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Open Theism Discussion Board > Public Forums > Questions about Christianity > (No Subject)
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Sven
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Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 2
| Posted 7/10/2001 7:47 AM (GMT -6) |   | What does it mean to have a Christian counter culture? Is this something we should strive for?
Sven
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Glamdring
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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 35
| Posted 7/10/2001 6:03 PM (GMT -6) | | We are called to be in the world yet not of the world. I think that as Christians we are naturally counter cultural. Dr. Boyd says we should live our lives radically, passionately, sold out for Christ. I think if we strive for that, we will become increasingly aware of the way we come up against the cultures we live in.
for what its worth
g
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writerdad
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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 448
| Posted 7/10/2001 6:04 PM (GMT -6) | | If can mean several things: to me, it means rebelling against the tight constraints put upon Christians by the "church" in America, as far as how one expresses oneself in the arts. But I know for some it is a counterculture alternative to the world. John 17:3 Harold
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Sven
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Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 2
| Posted 7/10/2001 7:23 PM (GMT -6) | | If this is true, how far should it go? Should someone walking down the street be able to immediately recognize you as a Christian? What does a Christian look like?
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Glamdring
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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 35
| Posted 7/11/2001 1:14 AM (GMT -6) | | Mt. 6:22. The eyes are the lamp of the body.
Sometimes I can tell whether or not someone is a Christian just by looking them in the eye.
g
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trosie
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Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 550
| Posted 7/11/2001 7:53 PM (GMT -6) | | Sven asks: "Should someone walking down the street be able to immediately recognize you as a Christian? What does a Christian look like?"
I think this is where Christianity can sometimes be confusing because we are supposed to be light to the world, however many Christians don't have any outstanding features that set them apart from the world. While some, who have self-righteous attitudes, may stand out, they certainly don't shine a light in the world which is what we are called to do.
Glams quoted: "Dr. Boyd says we should live our lives radically, passionately, sold out for Christ."
I agree with this! The more we Christians fix our eyes on the person of Christ,(and ask WWJD? in situations), the more countercultural our actions will become. Recently, I encountered some self-righteous Christians that really IRKED me so I may just be venting here, but I don't think that the self-righteous nor performance based characteristics, that some Christians walk in, will win the world to Christ although they too are countercultural. Only when we focus on Christ can we truly become transformed by Christ and become a light for the world which is the type of countercultural living we should be striving for.
I believe living totally sold out for Christ and abandoning our own self-centered desires is what it means to be living counterculturally. Since our culture teaches people to be self-directed and self-centered living a life for Christ is what it means to be living counter the culture.
trosie
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Pseudo-Intellectual
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Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 58
| Posted 7/12/2001 6:45 AM (GMT -6) | | Sven, I think that the idea that Christianity is a counter-culture breaks down when push comes to shove for reasons I list below. It is at best one metaphor among others to describe how Christianity relates to the world.
- A counter-culture depends upon the dominant culture for its identity. Christianity does not depend upon the world for its identity.
- Many counter-cultures get reabsorbed into the dominant culture. (i.e. the Beatles songs now used in Nike ads)
- Cultures rapidly change. Christianity also deals with change but is not at the mercy of fashion the way cultures are.
Again when push comes to shove Christianity is acultural. The metaphor of a counter-culture captures the radical difference and the idea of a new way of living, a new hope, as well as a challenge.
How different should Christians be? I don’t know if an answer can be pinpointed, at least I haven’t seen a good one yet. Let me know if you ever do.
dudechild
"If there is no God, who pops up the next Kleenex?" -Art Hoppe
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writerdad
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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 448
| Posted 7/12/2001 6:18 PM (GMT -6) | | I agree with Dudechild, but I would like to add this: it depends from what perspective one is looking from. If viewed by an outsider in a capitalist society, where making the most money is the best one can do, the Christian who gives up his life to be a missionary or for feeding the poor would definitely be counter culture. While Christianity doesn't depend on the culture to define it, it can be counter to the prevailing culture and so it can (in some sense) be counter to the prevailing culture. John 17:3 Harold
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Glamdring
Registered Member
Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 35
| Posted 7/12/2001 6:22 PM (GMT -6) | | Yo Dudechild!
Welcome.
Thanks for the insightful post! very good.
hey Dad,
nice point. glad to see you are still with us.
g
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Triskal
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 198
| Posted 7/12/2001 7:41 PM (GMT -6) | | Greetings everyone!
Great questions Sven. I'm going to try and address them the best I can.
Sven asked, "What does it mean to have a Christian counter culture? Is this something we should strive for?"
I believe that when the Bible talks about being "in the world, but not of it", it describes the type of goals and desires a Christian has as being different than that of those who are of the world (meaning those who desire that of the physical nature and give no regard to the spiritual). While our desires are to grow closer to God and those around us, those "of the world" may desire to have a good career, a nice house, car, clothes, etc. (When I say desire, I mean they make it their main priority and put all of their effort towards it.)
Do I think that staying away from these types of "wordly desires" is something Christians should strive for? Indeed I do! Before we can put our efforts into things not of this world, we must first let go of the things in this world that we desire and pour our energy into.
Sven asked, "If this is true, how far should it go? Should someone walking down the street be able to immediately recognize you as a Christian? What does a Christian look like?"
I believe it should go as far as it takes to establish ourselves as those who have poured all of our being into our relationship with God, and then even farther!
When we have immersed ourselves into the reality of God's presence in and around ourselves, the effects ARE GOING TO SHOW. If we do not "comform to the pattern of this world" (Rom. 12:2), and do not "lay up for ourselves treasures on earth" (Matt 6:19), we will then become those who display in and around themselves attitudes of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23).
THAT is what should be showing in the lives of those who call themselves Christians. With time, that kind of behavior can be easily recognized as being that of Christians, IF (and only if) they have got their eyes fixed on the Lord, rather than on the world.
In His Grip,
Matt
Edited by - Triskal on 07/13/2001 12:44:52 AM | | Back to Top | | |
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Romans8
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 1
| Posted 7/16/2001 7:19 AM (GMT -6) | | Regarding knowing a Christian upon seeing one, I quote Triskal: "We will then become those who display in and around themselves attitudes of "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23)." These attributes are visually apparent in people. If we are asking God to search our hearts, to know us, and lead us in the way everlasting, He can transform us by His Spirit into people who can be recognized simply by perception.
Searched and Known,
Tim <>< | | Back to Top | | |
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Glamdring
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Date Joined Jun 2001
Total Posts : 35
| Posted 7/16/2001 8:17 AM (GMT -6) | | | | |
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Pseudo-Intellectual
Registered Member
Date Joined Jul 2001
Total Posts : 58
| Posted 7/17/2001 8:26 PM (GMT -6) | | i just reread this thread (im a poet and i dont even knowit) and i realized that there was a much clearer way to say what i was trying to say.
Christianity is not a culture.
There that was much better.
dudechild
"If there is no God, who pops up the next Kleenex?" -Art Hoppe
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