Journal Entry

I find it interesting. To talk, on a blog such as this one about Christ primarily, is to alienate most of the population. Especially if you are serious about your faith. There are those who would, for the sake of "winning the lost" tone it down a bit i.e: speak more culturally relevant stuff. Christian music has this approach. The shift happened in the 80's where the overt Christian message was substituted for situational moralism. Or just plain moral relativism based on the individual's current dilemma and how the answer given might apply to its resolution. Christ is no longer the answer - or at least the only answer. So-called "Christian" bands are no longer as clear as they once were. In fact for the most part the popular bands write in ways that most have little idea that what they are writing from is Christian at all. We and they (non-believers) deal with similar issues. The world identifies but there are no clear answers from those who know. As I read the Bible I see that Christ dealt in antithesis and absolutes. So are we going to remain "safe" for the fear of not wanting to offend? But this is not the biggest threat. The biggest threat is the lie that we must approach the command to share Christ to a lost and dying world in a way that makes the gospel more palatable to those who would otherwise never choose Christ. I frankly do not understand how one way is less offensive than the other in presenting the gospel in all its glorious wonderment. The first way will offend and there is no other way getting around it. As the scriptures declare: those who are perishing the truth is repulsive; but to those who are being saved it is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who believes. In other words there are two kinds of people. There has been and there ever will be! But the way the musicians of today devise this "inoffensive" approach to the gospel is more offensive than stating one's beliefs plainly and without riddles. For it continues to breed what the world already embraces: Cultural and personal relativism. "That's how you apply it, good for you! But I apply it in this way..." What, in the majority of the "Christian" messages today, might stop this kind of wrong thinking? Speaking the truth and absolutes and antithesis back into the culture. Yes there is a right way and a wrong way. Jesus said, "I am the way the truth and the light, no man comes to the Father except through me." I also see that this "new" approach to sharing the "gospel" through moralistic situationalism finding its basis in Arminian/liberalistic thought/philosophy or existentialism in its many forms. Why? Simply because the imperative that we must do something to get people to choose Jesus is there. You get people to feel good then perhaps you might convince them to accept Christ, whereas if you are a bit more overt and direct they would have nothing to do with you or Christ. Ignored is the fact that it is Christ who draws men and women to Himself and that the Holy Spirit is the one who convicts people of sin in the first place. Sin is wrong action towards God and we have no power of turning people around to choose what they are incapable of choosing on their own volition.

-Joe