How To Win the Culture Wars
Last week, we discussed the important role values play in shaping culture. They are the single most important ingredients that shapes culture. The better our understanding of values is, the more skillful we become at shaping and influencing culture.
Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” (Matthew 28: 19). After many years, I am convinced that what Jesus meant by this statement was for us to influence cultures in a way that every person will come to know him. But it all starts by understanding values... and this is where we find our problem in fulfilling our commission as Christians.
You see, our lack of depth in understanding values is the reason why Christianity often finds itself losing in the “culture wars”—whether that’s in the form of losing its influence in university campuses, losing its voice in the most controversial topics of our time, or losing airtime in social or even regular media.
It seems as if the devil has taken Jesus’ strategy seriously, while his disciples remain clueless on how to win the war or worse, unaware that there is a war to begin with.
Why Are We Losing?
There is no doubt that Jesus, his message, and the life he brings is the best “product” anyone can offer. The big question is, why aren’t people lining up for Jesus?
The common answer Christians give is that there is an enemy who blinds people. While this is true, another reason why people don’t buy the Gospel is because we package it in a way that is of little or no value to people. Let me explain:
Imagine going to church. As you enter the building, you notice that the lobby is dimly lit, the floors are dirty, the people don’t seem to be happy, and the toilets smell bad. You then think to yourself, “This can’t get any worse.”
Just then, your eyes catch the announcement board and it informs you that the service begins at 9:00 AM. When you checked the time, however, it is already 9:10 AM and there is no sign of the service starting. So you sit and wait.
The service finally begins, and minutes after the loud, out-of-tune singing finally ends, the preacher comes on stage. By this time, you try to fight the urge to sleep from his monotonous, nasally voice and lengthy scriptural jargon, using words so far in the past they don't make sense to you.
With set-ups like these, it is no wonder why outsiders see little value in the Gospel. So, how do we win the culture wars?
1. Value Stewardship
The first thing to do is to check your values quotient. If you don’t see what’s wrong with the situation above, then you probably don’t understand values, and will not be very effective in influencing culture. Because culture is about values.
One key Christian value is stewardship. A dimly lit, dirty lobby has a lower value than an illuminated, clean one. That’s the reason why there are more people in movie theatres than in churches. This does not mean you need an expensive building; it just means that you need to put more light bulbs and to maintain a standard for cleanliness. Be a good steward.
When we don’t start on time, we reduce the value of our service. Without saying so, we have announced our lack of discipline and respect for our guests—a sad statement that says we don’t value them and their time.
2. Value A Spirit of Excellence
The second thing is to check your excellence quotient. We may be in challenging situations and nations but we can desire a spirit of excellence and be inspired by the words of Daniel 6:3 - "Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom."
So instead of settling for mediocrity, we should be aware that we are ambassadors of Christ and we can live our lives with an excellence and disciplined life that honors God. In that, there is value.
3. Value Time and Seasons
Finally, let us remember that winning the war against a sinful culture is won over time and seasons. Stay faithful in obeying the Lord and aspire to be Christ-like in your behavior with others, and little by little you will win people to Christ, and influence your culture for good.
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