The Divided States of America // A Working Framework for Engaging Culture
Jeremiah 29:4; Philippians 3:20-21; 2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 1:1-2; Genesis 1:28; Genesis 11:3-4; Romans 13:1-6
Digging Deeper
The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines culture as:
The customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group.
The characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time.
The values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic.
The integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations.
Believers throughout the ages have lived in the middle of cultures that do not conform to Biblical principles and ideals. For example, Daniel was exiled to Babylon and served several rulers who demanded obedience. Daniel relied on God and applied wisdom and faith to navigate his situation without compromising his loyalty and obedience to his God.
These days, with political issues taking the forefront, let us learn to be wise like Daniel as we faithfully serve God and seek to missionally share the Gospel with our culture, which desperately needs to know King Jesus.
WHAT NOT TO MISS
Seven Spheres of Society
Family
Celebration
Media
Education
Religion
Economics
Government
This series will address the spheres of religion and government.
We live in a divided democracy.
We live in a Church that is divided. How did we get here?
Seeds of pluralism are now producing fruit.
Fragmentation and erosion of Christian religion.
Burger King sociology.
Skepticism in general and skepticism of institutions in particular.
A new chapter with no overarching story.
Where does this leave us?
Marginalized Church.
Culture wars.
Cancel culture.
Resentment.
The Church no longer has home-field advantage!
Four Models of Cultural Engagement in Center Church, by Tim Keller
Two-Kingdoms.
Transformationist.
Relevance.
Countercultural.
Four Cultural Engagement Models in To Change the World by James Davison Hunter
Defense against.
Purity from.
Relevance to.
Faithful Presence.
Elements of a Robust Missiology
Missio Dei.
Kingdom of God.
Exilic theology/mentality.
Suffering.
Rough Eschatology
The world won’t get better.
Jesus comes back a second time.
Jesus ushers in a new creation.
In the meantime, live here as if we were living there.
Rudimentary Understanding of Government
Five General Responsibilities of Governments from the City of Man by Michael Gerson and Peter Wehner
Build an ordered society.
Work for justice.
Outline virtues.
Create opportunities for prosperity.
Provide protection.
Five Don’t’s for Christ Followers
Don’t become political pawns.
Don’t be politically naive.
Don’t weaponize the Bible for political gain.
Don’t be silent over your political party’s failures and imperfections.
Don’t get sucked into playing the political game of resentment.
Five Do’s for Christ Followers
Do honor the emperor, or in our case, democracy.
Do work for the common good.
Do let your faith inform and influence your public life.
Do honor Jesus as the King of kings and the Lord of lords.
Do live in anticipation of Jesus’ return and New Creation.
When the church is faithfully present to King Jesus, worshipping God in all spheres of life, we become most missionally effective in the world.
This is what I call faithful presence.
LIFE APPLICATION
List ways to be a godly, positive societal influence in the following spheres where you interact.
Family
Celebration
Media
Education
Religion
Economics
Government
Look for opportunities to be a light to a world in darkness, showing love and compassion for people who do not yet know Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What one thing would you change in our society and culture?
What are examples of how we live in a divided democracy?
What is the result of the church being fragmented and eroded?
What role does individualism play in the situation that the Church faces today?
What is your role in building a positive culture that reflects Biblical missional values?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL BIBLE PASSAGES
Day 1: Kingdom of God-Matthew 6:33; Luke 17:20-21; Romans 14:17
Day 2: Kingdom of Man-John 16:33; Colossians 1:13; Matthew 12:25-26
Day 3: Exile-Jeremiah 29:4-7; 1 Peter 2: 11-12; Philippians 3:20
Day 4: Suffering-1 Peter 5:10; 2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 1:24
Day 5: Mission-1 Chronicles 16:24; Romans 10:13-15; Jeremiah 1:7-8; Isaiah 6:8
PRAYER
Lord, I am thankful that You are the ruler of the universe and in control of all things. As a believer, let me understand and follow the standards that you teach in the Bible, which is Your inspired Word. Give me insight into how to apply what I know to everyday living in society and the culture in which I live. Let my goal be to be missional and share the Gospel in ways that are winsome and relevant to situations I face. May others see Jesus in me and realize they need a Savior.
