I think this is an excellent first step. Salt and Light, indeed. Now a question for you: Do we take the culture by storm - through hard fights, battles, and controversy - or through subtle actions, slowly turning it back to God?
David Ketter | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 12:48 pm | #

Excellent question, David. I could answer you, but I'd be developing my response as I went along. Honestly, Brett and I don't have everything completely figured out yet. =P

Because of that, we would encourage all of our readers to not let The Rebelution become another place where they passively intake, but to contribute and wrestle with these issues with us. We'll be posting our conclusions once they are developed and articulated. Meanwhile, what do you all think? How would you respond to David's question? David, what do you think?
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 09.05.05 - 1:05 pm | #

I see it as a battle, but also as a long, hard slog. ('Do not become weary in doing good.') Personally, I think disicpline will be a huge part of it. Can we be disciplined enough to stay focused on a distant goal that may not even be achieved in our lifetime? My parents started homsechooling over a decade ago with the goal of being world-changers. They have had to come to terms with the fact that they probably won't see a total reformation of American culture in their lifetimes. They have played a part in what God is doing, but it has not been a very glamorous part. Their battle has been one of being disciplined and keeping the faith.

I believe the time is right for a reformation, and I want to take part in it more than I want just about anything else. But I have to have enough faith to remain disicplined and steady no matter what God has for me.

In another vein, we have to be able to stand up against the evil we perceive in our culture without faltering and to offer an alternative to that evil. If God chooses to effect great change through us, we must be ready to build another culture as well as to tear down the present evil. We will have to have what has been called 'emotional capital' to shape the culture that comes after.
Karen Kovaka | 09.05.05 - 2:18 pm | #

As long as we talk in such general terms as has been done in this post, it is a matter of goals. As to methods, whether furious or subtle: well, it probably depends on the situation. Both boldness and perseverance are required.

In counter-response to the bold/subtle antithesis, I would ask what it means to "be as wise as serpents, and as gentle as doves." This might lead to something valuable. Because otherwise, the "be bold" command might end up viciousness, and "be subtle" could lead to compromise.

I think the chapter in "Orthodoxy" by G.K. Chesterton entitled "The paradoxes of Christianity" help explain this. http://ccel.org/ccel/chesterton/ ...thodoxy.ix.html
Nathan Straub | 09.05.05 - 7:30 pm | #

I would have to say that we must fight passionately ("Zeal for your house will consume me...") but use wisdom ("Get wisdom, get understanding. Do not...turn from them."). Jesus displayed this in His ministry (in a perfect way that we can't even hope to match). On one hand, He stuck up for the truth diplomatically (in the case of the adultress) and in others...well, diplomacy just wasn't part of the plan (e.g., His condemnation of the Pharisees and teachers of the law in Jerusalem).

That being said, I think that the function of persons may vary. Some in the Body may be called to be warriors and to attack the evil instituted among men (e.g., John the Baptist). It will assuredly be otherwise for many.

For now, however, I think that boldness is what is called for. Too many people have lost the zeal for God's House that once marked the Church.
David Ketter | Homepage | 09.06.05 - 1:54 pm | #

Excellent insight, Karen. Discipline is absolutely essential. It's like attending a conference or spiritual retreat. The spiritual and emotional high you get from that, what my Dad calls a "mountaintop experience," is great... But it's taking that resolve and enthusiasm and translating it into the grind of daily life that marks true change.

I loved the Chesterton, Nathan. He is one of my all-time favorite writers and thinkers. Thanks for the link. I think the command of being wise as serpents and gentle as doves is very key to this entire issue.

David, I agree with much of your analysis. However, you bring up a very interesting point, regarding Jesus's diplomacy. What is your understanding of the story of Jesus and the adulteress? How was diplomacy present there?
Alex Jordan Harris | Homepage | 09.06.05 - 3:13 pm | #

“And though the culture might prevail against one who is isolated, two will withstand it—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” -- is this a quote from somewhere... the last part sounds like Ecclesiastes 4:12
John M Kirton II | 10.01.05 - 2:36 am | #

Yes, if we are truly shining we don't have to call attention to ourselves.
Margaret Nahmias | Homepage | 02.18.06 - 1:16 pm | #

Amen! Amen! Amen!
Jezzy | Homepage | 03.07.06 - 6:24 pm | #

I would have thought we were to evangelize in a way like this:

I can imagine being bold and loud to people who would only respnd to loud voices and bold character. And I could see Christians be gentle and quiet to those of the same character.
Christopher Felmey | Homepage | 08.14.06 - 6:00 pm | #