This is an exact quote from the text." If we simply enter into cultural engagement without spiritual discernment, we are driven here and there by every trend and twist in our culture. However, if we remove ourselves from all cultural engagement, we lose our ability to communicate and speak to the culture lacking the vocabulary of faith."
These two sentences to my mind are so critical at this juncture of our [development] that to ignore or misunderstand them is to surrender to laziness of thought. Some of us have become so heavenly-minded that we are no earthly good, and the contrast, earthly-minded so that we are no heavenly good also holds true. We need some Daniels who will study the Babylonian way but not become corrupted by it. Study it to the point that the King can't ignore you, he has to promote you, but he can't get you to bow to his way. You don't look like them, eat like them, play like them and yet they must take notice of you. Q.C.s don't follow the trend they set the trend. Let us dare to engage the culture and not succumb to it.
Pax Vobiscum <
Robert A. Stewart
Well said, Elder.
ReplyDeleteThe challenge we face is just how to navigate the unbeaten paths of cultural engagement and spiritual discernment. Wisdom is important in everything and sometimes what seems to be the 'right way' might in fact be disastrous because the surroundings were not observed closely enough. This is typical of ambushments and traps set by the enemy.
Even with the foregoing, I perceive that there is a real struggle between the 'iconic' and the 'trailblazer' models, and there needs to be further discourse as there is value in both of these which are of benefit to us in the Church.
Peace
Paul
The article and Elder's analysis are insightful and the comments by Pablo regarding the need for further discussio, I agree. However there is something about some biblical characters that intrigue me. Once God said something about an issue they stuck with no matter the consequences - no markings on the body, not learning the cutoms of other natures (which to my understanding did not mean not knowing them but do not be influenced by them or practice them) or follow after their gods.
ReplyDeleteThe question now is as Christians are we to follow the Jewish customs- feast days etc.? Remember the early christain church had these same questions. Are we fully aware of the current gods and are we prepared to suffer persection for standing up for what we believe when it impacts on our jobs, where we live and social status?
Honour,
Naomi