Rethinking Worldliness: How Christians Can Discern, Engage, and Redeem Culture

Sep 14, 2016

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How can followers of Jesus wisely navigate an increasingly complex cultural landscape? In Episode 14, Mike Erre and Andy unpack the Christian call to discernment—separating harmful cultural patterns from those that can be received or even redeemed for good. They revisit Jesus’s teaching on judgment in Luke 6, explore the biblical differentiation between condemnation and constructive discernment, and challenge oversimplified labels like “Christian” and “secular.”

Together, they navigate how to engage culture with wisdom and grace, learning from both the scriptures and shared community life. From the uses of alcohol and media to the constructed systems of society that oppose God's ways, Mike offers practical tools for how to discern what to reject, receive, and redeem—all while staying rooted in the love and mission of Jesus.

Key Takeaways: • The Biblical Difference Between Judgment and Discernment – Why Jesus condemns judgment that separates people but encourages discernment that distinguishes behaviors. • Understanding “The World” in Scripture – Three distinct meanings of “world” in the Bible and why not everything labeled “secular” is inherently bad. • Reject, Receive, Redeem – A powerful three-part framework for Christians to engage moral gray areas like alcohol, media, and cultural participation. • Discerning Within Community – Why discernment should begin among those we live life with in faith, rather than directed outward toward those outside the church. • The Role of Christian Witness – How personal strength, contextual awareness, and concern for Jesus’s reputation shape how we live and love in the world.

Resources Mentioned: • Luke 6 – Link • Hebrews 5:11-14 – On maturity and discerning good from evil • John 17 – Jesus’s prayer "not of the world, but sent into it" • 1 John 2, Romans 12, James 4 – Biblical warnings about worldliness • C.S. Lewis and Tim Keller on cultural discernment (Suggested further reading)

Join the conversation as we rethink the labels we use and learn to see through the lens of wisdom and grace. Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform, leave a review, and follow us on social to keep up with future episodes.

As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Music in this episode by Timothy John Stafford

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As always, we encourage and would love discussion as we pursue. Feel free to email in questions to hello@voxpodcast.com, and to engage the conversation on Facebook and Instagram.

We're on YouTube (if you're into that kinda thing): VOXOLOGY TV.