—don’t have a Christian worldview.
Perhaps this is more indicative of a theological problem or a flaw in our discipleship methods, but Christians should be able to comprehend how the Gospel of Jesus should determine the way they view the world. Of course, we’re not going to agree on everything, but the foundational understanding that Jesus’ death and resurrection is so significant that it actually defines who we are and how we think about things needs to somehow be built into our discipleship processes. I realize that not everyone has the same I.Q., but most people should be able to learn how to view things through the lens of the Cross, at least on some level. By having a better education—particularly one which emphasises the Gospel as their metanarrative, Christians are better-equipped to think critically about and interact with the world around them, enabling them to recognize, avoid, and work more effectively in tearing down the idols of 21st century society. 

Of course, the problem is that there are very few systems in place (at least that I am aware of) which achieve this type of Christ-centered, intellectual preparation. Based upon my personal experience (and that of many like me), Bible colleges across the nation generally leave graduates ill-equipped to make a difference in (or even think critically about) society. And while some programs at secular universities may offer a more rigorous academic environment, they most certainly fail to promote a Christian worldview, thus leaving the average Christian very few opportunities to receive an education which will significantly aid them in their life of faith and fulfillment of the Great Commission. 

I’m not sure what needs to happen, but it appears to be an issue which must be dealt with by the local church. I know I feel a need to read more and do what I can to sharpen my mind, yet I still long for some type of training or preparation in the church which would help guide me in this. Throughout the centuries, a solid education has proven quite helpful to so many believers—from Paul to Luther and Augustine to Schaeffer. And sure, the present day perhaps has its share of theologians and scholars. But wouldn’t it be haphazard to ignore the need for educated Christians in each and every local congregation?

The word “evangelism” may stir up all kinds of images for us. One person might think of overseas missions. Another might picture handing out tracts explaining the gospel. Still others may think of long, awkward conversations over coffee, or perhaps going through the Scriptures with an unbelieving friend. Surely, we all come from different places and, from our various experiences, have a wide range of ideas regarding evangelism. Yet if there is one thing we all have in common, it is the understanding that evangelism is about saving the lost.

Certainly, this concern for the lost is immensely important and commanded by Scripture. However, our church has lately been reading a book called Total Church by Tim Chester and Steve Timmis (IVP) which has been very provocative and beneficial. While reading the chapter about discipleship, I came across the following comment:

“We continue to ‘evangelize’ one another as Christians because it continues to be the gospel message with which we exhort and encourage one another. The good news that gives life is the good news that transforms, while the community that incarnates gospel truth for the sinner is the community that incarnates gospel truth for the saint” (110).

In other words, we, as Christians, should evangelize ourselves. The Greek root for “evangelize” is ευαγγελιζομαι, which literally means “I preach the gospel.” Therefore, it is not only something done toward nonbelievers, but toward Christians as well. As believers, we should be preaching the gospel to one another. This is the means by which we edify, admonish, and exhort one another to live a cross-centered life, stirring each other to good works. The moment we lose our focus on the gospel in favor of something we deem more “spiritual,” (whether it be a ministry program, social justice, an obsession with spiritual warfare or spiritual gifts, etc.) we have abandoned the faith. The Gospel is as spiritual as it gets; it is not entry-level Christianity, but the very fabric by which the Christian life exists.

By preaching the gospel to one another, we will prompt each other to change and grow; the gospel begins to shape each and every aspect of our everyday lives. The gospel comes to influence where we work, what we spend our time on, and how we handle our money; this happens gradually, nurtured within the context of a gospel-centered community as we evangelize one another. In this, we are sanctified through the gospel, by the work of the Holy Spirit. And even more, evangelizing ourselves leads us to evangelize others; by preaching the gospel to one another, we are driven to preach the gospel to those who have not received it. It is our own experience with grace which motivates us to share that grace with others. Therefore, to truly be effective in evangelizing the lost, we must also be effective in evangelizing each other.

But what does this mean?

It means talking less about theology from a philosophical standpoint and more about theology from a practical standpoint. How is the gospel being reflected (or not reflected) in our lives? If we believe what we say we believe, our lives should be marked by it. So, we must hold one another accountable, admonishing and encouraging one another with the gospel, and preaching it to one another, that we might share in the earth-shattering grace of God.

I’m using this highly alliterative title as a demonstration.

We, as humans, are oft-driven by an attraction to witty catchphrases. You probably noticed a superfluous repetition of the letter “S” in the title of this entry and immediately became relatively curious as to what I’m writing about.

In a way, you could say I’m marketing my blog to you by trying to “sell” it with a catchy title. In fact, we’re all bombarded by a fusillade of similar marketing pitches daily. Whether it be a product, a service, or an idea, someone’s always trying to sell you something. This marketing relies on the consumer-driven mindset of humans, which, in my opinion, is part natural and part cultural.

Human beings are naturally created, in a sense, to be consumer-minded. We’re created with reason and will and must inevitably make choices that will benefit us. This is part of the story of human survival; through a basic consumer’s attitude, we know not to eat poisonous mistletoe berries (which can be fatal), but instead enjoy blueberries and raspberries. This type of discrimination has remained with us to the present day, where it is brought out in very new situations.

Since the beginning, marketing has occurred to appeal to man’s consumer instinct. In the Garden of Eden, Satan craftily used marketing—in the form of temptation—to coax Adam and Eve into “buying in” to sin. Referring to the fruit of the forbidden tree, the serpent said, “in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Likewise, marketing today “tempts” people into buying into things by making lofty claims and promises or by appealing to a person’s insecurity and fear.

However, although marketing has persisted throughout the millennia as means of manipulating consumer-driven people, today’s culture is filled with an unprecedented level of propaganda and marketing. While humans have always been consumers, is is only in the present age that the “ism” morpheme has been attached to the word “consumer,” as our society becomes increasingly materialistic. Today, advertising has reached unbelievable heights as new media allows consumers to be reached and make purchases within the comfort of their own homes. There is an entire industry wholly dedicated to marketing; companies know how to sell things effectively.

But companies aren’t the only ones trying to sell something.

With a charge to be evangelistic, Christians are certainly trying to “sell” the gospel, to some extent. This is not necessarily a bad thing. After all, we bear witness and give testimony in order that others might come to know Christ. If we want people to know Jesus, we’re undoubtedly going to try to get people to “buy in” to the gospel. What makes this dangerous, however, is our method of doing so.

(continue reading…)