Is Your
Church a Subculture
or a Counterculture?
Millions of Americans are
suddenly awakening to the realization that the great “American experiment” is
failing. The life blood of Americanism initially surged forward through powerful
spiritual forces from Judeo–Christian beliefs. This is all now crumbling under a
new force called Secularism.
The Church did preach
that freedom represents a life lived in conformity to God’s will as revealed in
His Word. Secularism teaches that freedom is self-legitimization.[1]
The latter has now influenced church leadership. Modern churches have begun to
adopt a social gospel that eulogizes self-esteem and self-love. Concern for
feelings is so deep that repentance and truth are withheld for fear of “hurting”
the seeker.
Instead of acting like strangers and pilgrims (Hebrews
From a Biblical world
view the window of hope lies in the future. However, the here and now
has become the most relevant to a growing number of worshipers and pastors. That
appeal always emphasizes the physical realm and minimizes the spiritual.
Happiness and freedom is oriented to the present and not the eternal.[2]
Secularism says, “Eat,
drink and be merry, for tomorrow you die,” contrasted with what God says, “Lay
up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” His Word stands for something far more
than the here and now.
Far deeper than a sensory experience, which only validates narcissism and
hedonism, God has invited us to prepare for the future. He has admonished us to
“Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man”
(Ecclesiastes
The Bible tells us that faith comes from hearing God’s Word (Romans
A world groping in darkness is benefitted through disciplined lives seen in that
“chosen generation, a royal nation, a peculiar people.” I Peter 2:9. Jesus wants
His people to be the “salt” and “light” of the world (Matthew
Modern
A growing number of
members haven’t even an elementary knowledge of what Christian commitment means.
It is not a matter of rejecting doctrinal teaching. They have not even been
instructed as to what it means to follow Jesus all the way. In the great Gospel
commission Jesus said, “teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I
have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). To be a member of a church should represent
a commitment to a way of life that is unique and in harmony with Biblical
mandates.[4]
When people join a church
for social, charismatic or experiential reasons, a cultural identity with
secularism remains. If they are given leadership positions, truth is further
compromised. Enlightenment is then related to man’s ideals of worth and not what
the Spirit longs to do in man. Appeals to religious authority are disputed.
Individual preference rises above God’s directives. This dilutes the church
mission. It becomes a social enterprise and not a spiritual force.
The preservation of
“truth is absolutely vital for the Christian faith. The destruction of that idea
is key to legitimize a secularist culture, since the idea of truth touches on
secularism’s greatest vulnerability.”[5]
True Christianity is
obligated to the past and appeals to the future. It never minimizes Biblical
injunctions and promotes its messages as fully relevant to its members today. It
recognizes that communion with God makes us free (John 8:36, II Corinthians
3:17).
The worst way to
respond to the challenge of secularism is to adopt secular standards in the
worship experience with its music, language, dress and way of life! This
relegates Christianity to a subculture of the world. If members of society at
large meaningfully turn to religion, it must be on the basis of something other
than through cultural ideals. “It is counter-productive to offer them religion
in a secular mode that is carefully trimmed in order not to offend their secular
sensibilities.”[6]
Divine truth must stand
up against critical inquiry by every member and those seeking for deeper meaning
in life. Any attempt to prevent that is unbelief and a betrayal of spiritual
appeal. What will provoke churches to cherish the wonders of Jesus and His
Gospel? The loss of the comforts of affluence and/or trials that have no human
solution. Seeking for answers in a Scripturally based countercultural movement
inspires hope and deepens trust.
God has a design on His
Church. Soon He will rise up and begin a strange work that will demand absolute
loyalties for or against Him. The Bible makes it clear that at the end His
people will be holy and His church pure. The body of Christ is to be a
counterculture.
“Fearful tests and trials await the people of God. The spirit of war is stirring
the nations from one end of the earth to the other.”[7]
“It is difficult to hold fast the beginning of our confidence firm unto the end; and the difficulty increases when there are hidden influences constantly at work to bring in another spirit, a counterworking element, on Satan's side of the question. In the absence of persecution, there have drifted into our ranks some who appear sound, and their Christianity unquestionable, but who, if persecution should arise, would go out from us. In the crisis, they would see force in specious reasoning that has had an influence on their minds. Satan has prepared various snares to meet varied minds. When the law of God is made void the church will be sifted by fiery trials, and a larger proportion than we now anticipate, will give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. Instead of being strengthened when brought into strait places, many prove that they are not living branches of the True Vine....[8]
“Oh, that the people might know the time of their visitation! There are many who have not yet heard the testing truth for this time. There are many with whom the Spirit of God is striving. The time of God’s destructive judgments is the time of mercy for those who have had no opportunity to learn what is truth. Tenderly will the Lord look upon them. His heart of mercy is touched; His hand is still stretched out to save, while the door is closed to those who would not enter.”[9]
“In the calamities that are now befalling immense buildings and large portions of cities, God is showing us what will come upon the whole earth. He has told us, ‘Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it [the coming of the Son of man] is near, even at the doors.’ Matthew 24: 32, 33.”[10]
A church that is “part
of” feels no need to warn or prepare. One that is “counter to” senses a mission
and is ready for any eventuality.
References:
1. Will, George, F.; Sunday,
2.
Lamont, Corliss; The Philosophy of Humanism, p. 203.
3. Turner, Allan;
Christianity: Counterculture or Subculture? allanturner.com/secular.html
4.
O’Fill, Dick; e-mail
ministry, message of
5.
www.firstthings.com/ftissues/ft9606/articles/pannenberg.html
6. Ibid.
7.
White, Ellen G.; Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 17. (1909)
8.
White, Ellen G.; Maranatha, p. 28
. 9. White, Ellen G.; Testimonies, vol.
9, p. 97
10.
White, Ellen G.; Counsels on Health, p. 268
Franklin S. Fowler Jr., M.D.; EndTime Issues... of Prophecy Research
Initiative
EndTime Issues..., September 2005 -
endtimeIssues.com