Engaging the Culture:Why is it crucial

for Christian Education?Dr. William E. Brown

A. See through the eyes of Christ

Naturalism Transcen-

dentalism

Theism

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.

2 Corinthians 5:16

  19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

  19Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

  22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

  22To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

B. Know the world you serve

“Will and Grace, WWE Smackdown, Eminem, and Madonna have more to do with the direction of our culture than all of Congress.”

Bill WichtermanPolicy advisor to Former Senate Majority leader Bill Frist

The Power of Pop Culture

The Power of Pop Culture

“More theology is conveyed in, and probably retained from one hour of popular television, than from all the sermons that are delivered on any given weekend in America’s synagogues, churches and mosques.”

Phyllis TicklePublisher’s Weekly“God-Talk in America”

Three Approaches

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Offended by Culture

Brian “Head” WelchReginald “Fieldy” Arvizu

Three ApproachesDelighted by Culture

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Offended by Culture

ASSIMILATEASSIMILATE

“Church”“Church”Man, have you ever really wonderedLike why are we here? What the meanin’ to all of this?

Man, have you ever really wonderedLike why are we here? What the meanin’ to all of this?

“The Way You Move”

Three ApproachesDelighted by Culture

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Offended by Culture

Distressed by Culture

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II. Engaging the Culturewith the

Heart and Mind of ChristDr. William E. Brown

Three ApproachesDelighted by Culture

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Offended by Culture

Distressed by Culture

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“The wide world is all about you: you can fence yourselves in, but you cannot ever fence it out.”

Gildor Inglorion in J. R. R. Tolkien’sFellowship of the Ring

A.Distressed by Culture

. . . Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

2 Peter 2:7-8

Engaging the Culture

. . . Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

2 Peter 2:7-8

Engaging the Culture

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens,he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in thesynagogues, . . .as well as in the market-place day by day. . . . “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship. . .”

Acts 17:16-34

Engaging the Culture

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens,he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in thesynagogues, . . .as well as in the market-place day by day. . . . “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship. . .”

Acts 17:16-34

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens,he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he reasoned in thesynagogues, . . .as well as in the market-place day by day. . . . “Men of Athens, I see that in every way you are very religious.For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship. . .”

Acts 17:16-34

Engaging the Culture

“Greatly Distressed”

Sought to understand the culture (v. 23) Started where they were (vv. 22-23)

Positive about the truth he found (v. 22)

Knew and quoted their sources (vv. 23,28)

Communicated the Gospel (vv.18,30-31)

Sought to understand the culture (v. 23) Started where they were (vv. 22-23)

Positive about the truth he found (v. 22)

Knew and quoted their sources (vv. 23,28)

Communicated the Gospel (vv.18,30-31)

B.Prepare to give an answer

C.“Engage the Culture:”

what does it mean?

Engage the culture?What does that mean?

1. Starting Point: God and His Word2. Think Deep: Get at the worldview,

values and behaviors behind culture

3. Be Cautious: Culture is deceptive and enticing (celebrity, sexual, emotional)

Engaging the Culturewith the

Heart and Mind of ChristDr. William E. Brown