Christian Culture

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Simple definition: culture is the "customs, arts, and social institutions" of a people.  Much could
be added to that definition, I'm sure.  But in essence, what people do, and the ways they do,
constitute their "culture."

It's common today to hear Christians denigrate our secular "culture," and contrast themselves...
flatteringly, of course...with it.  True, as far as it goes.

Scripture certainly draws an absolute line between walking in God's ways, and "turning to our
own ways."  In Isaiah 53:6's prophecy of Jesus, the latter is the very definition of "sin: "All we
like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid
on him the iniquity of us all."

But the contrast Christians today draw between themselves and "the world" is often a dishonest
one.  There's a self-conscious (and let's face it, often-combative) "Christian culture" in America
today which defines itself in terms of human culture, especially human politico-social culture.

A friend told me once he considered that "no one can be a Christian unless they're a conservative."
My friend (and still my friend) is not an ignorant nor a stupid man: and he's probably a good deal
more honest about things than most of his faction.  It was nonethesless stunning to hear the core-
doctrine of "Christian conservatism" so blatantly proclaimed.

Which raises the question: if "Christian conservatism" so proudly contrasts itself in human politico-
social terms, against other human politico-social "cultures"...how is it in any way godly ?

The only contrast that truly exists is between God's ways and the "way that seemeth right to a man"
(Proverbs 14:12).  And no greater contrast could exist than that between the Kingdom of God Jesus
proclaimed, and the "people-rule" worldview of today's politico-social "Christian culture."

Indeed, "Christian culture" may the the enemy's most successful lie going.  The deceived "Christians"
ensnared in it believe, and assure themselves, they are doing God's work, God's way.

How then will people, so deceived they believe their own ways are God's ways, ever realize they must
repent of their ways, and be saved ?

As Proverbs 14:12 warns, "the way that seemeth right to a man" is, at its end, the "way of death."