Understanding the Culture-Ch.1 Test
List and briefly describe the five essential questions that comprise a worldview?
1. Origin-where we came from (what is the nature of reality, were we random chance, or created to bear God's image) 2. Identity-who are we (what is a human being, where id we come from) 3. Meaning-what is real and true, and how do we know (what is our purpose, why do we exist, do we have a purpose at all) 4. Morality-how should we live (who/what is our basis for morality) 5. Destiny-what happens next (what is the purpose of human history, what happens at death)
What factors caused Evangelicalism to splinter in the early twenty-first century?
1. There was a growing resistance to the way Christians were involved in the culture 2. less to do with a well-thought-out theological position than with a loss of enchantment among those in the rising generation 3. a rebranded reemergence of an old heresy called gnosticism
What does it mean to live a worthy life?
A worthy life is based on virtues as prudence, charity, hope, and faith. To live a virtuous life is to focus on core virtues that are truly worthy and live according to the gospel.
Dwight L. Moody
American evangelist who founded the Moody Bible Church
Jerry Falwell
American southern baptist pastor, televangelist, and conservative activist; condemned what he perceived as the sinfulness and godliness of contemporary society
Walter Rauschenbusch
American theologian and baptist pastor; fought against systematic injustices
How does the Biblical view of humanity differ from all other world views?
As Christians we want to care about what God cares about including other people. That humans specifically bear God's image and aren't mere playthings for the gods in the single biggest distinguishing characteristic between the Judeo-Christian conception of humanity and all others. We are distinct, valuable people.
What role do words play in a caring life?
As we speak the way God designed us to speak, we bear his image. We can live with wisdom and show ourselves to be worthy in a way that blesses other people. We can then prepare the ground in which the seeds of the gospel can grow.
What is the doctrine of imago Dei, how does the biblical understanding of human beings differ from that of any other worldview, and how should it affect our relationships with our neighbors?
God cares that we bear his image and in doing so we were created in his image to reflect and imitate him. We are distinct and inherently valuable people despite our differences. That we aren't mere playthings for the gods is the biggest distinguishing characteristic between the Judeo-Christian conception of humanity and all others. Since we were created in God's image, we are called to care for others because if God cares enough about people to impart his image to them, how could we justify caring any less? We are called to love others because God loves them and they were created in his image, therefore, making them inherently valuable beings like ourselves.
Should Christians care about culture?
God is glorified when we personally care for those around us. Scripture reminds us of this as our ability to serve in this way comes only through God's power and is only so that he may be glorified. (this is the central feature of God's plan) It is in and for his glory that we are called and equipped for great things. We were created as image-bearers to serve as stewards of his creation.
Why is a focus on God's glory central to the Christian worldview?
God's glory is central to our worldview being that his glory is so immense that all of nature proclaims it. Jesus Christ, according to scripture, is the glory of God because he made redemption possible. It is in and for his glory that Jesus calls us and equips us. If we take God's glory out of our worldview, then it takes away the whole point of what it means to worship our creator.
If you had to go a week without any access to information technology or social media, how would your life be different?
I think that I would not only have a better sleep schedule, but i would also be a lot more diligent in my school work, have better priorities and actually accomplish them and be more productive in everyday life.
What is the overall purpose of this book?
If the primary identifying characteristic of Christians is pleasantness, then being nice ought to be the primary goal of our lives. Christian caring ought to be the very best kind of caring. It ought to unleash human ingenuity, point the way for people to be reconciled to God, restore people to a high capacity of bearing god's image, and bring glory to the creator. (life is more than raisin rugby)
What happened to the Fundamentalist movement?
It unraveled as a consequence of relentless attacks in culture, exhaustion, and infighting.
How did the New Evangelicals impact American culture?
Many seemed incapable of responding to culture trends like taking stance against the Roe vs Wade decision through the publication of the book "Slaughter of the Innocent." Jimmy Crater's approach to economic issues made things seems worse rather than better and those he put in power had liberal viewpoints.
What is metaphysics and what questions does it seeks to answer?
Metaphysics is the branch of philosophy that seeks to understand the nature of ultimate reality. The questions it seeks to answer are: origin-where did we come from, identity-who are we, meaning-what is real and true, and how do we know, morality-how should we live, and destiny-what happens next.
What is narcissism and how is it affecting our culture?
Narcissism is the love or obsession with oneself; selfishness; self-centeredness. It leads to vanity, materialism, uniqueness, antisocial behavior, relationship troubles, entitlement and self centered religion and volunteering.
Does being a citizen of heaven mean we shouldn't get involved in the things of this world?
No, however, Shane Claiborne believed that Jesus taught that his followers should not attempt to run the world. he says, "Christians are citizens of heaven alone" and "that we should have no allegiance to an earthly kingdom." "The best we can do is form an alternative, a community that's attractive enough to make people want to join us."
Is the command to love our neighbor strictly a New Testament concept or can it be found in the Old Testament?
No, it is also found in Leviticus 19 where it speaks on how we should love our neighbors because of who god is as well as in Jeremiah 29:7 where God said that the Israelites in captivity would have peace as they worked to secure this for those around them.
How is our status as image bearers of God related to our use of words?
Since we are called to imitate/reflect God as a result of being created in his image, we are called to love our others who were also created in his image despite our differences. Words can bring life or death as was stated in chapter 1. if we speak badly about/to someone we are no longer showing them love and therefore aren't reflecting Christ in our actions. We prepare the ground in which the seeds of the gospel can grow if we speaks words of life. Caring is at the very heart of what it means to live a Christian life and starts with how we treat others by the use of our words and actions.
Should Christians try to shape culture?
The cultural mandate calls Christians to embrace their responsibility to create and influence culture through their vocational calling. Because creation is good, culture is not to be despised. It should be celebrated and cultivated because it is part of God's design for humanity. Celebrate the goodness of culture and creation, but also recognize their fallenness. Take into account the effects of sin on creation, but also recognize God's desire to restore it by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and through the church's ministry. Yes. The Bible calls Christians to engage, redeem, and restore culture. This is at the very heart of the cultural mandate.
What is the third way suggested by this book between Secularism and Gnosticism?
The physical world is all there is and that the spiritual world is irrelevant, and the gnostic idea that the physical world is irrelevant because only the spiritual world is ultimately real.
How has technology enabled us to make better decisions?
The real genius of technology is its ability to extend power to those who, without it, would have no power at all. It has helped us focus on the push of certain economic ideas as well (exchange money, run businesses, deploy social media in revolt against undemocratic regimes.)
What factors led to the creation of the Fundamentalist movement?
The widespread concern that American Protestantism was becoming liberal led to the creation of the Fundamentalist movement. It was also due to the fact that these Christian organizations were being run by those who denied doctrines.
Who are the New Evangelicals?
They claimed a born-again experience, believed the Bible is true, and were involved in like-minded churches.
What factors determine if we go through life as givers or takers?
Whether we feed the taker and live miserable lives or cultivate the giver-learning to build, deposit, and grow. When it comes to facing difficult issues takers wilt quickly and slink away; givers take on challenges willingly. Takers tolerate people; givers shape them. Takers grow needier; givers become more generous. Takers fill their houses with junk; givers fill their houses with memories. With every action, we either feed or starve the two competing sides of our nature, the giver side or the taker side.
Shane Claiborne
a christian activist and author who is a leading figure in the New Monasticism movement; advocates for nonviolence and service to the poor
Social Gospel
a late eighteenth-century, early nineteenth-century postmillennial movement popular among liberal protestants that sought to eradicate social evils like poverty and racism in the belief that this would usher in the second coming of Christ
Moral Majority
a late twentieth-century political and religious movement founded by Jerry Falwell to further Christian ideals through conservative politics--namely, promoting laws that restrict abortion on demand and protect religious expression in public education
Evangelicalism
a mid-twentieth-century protestant movement that sees the essence of Christianity as the gospel: salvation comes by grace through faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ
Gnosticism*
a second-century heretical Christian movement that taught that the material world was created and maintained by a lesser divine being, that matter and the physical body are inherently evil, and that salvation can be obtained only through esoteric knowledge of divine reality and the self-denial of physical pleasures
Moralistic Therapeutic Deism*
a term coined by sociologist Christian Smith in reference to the shallow beliefs of many young Christians in the twenty-first century; the belief that God loves everyone and wants them to be happy
Fundamentalism
an early twentieth-century Protestant movement that sought to defend orthodox Christianity against the challenges of liberalism, modernism, and Darwinism by requiring strict adherence to a set of "fundamental" doctrines
Leviticus 19:9-15
appreciation of those who provide for others (an act of compassion, fruit of holiness, or justice)
Two-Kingdoms Theology*
based on an idea expressed by Martin Luther, two-kingdoms theology distinguishes between the kingdom of God (i.e., the church) and the kingdom of humanity (i.e., the state), contending that Christians should not promote their religious views outside the kingdom of God
Shalom*
from the Hebrew word for "peace, prosperity, and wellness"; a concept that implies harmony in creation and with one's neighbors as well as a right relationship with God
Johannes Gutenberg
german inventor, printer, publisher, and goldsmith who introduced the movable type printing press to Europe
What are the main things God cares about?
his glory, that we bear his image, and that we love our neighbors
Genesis 1:26-28
responsibility to care for nature in a way that is consistent with God's will
What are some issues over which Christians should leave their churches? What are some issues where disagreement doesn't necessarily call for breaking fellowship?
should: holiness fo God denied, divinity of Christ denied, truth of scriptures denied, justification of faith, authority of the Bible (major doctrines) should not: timing of the great tribulation, details about the Lord's supper, forms of church government (minor doctrines)
Which group do you most identify with: Fundamentalists, Liberals, New Evangelicals, or something else?
something else
Metaphysics
the branch of philosophy that seeks to understand the nature of ultimate reality
Worldview
the framework of ideas or beliefs through which an individual, group, or culture, interprets the world and interacts with it
Narcissism
the love of or obsession with oneself; selfishness; self-centeredness
Ecumenism
the push to foster unity among various Christian traditions that disagree on key doctrinal issues
What is the anthropic principle?
the theory that the universes contains all the necessary properties that make the existence of intelligent life inevitable
Imago Dei*
the well-known latin word for "image of God"
Matthew 22:37-40*
we are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbors as yourself
1 Corinthians 10:31
we should be motivated to bring glory to God in everything we do/choose not to do
What are some key things you will learn in this book?
~What culture is, how it's fashioned, and how Christians in the past have shaped our culture ~How to become a shaper of culture who thinks and speaks clearly and logically ~What biblical principles look like when applied to tough issues
What is involved in pursuing a life of wisdom?
~skill in a craft; technical expertise ~intelligence; shrewdness ~good sense; moral understanding ~understanding the fundamental issues of life We should pursue a life of wisdom even if it costs everything we have.