For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 1 Cor. 2:2 (NASB)
American culture is changing at an unprecedented rate. Much of that change means we are leaving Christendom, American civil religion, and cultural Christianity behind (good riddance for the most part) and are becoming more post- and anti-Christian every day. One consequence of that change is that the church, or at least that segment of the church which holds to evangelical distinctives, is finding itself more and more marginalized. As painful and distressing as this may seem, it could actually be a blessing in disguise. Marginalization will force us to test our faith, renew our commitment, and learn to live Christ-centered lives from the margins. This implies:
1) Holding to the belief that the Bible is the ultimate authority for all cultures, for all peoples, and for all time. We may struggle to understand it properly and apply it faithfully, but that conviction must be our starting point.
2) Learning to read and apply the Bible from a post-partisan (Democrat-Republican) and post-political label (Liberal-Conservative) context. Not that political parties and liberal-conservative issues are not important. The question is, rather, what does the Bible say and how should we apply it regardless of political agenda, party, or ideology? The Bible is certainly political in the broadest sense, but it is not partisan and must judge all parties and ideologies.
3) Learning to be a global Christian. This means listening to and learning both from history and from our already marginalized and persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.
4) Learning what it means to be the church at and from the margins. This means discovering what Biblical Christianity can look like in our post-Christendom and anti-Christian context.
5) Holding to the truth that the person and work of Jesus Christ -- his life, his death, his resurrection -- is the absolute answer. That is, the cross of Christ, which implies his perfect life and glorious resurrection, is the metanarrative that answers all narratives. The cross addresses every human situation and offers hope for every aspect of the human condition.
A Christ focused life, nothing but Christ and Him crucified. This is the crux of the matter. How, then, to live focused on, changed by, and driven by the cross? This website reflects my attempt to answer that question through several avenues: One, through blog posts and discussions about theology, culture, missions, and life in general. Two, through speaking, preaching, and teaching opportunities. Three, through consulting services that aim to assist others in asking the right questions and discovering answers to being the church in a post-Christian society.
American culture is changing at an unprecedented rate. Much of that change means we are leaving Christendom, American civil religion, and cultural Christianity behind (good riddance for the most part) and are becoming more post- and anti-Christian every day. One consequence of that change is that the church, or at least that segment of the church which holds to evangelical distinctives, is finding itself more and more marginalized. As painful and distressing as this may seem, it could actually be a blessing in disguise. Marginalization will force us to test our faith, renew our commitment, and learn to live Christ-centered lives from the margins. This implies:
1) Holding to the belief that the Bible is the ultimate authority for all cultures, for all peoples, and for all time. We may struggle to understand it properly and apply it faithfully, but that conviction must be our starting point.
2) Learning to read and apply the Bible from a post-partisan (Democrat-Republican) and post-political label (Liberal-Conservative) context. Not that political parties and liberal-conservative issues are not important. The question is, rather, what does the Bible say and how should we apply it regardless of political agenda, party, or ideology? The Bible is certainly political in the broadest sense, but it is not partisan and must judge all parties and ideologies.
3) Learning to be a global Christian. This means listening to and learning both from history and from our already marginalized and persecuted brothers and sisters around the world.
4) Learning what it means to be the church at and from the margins. This means discovering what Biblical Christianity can look like in our post-Christendom and anti-Christian context.
5) Holding to the truth that the person and work of Jesus Christ -- his life, his death, his resurrection -- is the absolute answer. That is, the cross of Christ, which implies his perfect life and glorious resurrection, is the metanarrative that answers all narratives. The cross addresses every human situation and offers hope for every aspect of the human condition.
A Christ focused life, nothing but Christ and Him crucified. This is the crux of the matter. How, then, to live focused on, changed by, and driven by the cross? This website reflects my attempt to answer that question through several avenues: One, through blog posts and discussions about theology, culture, missions, and life in general. Two, through speaking, preaching, and teaching opportunities. Three, through consulting services that aim to assist others in asking the right questions and discovering answers to being the church in a post-Christian society.
