EVANGELISTS SWIMMING UPSTREAM

As David Wilkerson said in the article I quoted yesterday, and as Henri Nouwen said in his book, I believe that Christians are called to be counter-cultural. Many churches are begun with a primary goal being relevance. Of course we have to be culturally relevant and speak in the heart language of the people we are reaching. But if I need to adopt "the look" and "the sound" in order to be accepted and admired (my generation called that "cool"), and I call that "relevance," then I think I am missing something very important.

Was Jesus "cool?" Did he dress to impress, adopt the pose and the attitude of the younger generation in order to win their affection and admiration? Or did Jesus speak truth in a radical way, swim against the establishment, love authentically, and make himself winsome in ways other than being culturally cutting edge?

Here is what God said in our morning reading in Deuteronomy 7: "When the LORD your God hands these nations over to you and you conquer them, you must completely destroy them. Make no treaties with them and show them no mercy. Do not intermarry with them, and don't let your daughters and sons marry their sons and daughters. They will lead your young people away from me to worship other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and he will destroy you. Instead, you must break down their pagan altars and shatter their sacred pillars. Cut down their Asherah poles and burn their idols. For you are a holy people, who belong to the LORD your God. Of all the people on earth, the LORD your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure."

Later, he repeats himself. "You must destroy all the nations the LORD your God hands over to you. Show them no mercy and do not worship their gods. If you do, they will trap you."

I think about reaching young people in our neighborhood, and I realize that some approach youth ministry by joining the gangs, and some by intimidating the gangs to move to another street. But I believe that if instead we help gang members to die to themselves and find life in Jesus, then true transformation will take place. It may be slower change on the surface, but will result in long-term revival.

Idols and local gods all promised instant health or fertility and bountiful crops, and it would be a strong temptation to the Israelites to follow those charms and superstitions of the local people. But God promised a better life if they lived counter to the culture. How do we avoid poverty, AIDS, alcoholism and all of the wasting deseases that plague our city?

"If you listen to these regulations and obey them faithfully, the LORD your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he solemnly promised your ancestors. He will love you and bless you and make you into a great nation. He will give you many children and give fertility to your lang and your animals. . . . You will be blessed above all the nations of the earth. None of your men or women will be childless, and all your livestock will bear young. And the LORD will protect you from all sickness."

Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 7 something that we also read this morning: "Because we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that can defile our body or spirit. And let us work toward complete purity because we fear God."

I want to focus outward. But I must not compromise truth in order to make it seem somehow more tasty. LORD, give me wisdom. Change my world!
-ker