6. The influence of Christianity on culture and individual l

[jamesgrinchishin]

Christianity has arguably added more value to American culture than any other religion, philosophy, ideology or community. Yet, contemporary Americans are hard pressed to identify any specific value added.

In a period of history where image is reality, and life-changing decisions are made on the basis of such images, the Christian Church is in desperate need of a more positive and accessible image. The primary obstacle is not the substance of the principles on which Christianity is based. The most influential aspect of Christianity in America is how believers do -or do not- implement their faith in public and private.

It is people’s observations of the integration of a believer’s faith into how he/she responds to life’s opportunities and challenges that most substantially shape people’s impressions of and interest in Christianity.

In a society in which there are no absolutes, every individual is a free agent, we are taught to be self-reliant and independent, and Christianity is no longer the automatic, default faith of young adults, new ways of relating to Americans and exposing the heart and soul of the Christian faith are required.

Culture is shaped by people, and people are influenced by other people, either for good or for bad. I agree that the primary obstacle is “not the substance of the principles on which Christianity is based.” The problem is that those truths are not being taught.

It is not that we need “new ways of exposing the heart and soul of the Christian faith.” What we need to do is teach the heart and soul of Christianity, and that is JESUS CHRIST, the living truth, who is not a “God-man” or an “all God and all man” being with whom we cannot possibly identify, but a human being who perfectly trusted the same heavenly Father he encourages you and me to trust.

Only the Lord Jesus can really touch your heart to the degree that your love for him makes you a “slave” to him, and one who can articulate his faith such that others can believe. Let’s truth it!