Debbie Taylor Williams: When Culture and Faith Intersect

“Don’t rock the boat.” “Be seen, not heard.” Do you agree or disagree in regard to sharing your Christian beliefs and speaking up for our faith?

Keith and I recently returned from Washington D.C. where we attended the International Culture Shapers Summit. Leaders in business, government, media, arts and entertainment, family, education, and religion addressed our group of 350 who gathered from eight nations and across the United States.  Tony Perkins, Steve Green, Roma Downey, Os Hillman, Lance Wallnau, Del Tackett, A.R. Bernard, Ken Blackwell, Hugh Hewitt, and James Kramer were but the tip of the 50 top culture leaders who spoke. Their position? Christians are to influence our world for Christ. Christ meant it when He taught us to pray, “Thy kingdom come on earth…” (Matthew 6:10)

What If Christians Acted

Acknowledging that our culture is shaped by whoever is at the top of the spheres of influence in business, government, media, arts and entertainment, family, education, and religion, the summit leaders analyzed and assessed the state of affairs in our nation. They presented the fact that Christians are the single largest social demographic on the planet and asked, “What if we operated like it?”

Preach the Gospel at all times. Use Words if Necessary.

Culture shapers take Jesus’s final words in Matthew 28:19-20, His Great Commission, to heart; that we are to make disciples. Jesus said we are to disciple all the nations of the world. Yet, many of us are silent out of fear of what family, friends, denominations, or politicians will say. The world tells us to live and let be; that to teach Christ’s teachings is hate speech. Rather than Christians obeying Jesus and proclaiming His words, too often many adopt a lifestyle based on a false quote attributed to St. Francis of Assisi:  “Preach the Gospel at all times. Use words if necessary.” St. Francis never said those words. Glenn T. Stanton, in The Gospel Coalition article, “FactChecker: Misquoting Francis of Assisi,” writes, “Our good Francis never said such a thing. None of his disciples, early or later biographers have these words coming from his mouth. It doesn’t show up in any of his writings.” Yet, how many Christians live by a false quote  rather than a divine one; that we are to be Christ’s witnesses? (Acts 1:8)

Words to Live By

Our nation and world are more connected now than at any other time. The opportunity for us to speak and teach is at an all time high whether we send an encouraging Bible verse through an email or share a Christian devotional on social media. But the enemy is a silencer. Jesus said Christianity is for all the nations. The enemy says keep your religion to yourself. Jesus says the truth sets people free. It’s no wonder Satan doesn’t want Christians to open their mouths.

What Is the Christian Teaching

What is the Christian message? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) Forgiveness. Reconciliation. Grace. Hope.

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SOURCE: Christian Post, Debbie Taylor Williams