Conform To The World

When I worked with the deaf I found that was about as cross-cultural as anything we ever encountered in other countries! Culture is transmitted through language and language through, for most of us, hearing. Thus, with a different language, they have their own different culture. The KJV or ANY English Bible is almost impossible for them to understand. There are a couple of sign-compatible Bibles out, but none terribly adequate. Signing is necessary.

And because most deaf are NOT in the 'upper middle class', learning to accept and understand 'bottom line living' is a necessity. I did find that teaching a little about nutrition and some basic health issues was not a bad thing, however!

 

You know who said this and it still surprises you?

 

Not as good at stating your OPINION as in the other thread, pasdave. :type:

 

At some time or another one must speak truth as truth.

 

OK, so it's not your opinion, then?

 

Like I said, I was being very nice. But, to answer your question- no, it is not my opinion. To me it is fact, but to others, who are mislead by that type, it would be my opinion.

 

I think Joseph has a point here (don't faint, Joseph! :smilewinkgrin: )

I think this is what is happening with the influence of the Emergent Church - they want to reach the postmodern culture but in some cases are having a postmodern theology in order to make Jesus or the gospel more appealing.

I think the principle to use is this (and is what I use in my ministry which involves speaking to witches, New Agers, Satanists, Goths, etc.): the cross is an offense and we can't or shouldn't change that, but let's not throw in other offenses since we know the cross is an offense to those who don't believe. So be loving and patient, but stick to the clear message of the cross without sugarcoating it.

Also - difference between a springboard and a platform: I may dialogue with people and use some of their terms and beliefs as springboards for discussion, but not as platforms for the gospel. The only platform for the truth can be truth. You can't sugarcoat the fact that people are in sin and are separated from God by that sin. You can start off by talking about the nature of God - his righteousness (and in my ministry, just who God is to begin with) - and how he cannot accept sin. That can lead to why man is in trouble (he cannot be good enough for God and cannot make up for his own sins) and why we need redemption, hence we need Christ as the only way.

There does seem to be an increasing acceptance in the church that nothing bad should be said about wrong beliefs. It's a big no-no now to say any non-Christian beliefs are evil or false, even though the Bible says this. I think this is dangerous, and this has nothing to do with witnessing in love. We can witness to people in love and at the same time be clear about what is true and what is false.

 

I have another good article on this thread, but it's dealing specifically with muslims, but there's a point in it where the preacher deals with how to overcome cultural values to get His truth to reach to unbelievers. It's a good speech.

 

I don't know how much more appealing it is, but I am thankful for the Emergent church communicating the gospel in language and action that postmodern culture understands.

 

The Problem is that they are not communicating the Gospel of the Bible. They are tickling the lost world's ears with nice platitudes and entertaining them.

Joseph Botwinick