Introducing “The Edge”
By Ed Lutz
“Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect…” (1 Peter 3:13-15).
Richard Niebuhr’s Christ and Culture is considered by some to be a “landmark work” in Christian ethics and reaching people with the gospel. In the book Niebuhr presents five views on how Christians interact with culture: (1) Christ against culture, (2) Christ of culture, (3) Christ above culture, (4) Christ and Culture in paradox, and (5) Christ the transformer of culture.
No doubt each of us has wrestled with how to be in the world but not of it. How to be salient in our conversations but separate in our conduct.
Welcome to “The Edge.” As a faith in culture blog of Highlands Church, our blog’s mission is to provide encouragement and tools for how we can live out the Christian faith in a world that desperately needs the gospel.
Thankfully in John 17, Jesus prays for his disciples – and for us – on this very issue. The Lord prays that we would have joy in a world that hates us because we are not of this world (vv. 13-16). And yet, rather than pull us out of the world, Jesus wants to keep us here, to live as lights in it for the sake of the gospel (1 John 2:15-16; Matthew 5:14).
When we encounter disturbing societal issues, how do we respond? Do we get defensive? Do we jump on social media? Enter an echo chamber? Get angry? Or does our heart break? Perhaps we construct walls to hide behind so we won't have to deal with the moral decline happening all around us.
We live at a time when something offends someone all the time, and like Niebuhr’s book, the opinions of our blog contributors may differ from your own. But know that we will always base them upon Scripture, for it is the word of God that is “and active, sharper than any two-EDGE-d sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). We will always strive to present a biblical worldview to real-life issues and point people toward the hope found in Jesus Christ.
Apologist Sean McDowell utilizes Ephesians 2:1-10 to frame his approach to tackling issues and worldly viewpoints not anchored in the gospel. First, McDowell begins with a premise that people are naturally dead in trespasses and sins (v. 1). They are in rebellion to God and live in a world’s system controlled by spiritual forces often blinding them to godly principles (vv. 2-3).
McDowell does not absolve people of responsibility for sinful choices or for adhering to views contrary to the Christian faith; rather, he simply acknowledges the world in which people live. And no amount of effort by natural men can save them, but it is through Christ that a dead and darkened heart becomes alive (vv. 4-7).
Ultimately, McDowell pivots his conversations with people by offering the gospel as the only hope of rescue from spiritual blindness (vv. 8-9) and the means to finding a life of purpose (v. 10). This approach is similar to what The Edge looks to do as we address relevant issues and offer tools to help us live on mission for Christ.
People are the mission, not the enemy. Love is the motivation, not anger. The gospel is the only hope, and Jesus our only Savior.
So, thanks for engaging with us! We hope you are encouraged along the way, prodded occasionally to think, and ultimately moved to engage productively and lovingly with those in your daily circle in order to bring the hope of Jesus to those who need Him.
About the Writer
Ed Lutz serves as the Equipping Pastor at Highlands Church. He is a graduate of Phoenix Seminary with a Doctorate of Ministry and has prior experience in the field of education. He and his wife, Susie have three children and six grandchildren, and a golden retriever labrador puppy named Kona.
Contact
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