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Can Christ survive modern culture?
In the ancient world, people looked to the sky and called it the heavens, now it is “space”. And as we progress deeper into this highly technological, culturally advanced and politically correct modern age, many make the mistake of dismissing the gospel as “antiquated” or labeling Jesus Christ a mere moral philosopher. The earth-shattering reality of what took place in Bethlehem 2000 years ago is reduced to a “cute story”, offering little or nothing to professional plights for success and security. In the timeless reality of Jesus Christ, however, there is hope; when humility meets divinity, life is finally put into its proper perspective.
After forgiveness, perspective is probably the gift most freely offered by God yet seldom requested. When it comes to Jesus Christ, perspective offers timely insight into timeless truths. Perspective transforms sadness into joy and calls sinners to sainthood. Perspective shatters despair and replaces it with hope. Perspective is what keeps the modern Christian going while others shake their heads in disbelief.
...the modern world cannot stand what it cannot explain or control. For Christ to “survive” this modern culture we need only look (as C.S. Lewis put it) at “the problem of pain”, because it is in suffering that true Christianity is tested, revealed and refined. No matter how self-directed or morally relative people become, suffering acts as the great equalizer, insuring that Christ and His gospel message will never be rendered completely “irrelevant” by an irreverent age.
So why is Jesus so “irreconcilable” in this modern culture? Put simply, the modern world cannot stand what it cannot explain or control. Modern culture cannot fathom how it can put a probe onto Mars, clone animals in labs and cure the intimacy problems of 80-year olds, but not “solve” the problem of suffering. Sure, we can counsel it, medicate it, run from it or try to ignore it, but in the end none of those remedies or distractions act as solutions to the purpose of suffering. Suffering only makes sense in Christ; divorced from Jesus, suffering lacks any purpose.
The statue of the Pieta might reside in Rome, but the original pieta was seen beside a manger, as a woman covered in both blood and water held her Son, the Savior, for the first time. The crucifixion accounts tell us that as Christ’s physical suffering came to a close both blood and water flowed (Jn 19:34). At both times, blood and water flowed as suffering gave way to life. That reality exposes the modern “dilemma” with Jesus: most want blood “or” water, not both. But both are from God, and in that preposition, is a proposition from God.
Some people want the “water” of baptism, they want to be included in the family, but not the “blood”, the sufferings that come with bearing that family name. Others want the sacrificial blood of forgiveness, but not the baptismal water of change. But if you take one without the other, perspective is lost. One month ago, as blood and water signaled the birth of our second daughter I was reminded that you cannot separate joy from suffering: they necessitate one another. To experience true joy in the busy-ness of modern life, you must look upon God as the author of all life, including “your life”. Hamlet cannot tell Shakespeare what to write. Why, then, do we feel the right to tell God what to script for our lives? The sooner that the characters within the story recognize Who the author truly is, the sooner our own suffering will make sense.
Suffering doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love you (James 1:2-6). In every bit of suffering there is an opportunity to step out of myself, reach out to others and call out to God. As characters in history (His story), we must stop running through our walk with Christ, and begin running to God in times of trial, rather than away. The question is not whether or not Jesus can survive this modern culture it’s whether or not a person can…without Him.
The next time you stare into space looking for heaven, reconcile this modern reality: the only reason to take this life too seriously is if it’s your only one. Time flies, eternity waits.
- Mark Hart (a.k.a. the Bible Geek)
December 25th, 2005
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Teen Testimonies
"Jesus Christ can not be briefly explained with human speech. Because when you
feel his Light, Love, and Presence, you'll feel complete and be at a loss for
words. His very nature is so awesome and great that sometimes I cry after I
pray, and I say: Thank you, Lord, for coming into my life, dying for me,
forgiving me, and loving me."
Erin, 15, New Jersey
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