I was asked, in good faith, in a conversation why I don't talk more about pop culture, a lot of modern news events, or even politics that often.
Part of the answer, honestly...is I just don't care that much about those topics on the best of days. And right now....my caring level is hovering around "zero."
I've gone over politics before....short recap: I don't want my politics to get in the way of anyone else seeing Christ in my life. Period. Christ is more important, politics are angry and divisive (and I think, often inspired by evil)...so it is kind of a no-brainer for me personally.
Pop culture and most modern news events? I don't care about pop culture by and large, and the news...I read enough to keep abreast of the pertinent issues and avoid the rest...because most of it is either fearful, angry, divisive or depressing...and life is full enough without bringing all that garbage into the house.
"But..." I was told, "We need to respond to pop-culture and the world with a strong Christian response, because they're not acting like Christians!"
Of course they're not acting like Christians....they're not Christians. (Most of them anyway.)
As much as I respect my Buddhist friends, in many ways I don't act at all like a Buddhist...because I'm not one. My basset hound doesn't act like my cat Jack because he's not my cat, he's the hound. We should...if we are being real...act like what we are. Pop culture acts worldly...because it *is* worldly.
The "world" and its "culture" don't act Christian, because Christianity is supposed to be set apart from the world...there is supposed to be a difference, a noticeable one. If your tastes blend perfectly, or even greatly, with the world's idea of culture and society...then chances are, you're not conforming to Christ. It's one or the other. You've gotta pick a side.
I don't act shocked, upset, angry or judgmental about the world's culture and standards because they don't live by the same code I do. They're not bound by the same covenant. They're not on the same road. The sins of the world are for God to judge; I am called to do two things...a) discern if a belief or behavior is right for me as a Christian to partake in, and b) love people and show them the light of God.
We cannot ask a broken world to act with the wholeness of Christ if it does not know Christ.
"Then we need to change the world, help the world...etc, etc, etc..."
Getting angry and nasty at society won't change it. People get angry every day. Being judgmental won't change anything. Throwing stones certainly won't.
You want to make the world a better place?
You want to change society for the better?
Start loving God more. Start loving your neighbor more. Reach out in gentleness, respect and compassion. Love people. Listen to people. Help people. And live as closely to Christ as you can; being in the world but not of the world.....loving the people of the world, but not conforming to their standards.
Be different. But be different in a good way.
-Beth Haynes Butler
Part of the answer, honestly...is I just don't care that much about those topics on the best of days. And right now....my caring level is hovering around "zero."
I've gone over politics before....short recap: I don't want my politics to get in the way of anyone else seeing Christ in my life. Period. Christ is more important, politics are angry and divisive (and I think, often inspired by evil)...so it is kind of a no-brainer for me personally.
Pop culture and most modern news events? I don't care about pop culture by and large, and the news...I read enough to keep abreast of the pertinent issues and avoid the rest...because most of it is either fearful, angry, divisive or depressing...and life is full enough without bringing all that garbage into the house.
"But..." I was told, "We need to respond to pop-culture and the world with a strong Christian response, because they're not acting like Christians!"
Of course they're not acting like Christians....they're not Christians. (Most of them anyway.)
As much as I respect my Buddhist friends, in many ways I don't act at all like a Buddhist...because I'm not one. My basset hound doesn't act like my cat Jack because he's not my cat, he's the hound. We should...if we are being real...act like what we are. Pop culture acts worldly...because it *is* worldly.
The "world" and its "culture" don't act Christian, because Christianity is supposed to be set apart from the world...there is supposed to be a difference, a noticeable one. If your tastes blend perfectly, or even greatly, with the world's idea of culture and society...then chances are, you're not conforming to Christ. It's one or the other. You've gotta pick a side.
I don't act shocked, upset, angry or judgmental about the world's culture and standards because they don't live by the same code I do. They're not bound by the same covenant. They're not on the same road. The sins of the world are for God to judge; I am called to do two things...a) discern if a belief or behavior is right for me as a Christian to partake in, and b) love people and show them the light of God.
We cannot ask a broken world to act with the wholeness of Christ if it does not know Christ.
"Then we need to change the world, help the world...etc, etc, etc..."
Getting angry and nasty at society won't change it. People get angry every day. Being judgmental won't change anything. Throwing stones certainly won't.
You want to make the world a better place?
You want to change society for the better?
Start loving God more. Start loving your neighbor more. Reach out in gentleness, respect and compassion. Love people. Listen to people. Help people. And live as closely to Christ as you can; being in the world but not of the world.....loving the people of the world, but not conforming to their standards.
Be different. But be different in a good way.
-Beth Haynes Butler
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