Corrective Cultural Lens

Posted on February 11, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

I had the opportunity to listen to a podcast of an interview with Mark Eckel while driving to my first appointment this morning. You can find this podcast and other information about Mark Eckel by clicking on this link.

Of the many good things that Mark said, I was struck by one in particular. He mentioned in passing that Scripture is a lens by which we can view the world. I like that word picture.

As a result of the entry of sin into the world, we are out of harmony with God, our world, our fellow humans and ourselves. This brings about a skewed view of the world. We do not have the correct perspective to see things correctly. We need a corrective lens to see clearly. We have such a lens in Scripture.

It is as I interact with Scripture that I begin to see things clearly. Through the Bible, God reveals himself to me and as that relationship deepens, he uses Scripture to teach me about myself and my world. By increasing my understanding of Scripture, I am increasing true knowledge of myself and the world around me.

Without my eyeglasses, I cannot read what is on the computer screen as I write. Without Scripture, I cannot understand myself or my culture. I thank God and acknowledge my dependence upon both.

Cue Johnny Nash singing “I can see clearly now . . . .”

When art becomes idolatry

Posted on February 7, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre 7 Comments

A visit to just about any of the churches in Rome will allow the visitor to see brilliant works of art. Much time and money has been invested in statuary, paintings, mosaics, and marble decor among other artistic delights. There are representations of Biblical scenes and people; there are also statues of former church leaders and saints.

It seems to me that one aspect of being made in the image of God is that man was created to create. When we create, we are following in the footsteps of our creator. There is something good about creation, whether it is God’s creation ex nihilo, or if it is a work of art, literature or music produced by man.

Creativity is a form of worship. We ascribe worth by imitating the one we worship. I believe that this is true even when the artist does not acknowledge his dependence on his Creator God. By giving vent to his artistic skills, the artist is displaying that which was given him by his Creator.

Christians, who have been gifted in the arts, have the opportunity (obligation?) to use their artistic talents as an expression of worship. The Church should be providing a forum for those gifts to be used for worship. I think that the Roman church has gotten this part right.

From my recent visit to Rome, however, I need to offer a caution. While visiting the churches, I witnessed people venerating statues and paintings. I saw one man kissing the hands of a statue of a saint. Candles could be purchased and burned in front of many of these pieces of art, which I suppose to be some form of veneration. Much of what I observed seems misguided at best and idolatrous at worst.

How is a balance to be maintained? How can we appreciate the art and the artist without moving toward idolatry? Perhaps the answer lies in an understanding that all of the art, no matter how permanent it appears now, will one day all be consumed (see 2 Peter 3:10-11). While good art should be valued as such, it does not have ultimate value, it will not be carried into eternity.

Perhaps this gives us a clue as to the means of valuing art. Should we ascribe value to art by whether it encourages us to holiness and right living? After all, it is human beings alone that pass from this temporal existence into eternity.

What are your thoughts? How do we value art and avoid the danger of idolatry? Is there a difference between religious art and “secular” art?

Responding to doctrinal weeds (some thoughts on discernment)

Posted on February 6, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

I recently was asked about how to respond to a spouse who is enthralled by some false teachers. The points I gave for consideration are these:

The Bereans were praised (Acts 17:11) for checking to see if what Paul was teaching is true to Scripture, so it is clearly not wrong to determine if a preacher (or a blogger) is speaking in accordance with Scripture.
We are called to exercise discernment. All through Paul’s epistles, he deals with issues within the Church and gives his readers the foundation they need to make good decisions. In some cases, Paul calls people out by name so it is clearly not wrong to exercise discernment with regard to people and doctrine.
We are called to be wise as serpents and innocent as doves (Matt. 10:16). We should not be tricked by deceivers but we need to be innocent in the way we respond to them and speak about them.
In Ephesians 4:15, Paul commands us to speak the truth in love. Love must be the guiding principle as to how we respond to the false teaching. See also 1 Corinthians 13 for a check list to see how you’re doing with regard to a loving response toward the preachers and your spouse.
James 1:20 reminds us that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Be honest with yourself as to whether your spouse is sensing and responding to anger which prevents your spouse from hearing your legitimate concerns.
It is not wrong to be concerned about what these preachers are teaching. It is also not wrong for you to share your thoughts with your spouse. You will need wisdom (James 1:5) and love to share your thoughts in an appropriate way.
While these preachers distort Scripture for their own ends (and will be judged accordingly), they are using Scripture. The Holy Spirit can use the Scripture to show your spouse the error in what they teach.
Above all else, I encourage you to pray for your spouse so that the Holy Spirit will reveal the error. Remember that “a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” No amount of argument can subdue the will. Only God can do that.

Anything else that should be considered? Please comment back to add to the list, I would like your input.

Conflict is inevitable

Posted on February 4, 2011 Written by Mark McIntyre 1 Comment

A few days ago, I read 1 Thessalonians 3:4 where Paul writes, “For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.”

Why would Paul anticipate suffering? I believe the answer lies in his understanding that Christianity is a radical departure in world view from the pagan culture of the Roman Empire of his day. To follow Christ, who claimed to be the only way to God, requires a commitment to believing and proclaiming the exclusive claims of Jesus.

Growing up in a pluralistic society (that owes it’s philosophy of tolerance to a Judeo/Christian heritage), I struggle to connect with the level of animosity and conflict that a challenge to world view can bring. Yet, when I watch the news reports of the chaos that radical Islam is spreading around the globe, I see that a difference in world view will often result in violence, oppression and suffering.

I am reminded of Jesus’ command to embrace the Cross as the means of following Christ. Inherent in the Cross is an understanding of conflict and death. To embrace the Cross, implies that we are willing to experience physical death as a consequence of belief. The culture around us, be it neo-pagan, Islamic, pantheistic or materialist, will not tolerate being told that Jesus is the only way. Jesus is truly counter cultural.

Much of the “church” in America has lost the sense of being counter cultural. We capitulate to the surrounding culture on a wide variety of issues in order to be at peace. But the peace that this brings is the peace of the ostrich who does not know that the hunter is about to strike him down. This is the peace of those who capitulated to Hitler in the 1930’s. It is a false peace.

I am not suggesting that we go looking for trouble. Paul encourages us to live in peace with everyone if possible (Rom. 12:18). I am suggesting that if we are doing the work of making disciples, if we are accurately teaching Scripture, if we are proclaiming Christ, there is a high probability that trouble will find us. We should enjoy the freedom that we currently have and use it to make disciples before that freedom is taken away.

We can be disappointed when freedom is abolished, but we should not be surprised. We have been warned.

P. S. This post is first and foremost a reminder to myself. My affinity for comfort and people pleasing makes me predisposed to compromise.

Corrective Cultural Lens

When art becomes idolatry

Responding to doctrinal weeds (some thoughts on discernment)

Conflict is inevitable

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