"Not of This World." These words struck me as odd. Emboldened in a creative, edgy font, spanning the back window of a new, sytlish crossover automobile, these words hit me with a strange irony. I could not help but laugh, at first. After all, what could be more humorous than using the proud, cultural icon of American living--an automobile--as a means for promulgating a counter-cultural, other-worldly ethos. Therein lies the irony--using culture to bash culture.
Personally, this is disconcerting to me. However, it is so common in our Christian sub-culture, especially among the younger generation (including mine). "Not of This World" seems to be the mantra of so many Christians today. It can be summed up like this... "Man, all we need to do is look at the world and do just the opposite." Excellent (sarcastic grin). We are basing our Christian ethic on "counter-culturalism" rather than an intentional discerning of what it means to be a Christian in our day and age. And in doing so, there are several fallacies I find deleterious to the Christian church as a whole and to a serious, personal devotion to Christ.
First, if we base something on anything other than God, it becomes an idol. Sounds silly, but I really believe this one. As soon as we start looking at the culture as a basis for measuring the practice of our faith, even if it is a "counter" measure, we lose sight of what we are to do... seek first the kingdom of God. Culture becomes our norm for practice and behavior. Then, scripture, prayer, the example of Christ, or the leading of the Holy Spirit all become interpretive vehicles for furthering our conviction based on "counter-culture" ideology. Not far off is an outright rejection of God as understood through our classic confessions of faith.
Second, what happens if the culture we live in is predominantly Christian? I believe much of our society has been established on a Christian ethos. I think of civic organizations helping to make a difference in the community, stores and factories closed on Sundays because Christian worship is a central aspect of society, morality that knows right from wrong, an education system that provides an opportunity for the less fortunate to excel in life, not to mention a generation who sacrificed their own lives to ensure the freedom of "other" people. Life, liberty, self-responsibility, sacrifice for the greater good--are these not good qualities that come from God? Yes, our society may have gone overboard a bit, such that liberty and self-responsibility have birthed radical individualism. And I am convinced no generation holds the totality of expression of Christianity in and of itself. But, can we discount these foundational qualities as being "anti-Christian"? I fear that a blind and undiscerning disregard for the culture around us may be an unintentional denial of some great Christian qualities that will keep our next generation from experiencing the fullness of God. It is not easy. As one of my favorite philosophers said, "It is easier to die as a martyr than to live as a Christian in today's world."
Third, I believe this counter-cultural Christianity does not take seriously the incarnation. God the Son took on flesh. When he did, according to historic Christianity, God sanctified the material. We don't like that today, because it means some things in the world are actually good. God gave us food, provision, sustenance from the
material world. He gave us the capacity to enjoy the pleasures of this
material world (food, drink, sex, a walk in the park, fishing). We would rather condemn "things" of the world, which makes us feel better about being "Not of This World," all the while having no idea what it all means for our everyday living. It is easier to sit in the safety of the black and white than to walk in the fog of grey. In the Gospel of John--the same gospel where we find "not of this world"--we find the Word becoming flesh. This unifying principle of life (logos = word), the one that gives order and meaning to this world, precisely because it exists beyond it, is now condescending itself to that which it ordered and arranged. This is incarnation. And it is frustratingly not so black and white.
I suppose I could go on for a while. (I actually deleted several paragraphs already.) But for the sake of brevity, I stop. Next time I see that car in Amarillo, I will smile. And chuckle. And say a prayer for our Church.
Blessings,
JON
Here is a fun pic of our wonderful family. Though Michael is a little worn out, most of us are having a great time. 
