In the Know but Choosy
Theme of the Week: Only One Way?
David Wells
Monday, March 17, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: The Athenians … seemed to spend all their time discussing the latest ideas Acts 17:21.Bonus Reading:Acts 17:16-23a
Paul had done the tough intellectual work of acquiring a detailed knowledge of, and analyzing and making moral judgments about, the worldviews of his day, within which paganism nestled.
So when this unexpected invitation came to speak to the intellectuals assembled at Mars Hill, he could accept on the spot and lay a foundation for authentic Christian belief without compromising the gospel.
Paul assumed that his culture was fallen and its religions mistaken, and that redemption meant a clean break with all "natural" religion. We tend to assume the opposite. We read Barna polls diligently to find the best ways to capitalize on the culture, to find the stars to which the gospel wagon can be hitched. Christians are rushing in droves to embrace what is mostly a passing fad in the forlorn hope that they'll find in it the recipe for their own success and acceptance.
Paul was driven by a contrary mind, in fact, by a clear sense of antithesis to much of what he saw. He did not do what so many Christians are doing today: seeking to identify with the latest, what is most in, so as to win some supposed acceptance in the postmodern world.
—David Wells in Only One Way?
My Response: What aspects of my culture may I accept? … which should I reject?
Adapted from Only One Way?, edited by Richard Phillips (Crossway, 2006) by permission.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
 share this page
I need Your Spirit's power, Lord, to defend the truth of Your Word while I live out the love of the gospel.
Men of Integrity
Connect with God | Transform my Mind | Live by His Power
Relate Better | Make an Impact
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try an Issue of Men of Integrity
Free!
|
 |
|
No credit card required. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only. Click here for International orders.
If you decide you want to keep Men of Integrity coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive five more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The trial issue is yours to keep, regardless.
Give Men of Integrity as a gift
Buy 1 gift subscription, get 1 FREE!
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| 
RSS Feed
