Pastor Sean Ward
Culture can be defined as a way of life shared by a group of individuals. It consists of values, norms, folklore, law, and ideology.
While these symbols are, in many cases, the things that give meaning and a rich heritage to our society, there are trends both in history and the present reality that we should take note of.
Rome once was one of the mightiest empires in the world. In its day, it was considered to be the world superpower. Yet the culture became one that lavished in the whirlpool of easy living and moral corruption.
The principle and discipline that built the empire became a historical afterthought. Rome crumbled from within.
Former U.S. president Theodore Roosevelt once was quoted as saying there are five things that will destroy America:
•prosperity at any price;
•peace at any price;
•safety before duty;
•love of soft living; and
•get-rich quick theory
Greatness is built on goodness. When the symbols within the culture cease to be good, they cease to contribute to greatness.
Of course, the general discussion in modern think-tanks today is how do we define “good.”
In spite of the seeming confusion on this subject, history tells us the collective belief system that established our law and culture was based in the Bible. The word of God in both the Old and New Testaments was considered precious and an expression of absolute truth.
The trend today is to place culture above the Scriptures. In this context, we have a culture in crisis.
Social scientist Reginald W. Bibby, in his 1987 book, “Fragmented Gods,” says while observing religion in Canada: “Instead of a unified set of doctrines and habits, the churches today offer an assorted ‘menu’ from which parishioners may select their preferences.”
While there is a need for people to arrive at their beliefs from more than a dictated platform, the loss of religious authority is staggering.
Bibby further states, “When religion claims to be more than culture, it has the possibility of having authority over culture, and becomes worth listening to.”
The Bible is more than culture. The Bible is God’s word and it has authority over the culture. We must continue to hold its truths and principles dear, and not lose sight of the things that made us great.
The foundation of our peace is the word of God. It is Jesus who teaches us how to love even those who persecute us—and He remains the greatest example of personal sacrifice in human history.
The Gospel of John calls Jesus God manifested in the flesh. The lifeblood that was shed at Calvary is the payment for sin and the true way to inner healing and a fresh start in life.
John also tells us that through Jesus, we have a hope of Heaven when this earthly life comes to an end!
Truly nothing has ever affected the world as the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus!
Freedom is not free. It is maintained through an eternal vigilance of building on the values of truth.
If terror in the world can teach us to hate, then evil has won. If culture can lead us to forsake the foundations that built our nation, then evil has won.
Stand on the Bible and its principles at all cost and, for Calvary’s sake, stand lovingly!
