The World s Thinking The Worldly Church The Worldly Evangelical Church 1
The World s Thinking Secularism: The Cosmos Is All That Is Umbrella term for all other isms Describes a mental framework and value structure of our time A philosophy that does not see beyond this world. This age is all that there is. Literally, what Paul says in Romans 12:2 This worldview is entirely bound up in the limits of the material universe. 2
The World s Thinking Humanism: You Will Be Like God Man is the center of everything. Sometimes referred to as Secular Humanism Example is Daniel 4:30, 34-35. 3
Daniel 4:30 (NASB) 30 The king reflected and said, Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?
Daniel 4:34-35 (NASB) 34 But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, What have You done?
The World s Thinking Humanism: You Will Be Like God Man is the center of everything. Sometimes referred to as Secular Humanism Example is Daniel 4:30, 34-35. Humanism is opposed to God and hostile to Christianity. Humanism leads to deification of self. This leads to a growing disregard for others. Forget about others, look out for yourself, you are what matters. 3
The World s Thinking Relativism: A Moral Morass There is no God and therefore no moral absolutes in any area of life. The goals of education are to define truth, good, and beauty. Relativism makes this impossible. The discovery of absolutes requires the belief in such absolutes. This philosophy leaves a values vacuum. 4
The World s Thinking Materialism: The Material Girl If the cosmos is all that there is, then nothing exists but what is material or measurable. Therefore, any value in life is found in material terms, such as health, long life, and riches. This plays itself out in the heroes of our time. This is the opposite of Jesus Matthew 8:20; John 18:36. 5
John 18:36 (NASB) 36 Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.
From The Rock Here were a decent godless people: Their only monument the asphalt road And a thousand lost golf balls. T. S. Eliot
The World s Thinking Pragmatism: It Works for Me Truth is measured by its utilitarian value. This philosophy was pushed mostly by the industrial revolution which had a goal of efficiency leading to low cost. Skyscrapers now overshadow the towering spires of cathedrals. Test of truth in religion is does it work? Health, wealth, and prosperity are yours if 6
The World s Thinking Mindlessness: Amusing Ourselves to Death The inability or unwillingness to look at life in a thoughtful way Materialism, the fast pace of modern life, and philosophical skepticism are some of the causes of this cultural debilitation. We see this in the way media communicates and cripples. 7
The Worldly Church The world s wisdom The Church was undermined by rationalism to where the Bible was no longer God s Word to man, but man s word about God! Three sad consequences People became uncertain about what to believe. Church began embracing the world s morals, etc. Decisions were no longer made based on Scripture but on the prevailing opinions of the time. Wisdom of the 51% Francis Shaeffer 8
The Worldly Church The world s theology Man is basically good; no one is really lost. Belief in Jesus Christ is not necessary for salvation; there could be more than one way. Sin was no longer rebellion against God but ignorance of oppression in social structures. Salvation became liberation from the oppressive social structures. Faith was becoming aware of this oppression. Evangelism was overthrowing injustice. 9
The Worldly Church The world s agenda The world must set the agenda. The church s concerns should be the world s concerns. The world s methods From the Gospel proclaimed by believers through the persuasion of the Scriptures and the Holy Spirit and prayer To the Gospel of power, politics, and money 10
The Worldly Evangelical Church The world s wisdom Is the Bible God s Word? Authoritative? Inerrant? 11
The Worldly Evangelical Church The world s wisdom Is the Bible God s Word? Authoritative? Inerrant? YES! Is the Bible adequate for the challenges we face in today s culture and times? 11
The Worldly Evangelical Church The world s wisdom Is the Bible God s Word? Authoritative? Inerrant? YES! Is the Bible adequate for the challenges we face in today s culture and times? NO! This answer leaves us with: The Pattern of This Age Felt-need sermons, entertainment, signs, and wonders Therapy groups Evangelical lobby groups 11
The Worldly Evangelical Church The world s theology Sin became dysfunctional behavior. Salvation is about self-esteem or wholeness. Jesus became an example for right living. Happy wife, Happy life 12
The Worldly Evangelical Church The world s agenda To be happy, contented, and satisfied Happiness is the maximum amount of personal peace and sufficient affluence to The Pattern of This Age enjoy it. Francis Shaeffer Seen in the prosperity gospel Preaching that extols the good life 13
The Worldly Evangelical Church The world s methods Emphasis on large numbers, large campuses, and money Toning down the hard edges of Biblical truth in order to keep more people Strange approaches to evangelism Entertainment worship 14
Application How has the world s thinking crept into your theology (beliefs)? How has it affected your doxology (behavior)? What are you going to do to become more discerning? 15