Back in April of this year Elizabeth Vargas gave her expose' of what they called this "dangerous subculture" known as Independent Fundamental Baptists. The term subculture struck me as I meditate considerably on the issues of Christianity and culture. It does not seem to me that Christianity ought to fit into the realm of the culture in which it finds itself but it ought to create its own culture. Missionaries are quick to tell me that what I believe to be Christian culture is not but merely American Christian culture.
But the term subculture sounded shocking to me. Almost underground. Include independent Baptists in with the subcultures of
• Marijuana smoking free sexers
• Underground poet societies
• Goth
• Punk, etc.
But even more unnerving to me is the connotation that our "subculture" is somehow beneath what is the true culture of America.
This week I heard a man refer to the Ana Baptists not as a subculture but as a counter culture in their day. That speaks volumes to me. That is Biblical Christianity.
• It is not blended into the culture it finds itself
• It is not under and somehow subservient to the surrounding culture
Christianity is supposed to run counter to the culture in which it is found. It is to oppose, to check and to resist the cultures of this world.
Matthew 5:13-16 KJV
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Christian faith is not supposed to be a sub culture it is supposed to be another culture, a different culture. And that is perhaps our biggest problem today. We appear to be too much like a light under a bushel, we are there, we have light, but it is muffled under the basket of cultural worldliness.
Only when we become counter to the culture will we truly be a light on a hill.
But the term subculture sounded shocking to me. Almost underground. Include independent Baptists in with the subcultures of
• Marijuana smoking free sexers
• Underground poet societies
• Goth
• Punk, etc.
This week I heard a man refer to the Ana Baptists not as a subculture but as a counter culture in their day. That speaks volumes to me. That is Biblical Christianity.
• It is not blended into the culture it finds itself
• It is not under and somehow subservient to the surrounding culture
Christianity is supposed to run counter to the culture in which it is found. It is to oppose, to check and to resist the cultures of this world.
Matthew 5:13-16 KJV
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Christian faith is not supposed to be a sub culture it is supposed to be another culture, a different culture. And that is perhaps our biggest problem today. We appear to be too much like a light under a bushel, we are there, we have light, but it is muffled under the basket of cultural worldliness.
Only when we become counter to the culture will we truly be a light on a hill.
