Maybe you have heard people talking about a culture shift, maybe the letter you received from me about my trip is the first time you have ever heard anyone using language like that.
Either way, I was struck by some of the words of our new president in his inaugural speech, because of how similar they are to the discussions that are happening in many different disciplines of study concerning our shifting culture.
And I think this President has captured the hearts of many young people because he is speaking a language that makes sense to them. Here is how he part of the task that is before his administration.
"What the cynics fail to understand is that the ground has shifted beneath them — that the stale political arguments that have consumed us for so long no longer apply. The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works — whether it helps families find jobs at a decent wage, care they can afford, a retirement that is dignified. Where the answer is yes, we intend to move forward. Where the answer is no, programs will end. Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government."
Do you hear it... A shift has occurred, and the arguments that have stalemated our government (i.e. big vs. small government, democrat vs. republican) are no longer the pressing issues, and that by continuing to dwell on these issues the government has lost the trust of her people.
In essence, he is asking for people to put aside some of the most important things in their entire political career... why? For the sake of the American people. But isn't that what the arguments were about... taking care of her people? Sure, they were. But because the arguments are so divisive, moving forward has stalled because both sides want so badly to prove they are right. In the meantime, trust has been slowly eroding because public opinion is that the government is not acting in the best interests of her people.
Right about now, some people reading this are fuming because they are firmly entrenched in the arguments of policy and have strong feelings and long term investments in these arguments.
While on the other side, many people see this President as a figure of hope, because of his pronounced detachment from the argument, so that the interests of the people can be addressed.
My intention in this post is not politics, nor is it meant as an endorsement or in opposition of our new president. What I am hoping to do is simply articulate what I hear in this portion of the presidents speech. A clear articulation of a shifting culture... and his solution to move forward: Unity is more important than winning the argument!
In Christian circles there are plenty of people crying out for a similar solution to the divisiveness that plagues "the Church." The argument follows the same pattern as the one above.
Different Church Parties (denominations,etc), have become so focused on being right in regards to divisive issues, that the church is no longer acting in the best interests of the Gospel.
For example, an issue like "Can a believer lose his/her salvation?" Answers that divide us vary from: Yes to No to Maybe, and all the answers have fairly good arguments from scripture for why they are right. And this argument, in particular, has created numerous divisions in the church.
Sadly, it seems that these division have hindered the progress of the Gospel. While churches have been concerned about getting the answer right, the world is looking back at the church and calling her irrelevant as this issue is not relevant to the needs of our culture. And what is the need of our culture... The gospel. So, inside the church, you are beginning to hear a similar plea for Unity as you hear President Obama's speech.
As a part of this Pilgrimage to Italy we are hoping to learn how to embrace unity centered in the common vision to advance the Gospel in our rapidly shifting culture.
Your Thoughts?
LEAD Cohort 9, Biblical Theological Seminary
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this was a really thought-compelling post. taking the president's comments and applying them in this context was especially interesting, considering that a good number of evangelicals probably have a tough time being comfortable with the source (including me too initially, if I'm honest). which in a sense proves your point. it reminded me of the fall of Jericho (Joshua 5:13ff) when Joshua sees a man standing in front of him with his sword drawn. Joshua asks, "are you for us or for our enemies?" The man replies, "neither, but as the commander of the army of the Lord I have now come." what a great moment where God responds to the question of "who's right?" or "whose side are you on?" with a very simple assertion that He's not on yours or mine, He's God and we can either join Him in His mission or not. so I'm led then to consider the next thought about the culture shift. i wonder which is more accurate: 1)that the argument has changed or 2)that the argument was never right to begin with? if it changed, then why did it change? what's different about God's plan? but if these arguments were never appropriate in the first place, then what do we say of all those who've come before us and argued those points, separated into denominations, etc? were they just not as sophisticated as we are now? or maybe I'm over-simplifying the whole issue so that I can wrap my mind around it. I just wonder if there's any place today for that sort of thing or if it's just a waste of time? anyway, thanks for making me think!
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