The Image is Everything

Philippians 4:8-9

God and the Media - Week 2

Richard Niebuhr – Christ and Culture (1951)

Culture is the "artificial, secondary environment" which man superimposes on the natural. It comprises language, habits, ideas, beliefs, customs, social organization, inherited artifacts, technical processes, and values.

There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.  Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat.  C.S. Lewis

5 ways Christians can relate to the culture:

1. Christ ______________ Culture

Presents a radical “either/or” choice for the Christian

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death…For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way… Hebrews 2:14; 17

2. Christ ______________ Culture

Jesus is the highest fulfillment of culture

3. Christ ______________ Culture

Christians are both in and beyond the world at the same time

4. Christ and Culture are in ________________

Both claim a loyalty on the Christian that cannot be reconciled

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Romans 13:1

5. Christ the _________________ of Culture

The culture can be converted by God’s grace working through the Christian

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2a

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

This is a list of ______________________ virtues.

We Weren’t Born to Follow – Bon Jovi

Main message – Life is about _________________

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15

We must never be “less good” than those who make no claim to be Christian.  Maxie Dunnam

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. Philippians 4:9

Magnificent – U2

Main message – Life is about _____________________

Homework:  What tools do I use to distinguish the media content that I keep and that which I let go?