In this podcast, Glen Scrivener and Andrew Wilson discuss how Christians can offer grace, freedom, and truth in a post-Christian society. They explore the challenges of evangelism, preaching, and parenting in this cultural moment, emphasizing the importance of counter-catechesis. The hosts share examples of fruitful conversations and reflect on engaging with casual visitors in churches. They also discuss the complexities of the modern world, the power of a Christian story, and the church's role in embracing diversity and uniqueness. Additionally, they delve into parenting in a post-Christian context and the opportunity for counter catechesis.
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Quick takeaways
Preserving the sanctity of Sundays can create 52 oases in our fast-paced lives, offering rest, grace, truth, and freedom as a compelling alternative to the secular world.
Preaching in a post-Christian context involves affirming cultural values, joining the dots between people's beliefs and reasons to believe, while highlighting the transformative power of the gospel.
Deep dives
The Importance of Keeping Sunday Special
In this episode, the importance of preserving the sanctity of Sundays is highlighted. The idea is to create 52 oases in our fast-paced lives, where the church provides a place of rest, grace, truth, and freedom. Sunday becomes a day to resist the constant pressure to be productive and pragmatic, allowing families to rest and experience a different way of living together. By embodying the values of equality, compassion, and rest, the church becomes a compelling and attractive alternative to the secular world.
Preaching in a Post-Christian Context
Preaching in a post-Christian context requires seeing the Scriptures as spectacles through which we interpret God and the world. By recognizing that the teachings of the Bible have shaped the very issues we face in our culture, we can address them directly and offer a unique perspective. This involves affirming values and beliefs in the culture, while also pointing out the inconsistencies or limitations of those beliefs without Christ. It's about joining the dots between what people believe and the reasons why they should believe them, while highlighting the transformative power of the gospel.
Parenting in a Post-Christian Society
Parenting in a post-Christian society provides an opportunity to have important conversations with children at a younger age. The explicit teachings and values of the secular world are being introduced to children early on, allowing parents to engage in counter-catechesis. By intentionally discussing issues such as sexuality, ethics, and values, parents can provide a Christian perspective that counters the secular narrative. This intentional approach to parenting allows for discipleship and helps children navigate the cultural challenges and conflicts they will encounter.
Leaning into Conflict and Difference
Living in a post-Christian moment requires intentional engagement with areas of conflict and difference. It's about affirming the good in the culture while also offering a Christian perspective. This can be done through counter-catechesis, addressing the errors in thinking that are being taught and discussing the biblical foundations for values such as equality, compassion, and truth. By leaning into these areas of conflict, we can engage in meaningful conversations and discipleship, offering an alternative perspective rooted in the gospel.
How can Christians offer grace, freedom, and truth in this current cultural moment? In this episode, Glen Scrivener and Andrew Wilson get practical.
If their books are correct in diagnosing the 21st-century West as post-Christian, what impact can this have on our approach to everyday evangelism, preaching, and parenting? They return to the observation that it is refreshing to be able to say to people, "Here's why you're right," rather than, "Here's why you're wrong."
They tease out the unique challenges of our current context and the need for Christians to offer counter-catechesis. Scrivener shares some examples of fruitful conversations he has had with friends and strangers, and Wilson reflects on how to engage with casual visitors in our churches—people who might not call themselves Christians but are recognizing the radical and foundational nature of Biblical teaching.
Credits:
Post-Christianity? is a podcast from The Gospel Coalition and The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics. Learn more about The Keller Center here.
The Good Book Company is the publisher of The Air We Breathe by Glen Scrivener. For 25% off books on Christianity and culture, go to thegoodbook.com/postpodcast.
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