Book Review- Culture Shift:The Battle for the Moral Heart of America

Culture Shift: The Battle for  the Moral Heart of America by R. Albert Mohler Jr. . (Multnomah Books, Colorado Springs, 2008,2011).  185 pages reviewed.

Culture Shift is a thoughtful and challenging collection of essays written by the author that address numerous areas of cultural interest. Addressing “shifts” in the moral view of issues like the law, political correctness, terrorism, education, evolution and others, Mohler offers an informed perspective on the changes occurring in how Americans view these issues. The book, written from a Christian worldview, addresses culture “head-on” and gives insights worthy of consideration for thoughtful Christians. Mohler brings a historical perspective and writes as a “balanced advocate,” meaning he advocates a Christian worldview and response, but is careful to present culture accurately…and does not shy away from “weaknesses” in the traditional “Christian” position on issues.

This is not a minister’s “rant” on the demise of culture; rather, it is a thoughtful analysis of culture, influence, and the Christian’s responsibility. The tone is cordial. The assertions are gracious. The assumptions are limited and well documented.

As a pastor, I picked up the book as part of my research for an upcoming project. It has stimulated my thinking and inspired me to action in a couple of key areas of my work. I recommend the book to professional minister and lay person alike. It sounds a clarion call to action without taking an alarmist tone.

Thank you Dr. Mohler! An asset to my library.

You can purchase a copy from Amazon HERE.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review as part of their blogger’s book review  program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

A Point of Clarity: LDS and Rhetoric

With the leading Republican nominee being a professing and active member of the LDS (Latter Day Saints/ Mormon) church, we are hearing significant interest by onlookers as to how evangelical Christians view the faith system. While I have personal reservations about the “motives” of the questions, the topic is important enough to speak to it…because discerning Christians should always be able to “give a defense” for what we believe (1 Peter 3:15).

The underlying question is whether we, as believers, should support a candidate who is not an evanglical Christian. It is a strange questions since no one asks if a person is faithful as an evanglical. Is it more “dangerous” or “unsavory” to have a candidate who is non-evangelical…or a “baptist” who can’t define what “is” is? Truthfully…we need to move the conversation beyond the labels and see what a person believes (worldview), how that affects his/her decision making, and then exercise STEWARDSHIP over what God has entrusted to us as Christian believers with a fundamental right to vote.

HERE is a helpful comparison page on some of the major differences between Historic Christianity and Mormonism. (NOTE: Just because something is historic doesn’t make it right or wrong. Be willing to examine the doctrines themselves and compare them to the Scriptures. If they are correct, then embrace them.)

HERE is a great article written by Dr. Ed Stetzer who is a “mentor at a distance” to me. [By that I mean that his work has been helpful and we have met a couple of times. I read his books and require them for reading in the classes I teach on subjects like church planting and missions. Ed and I do not exchange Christmas cards...but I would if he would send me an address   ].

One of the most helpful parts of Stetzer’s article is the call for clarity on the language we use. To use the term “cult” (which we are hearing and will be hearing more if in the days ahead) is to invite empassioned responses. (Images of Waco or Jim Jones come to mind). Since this is not the goal of well-intentioned commentators or even pastors like me, it is more useful to grab a term that communicates our goal.

MAKE NO MISTAKE, I do not believe that the teachings of the LDS Faith are consistent with the Bible. I do not believe that people who hold to the orthodox teachings of the LDS church are “believers” as the Bible speaks of believers and therefore I do not believe that the LDS faith teaches or experiences Salvation as it is described or promised in the Bible. So…I do not believe that members of the LDS faith are “Christian” as we use and understand the word (since it communicates by definition that one is a “follower of Christ”). You cannot rightfully claim to be a follower of Christ and not follow Christ in His life and teachings. Jesus spoke differently of Himself than the teachings of the Mormon church portray.

At the same time, I would argue that the teachings of Mormonism are moral, in the same way that Islam and Buddhism or even some others are moral. What we know though is that religion is not a utilitarian tool to foster morality. It is a system that teaches people how to relate to God in truth. I can legislate morality but I cannot legislate a relationship with God.

My charge to you who read along here…don’t fall into the trap of using incendiary words that do not further the conversation. Don’t get drawn into a soundbite that ultimately hurts the cause of Christ. Here is what Christ wants from you and me as an ultimate goal…that we would faithfully proclaim the gospel in a way that exalts God, reconciles men, and doesn’t erect artificial barriers to salvation.

At the same time…let’s not be so “flippant” in our use of words that we lose the meaning of what it is to be a “Christian.” The United States is not a Christian nation. 80% of Americans are not Christians (though they would claim to be even though they have no biblical connection to Jesus). Someone is not a Christian simply because he says so. One is a Christian if he follows after Christ.

Lest I be misquoted or misunderstood: Do not read this and think that I “hate” mormons. I love them. I have friends who are in the LDS church. We disagree about Jesus but our children have common interests and we relate to one another. I always desire for them to be changed/converted/saved and to follow Jesus as Lord. I do not apologize for that. I desire that because I love them. Further, I do not feel superior toward people in the LDS church or any other faith system. Were it not for the grace of God and the love and care of people in my life who told me the truth about Jesus, I would be just as separated from God as every non-Christian on the planet…and that is the majority. I do not see myself in an elitest way; rather, I see myself as a servant of Christ and therefore, an agent of the Kingdom and a friend to those whom Jesus loved and died for. As such, I serve others…even (and especially) those who have yet to experience the love of Christ in the same way I have.

Great post from JD Greear on Christians and Alcohol

Hey guys,

Check out this post from JD Greear’s blog on the subject of alcohol consumption and Christian discipleship.

I found the post to be well thought out and the comments to the post to be revealing.

You can access the post HERE, and then drop back by and share your thoughts with me. Love to hear where you “land” on the subject.

An interesting article on being “intoxicated with one’s wife”

Here is a great article from one of the online journals I read. It deals with the subject of how a man is to relate to his wife and it speaks to the secret of having a fulfilling and blessed relationship with her throughout marriage.

I thought this paragraph was particularly good:

…When his heart is godly, the husband finds all the delight he can manage—and more. Indeed, he knows intoxication (v. 19) in the presence of his spouse—and this at every stage in life. Womanhood is a splendid work of God, and surpassingly fortunate is the man to whom the Lord has entrusted a wife. To look beyond her is both unnecessary and unseemly, for she alone has treasures enough to reward the faithful gaze.

Check out the full article HERE and then drop back by and share your thoughts.

Marriages need lies to survive…

This is the thrust of a column in Newsweek. You should read the article HERE. Then, come back and share your impressions on the subject.

One: Do you think she is serious…or speaking tongue-in-cheek?

Two: How did deception get to be the “loving” thing to do?

Three: How would you answer a friend who was reading this and thought it was a perfect approach to marriage?

Thanks to Jed Coppenger for turning me on to the link! Wow.

Interesting article: Two Track Ecclesiology

Here is a link to a recent article written by Dr. Albert Mohler, President of Southern Seminary. In it, he writes about a recent proposition in the Anglican church to potentially create a two track model within the Anglican church…one where homosexuality is viewed as a sin, specifically prohibited in the Scripture; and, another where homosexuality is not only NOT a sin, but is morally insignificant. Obviously…I have an opinion. However, I want to hear yours.

• Do you think it is possible for a church to embrace two opposing streams of thought on the same issue?
• Beyond your particular view on homosexuality, is it possible to embrace and affirm different opinions on biblical teaching on homosexuality and “chalk it up” to different interpretive methods?
• What if the issue were consuming alcohol, gluttony, or tithing? Is there a substantive difference?

YES…I am trying to provoke a conversation…but as an exercise in discernment and how our practice should flow out of our beliefs…not the other way around. Please read Dr. Mohler’s article and then come back here to comment.

A post on Heresy and Current Issues

Dr. Mohler, President of Southern Seminary is a brilliant theologian and leading voice in the Southern Baptist Convention, as well as the modern church at large. He posts an interesting read HERE about the subject of heresy…highlighting the use of the word and the view of the presiding bishop of the Episcopal church.

There is a desire among many to shift to one of two extremes as it relates to other self-identified “christian denominations.” One approach is to accept that if a “faith” believes in the historical Jesus…to accept them as “Christian” and embrace their believes as biblical, authoritative, and true. The other extreme is to identify everyone who is not like “us” as completely and absolutely wrong…even if the differences are minor and tertiary (secondary in importance).

I encourage you to read the comments by the Bishop and Dr. Mohler’s comments about heresy. I too am guilty (at times) of overusing the term heresy.

I then would encourage all to not accept anything on the surface. When you meet a person from the Church of Jesus Christ  (LDS) or the witness of Jehovah (JW), do not immediately assume that since they acknowledge the historical Jesus…that they are necessarily followers of Christ. Christ is the only Way of Salvation…and He clearly defined the “Way” to experience salvation. He, nor it, is not open to revisionist views or popular opinion. He (and it) simply Is.

Would love to hear your reaction to the post. Come back by and drop your comments in here.

Great Post on the attitude of the unchurched toward Christians

Thom Rainer, the President of Lifeway and a world class church consultant, published a great article on his site. It categorizes 5 things that turn off the “unchurched” about Christians. You can read the post HERE.

What I found particularly interesting (and see to be true based on the time Jodi and I spend with people who are unchurched and some who don’t claim a relationship with Christ) is the evidence that no one expects Christians to be perfect. As long as a believer is nice, open minded, willing to get involved in the conversation, and consistent in his/her life…there is an instant respect and common ground. To not be these things…is seen as an offense to those outside the church; how much more it should be offensive to those in the church.

I am interested in your responses, so read the post and drop back by to comment.

Interesting Article- Salvation, Universalism, and Christian Beliefs

Here is an interesting article from Ed Stetzer, who is the President of Lifeway Research, a pastor, church planter, and one of the most respected missional thinkers today. His blog post (HERE) deals with a recent religious survey from Pew Research. Their study is found HERE.

In short, a majority of the people who are self-identified Christians in America believe that other non-Christian religions can provide “salvation.”

I know we live in a “politically correct” culture….and that it is difficult to believe that our friend “Bob” who lives next door and practices another religion might not be “saved” since he believes differently than we do…but if Christians don’t really believe that they alone possess the truth of eternal life, how can they hope to convince others and thus allow others to experience it as well?

Could it be that the reason many do not actively seek to help their neighbors come to “Salvation knowledge” of Jesus Christ…is because we secretly believe that other ways to God exist and have merit?

Let me encourage you to read the Stetzer post and the Pew Research results…then shoot me a comment on your thoughts. I really want to know…even if (especially if) your thoughts disagree with mine. What is hard for me to grasp is this…if you don’t believe that true Christianity is the sole means of relationship with God (Salvation)…why do you practice Chrisitanity and why did Jesus tell us to “make disciples” of all peoples everywhere?

Love to hear your thoughts.

Weekend Reflections: April 12, 2008

What an incredible weekend we experienced! On Saturday, our church team, under the leadership of Andrea Frost planned and implemented a community Easter Egg Hunt at Springdale Park in Pensacola. (www.eggsinthepark.com) This is the 6th year that Andrea has been pursuing this. She has a burden for her neighbors and what took place Saturday is a sterling example of how the “church” does ministry. The “church” came alongside in ministering to the community through this outreach event. The results were that between 600-700 people came and enjoyed free games, food, egg hunt, exhibitions by the Esacambia County Sheriff’s Canine Unit, Motorcycle Show and Exhibits of race cars, metal detecting…you name it! Someone said, “this turned out great.” Well, nothing turns out great. The team of volunteers gave all they had and worked hard. God blessed it and it was incredible. Great results, in my experience, follow great determination, and above average commitment to the goal.

Today, we had two identical worship services (8:45 and 10:30). Out teams ministered like they have been doing this for years. This is the first time Calvary has ever had two worship services. We added the second service for no other reason than to reach our community. I received a phone call this morning before the 8:45 service from a woman who said that she had been out of church for some time…but felt led to come to church today. (She called for service times and to know if we ministered to children). God took the careful and faithful preparation of His people and blessed it. He used all of the efforts to tell His Story to people He is drawing to Himself. Again, great success typically follows great commitment and determination. Nothing just happens. When we are intentional about being available, relatable, missional, and worshipful, God uses is. AS A RESULT we had 554 people on campus for worship (an increaseof nearly 200 over Easter last year!) We had 2 dozen families or more fill out first time Connection Cards and many decisions for Salvation and recommitments of lives. PLEASE Pray with me that many of these people will come back next week as we continue in the series of messages on “All Things New.” We will be talking about the purpose God has and how that relates to our success in life.

A special thank you to every member of the teams who made today possible. I know we had a huge turnout for children’s ministry. Everyone worked hard to make this all possible! I heard many positive comments about having two services. What were your thoughts? I feel that God will continue to bless our ministry. As such, I suspect that in the coming months, we will have two regular services and will add a third service for Easter next year! If God gave us 554 this year…why don’t we pray now for 1,000 next year? Wouldn’t that be amazing?

One last thought as I close…After serving at the park on Saturday…and hearing many people compliment the church and our efforts at serving them…I drove home and saw a group of men with big bibles and billboards at the main intersections near my home. They were preaching at cars as they drove by. I pulled in to hear more of what they were saying. There was nothing wrong with the content of their message. The Scriptures were right. Their context, however, was as wrong as anything I have ever seen. I was EMBARRASSED by how they represented Christ and had a single prayer as I drove away. I pray that no one confuses me with them or confuses the Jesus who saved me with the “jesus” that they preached about. (Their jesus simply sought to condemn people for their failures.)

Newsflash…my failure and your failure was fully known to Jesus when He laid down His life in our place at Calvary. He gave His life, not to condemn, but that we would be saved (John 3:16-17). If Jesus were into condemning people, He could simply have avoided the cross. We were condemned already.

I cannot imagine (or even recall an incident in the Bible…even the one they were waving around) where Jesus yelled at people as they passed by. Just a hint to anyone who thinks this is effective or prescribed as a biblical practice: Smile more, yell less, learn someone’s name, and share how God was merciful to you…a sinner, undeserving of His mercy and grace. At that point, they might be open to your message. Otherwise…please pick another intersection…preferably one at a country crossroad 1000 miles from civilization. You are hurting the cause of Christ.

Praise God for He alone is Good and Worthy of our Praise and Adoration.

Grace,