March 8, 2010

Responding to Controversial Issues with Biblical Truth

The issues gripping our world today, inside and outside of the church, have a lot to do with how people think, don’t think, or how thinking has changed. We have a problem, and it’s a gaining ground at an alarming rate.

Here are some alarming statistics that bring the problem into focus:

  • Every day 1,000 unwed teens become pregnant
  • 500 adolescents will begin using drugs
  • 135,000 teenagers will kill or carry a weapon to school
  • 6 youths will commit suicide

These things happen in our country every 24 hours. Talk about a widespread problem – this isn’t every YEAR or every month or even every week – it’s every DAY.

Some may see this as a problem with youth but it’s not. These symptoms emerge in our youth but are a function of a much deeper, insidious problem that’s undermining the moral foundation of our country. The issues are based in ethics and values. Values are core beliefs or desires that motivate actions.

The question is this: what do you really believe? It’s a question that’s become more difficult to answer as our society rejects the existence of right and wrong and replaces the concept with relative truth and subjective morality, i.e. tolerance.

The prevailing attitude of tolerance is reshaping the makeup of the body of Christ.

I’d argue that in the last ten years a key driver of the decline of the church in the United States correlates with a decline in the ability (or willingness) of Christians to speak and live the truth about tough – and often controversial – issues.  I’m talking about more than the friendly, “comfortable” parts of Christianity. What I’m talking about is our ability to respond Biblically to some of the most challenging issues out there. Issues like abortion, sex, evolution, politics, feminism, homosexuality and the environment.

As foundational Christian values lose their voice in our society, two very real consequences emerge:

1. The evil one is gaining ground at a dangerous rate. Even worse, a Godly perspective is frequently misconstrued and vilified to the point that it creates a very real barrier that keeps people from seeking the Lord.

2. The next generation of believers aren’t able articulate a Biblical response to difficult issues because they’ve never learned how. There are two components to this – actually understanding God’s will about these issues and learning how to respond truthfully in a simple, yet direct way.

Our current radio series “Think (formerly known as Let My People Think)” is designed to encourage every day Christians to take a deeper look at the Biblical response to these issues in a way that focuses on bringing light and clear thinking, not emotional heat and hate to controversial issues. In the process, you’ll gain confidence as you understand God’s perspective and learn how to respond in a way that accurately (and lovingly) communicates your values as a follower of Jesus.

Keep Pressin’ On,

Chip

Chip Ingram on March 8, 2010 | Filed Under Uncategorized

11 Comments

Lorinda   on March 9th, 2010

You’re so right about not being able to articulate a biblical response to issues. I am from a family of intellectuals which makes it even more difficult to have any kind of leg to stand on whenever these issues crop up. I therefore never even engage people which surely can’t be right?

rsb   on March 9th, 2010

Kids lack the guidance of their parents whose worlds are also caught in the grip of uncertainty. In the parents’ never ending quest to seek out a better material life, have left their kids behind. So don’t blame the younger generation for their ineptitude, instead look at those who have failed to guide today’s youth. Two generations back still had the Christian, moral values that made this Country great and the revolt of the generation that followed (the 60′s and 70′s) to break free of this control is one of the main contributors to our present day woes.
As we all seek to sell more, to gain more wealth, all to promote the concept of a better life (such as all the things you are trying to sell on your website to promote your view of the “Word of Christ”), we have forgotten the core values of Christianity. It is not about building bigger Churches which huge congregations since this leads to one of the biggest money making machines that eventually puts Christ and God in the background. It is more about the passing on of Our Lord’s values from generation to generation by leading through example.

Barbara   on March 9th, 2010

Chip – Wow, how true you are and Praise God you and several other bold pastors are bringing this out in front of the body of Christ. Since gaining freedom through Jesus Christ’s shed blood, and His teachings which are my tools to live life free of addiction. I have come to undertand that keeping my feet upon the path He’s set before clear of worldly things. I do have control of this (tv, movies, books, music). I made a covenant to Jesus to serve Him everyday through been poured out in whatever way He sees fit; Less of the world and more of Him, through – Bible reading, prayer, medititation and staying highly accountable with other mature Christians women. Attending church weekly, serve weekly, leading a small group (mentoring those who are a few steps behind me in my walk) and participate in a small group! I take seriously what His words says about living my life as a follower and lover of Jesus Christ. He is the foundation of my life all the time; at home at work and at play. I know first hand that the battle rages on between the forces of evil and Christ follower (me) in this case. As I’ve been in the fight now for almost 7 years fighting from Victory! I’ve discover the more I grow in Gods wisdom and allow His strength to be my strength the evil around me presses in even harder. Thank you for boldly teaching the word of God – I appreciate you and your passion.

All in Jesus Name Ministries   on March 9th, 2010

I very much agree with this! I recently wrote a post on our ministry blog concerning the remark (even within the church) that “You can not legislate morality”. If we as the church of Christ are unwilling to stand up for God’s principles then how can we complain about what is going on in society, our nation, and the world today?
Blessings Chip

Lois Jones   on March 9th, 2010

My question is how and when to address these issues in a somewhat hostile university setting if the person is a staff person, particularly if the person’s skills don’t include good oral communication or spontaneity with answers (often I think much later what I would like to have said or done or for someone else to have said/done, but don’t quite know how to articulate the issues in a timely fashion)…

melman   on March 9th, 2010

Last Sunday our minister spoke on the repeated command found in scripture: ‘Fret not.’ His message was that our responses need to be based on the sure knowledge that God is the one who does the work, that He is able, and that we need to prepare to follow Him with praise and prayer. Fasting for a person without a Christian worldview can have dramatic results. Even if I feel unable to discuss an issue, whether because I am afraid or because the other person won’t let me get a word in edgewise, I remember that my best way is prayer and to let God be God.

rj   on March 11th, 2010

I think your list is incomplete. DIVORCE should be at the top of the list. I find though that the Christian community is refusing to condemn this sin because it is so prevalent in our Christian community. Let’s take the log out of our own eyes before looking at the speck in another’s. Our acceptance of divorce was the beginning of the slide of our Christian credibility. All sin is the same at the foot of the Cross. Let’s not elevate a few that are politically expedient for politics.

kenny   on March 17th, 2010

I UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN THINK ITS ALRIGHT TO
BE A DEMOCRAT OR REPUBLICAN OR WHATEVER BUT STILL
BE A CHRISTIAN, WHEN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PLATFORM, IS ANTI CHRISTIAN,SUPPORTS GAY MARRIAGE
BELIEVES IN ABORTION ON DEMAND,WHICH IS CONTRARY
TO WHAT THE BIBLE TEACHES,WE ARE CALLED TO BE THE
LIGHT IN A DARK WORLD, I TOTALLY DISAGEEE WITH YOU

Lorrie   on March 18th, 2010

I just finished listening to part 1 on homosexuality in the “Let my People Think” series. As usual I am truly grateful for the people that share their God given talents to teach Gods principles in love and truth. This broadcast particularly reminded me of a saying that I heard (I don’t remember the author but it wasn’t me :) ) “Truth without love is brutality and love without truth is hypocrisy”. May we all live by that through the help of God’s spirit within us.

Joe   on March 30th, 2010

Being one of the few bible believing people who live around me and in my family, it gives me comfort to hear and read these types of messages. The word and the evil one, they are so crafty. Sometimes he even uses people I love to try and shake my faith. This was a great renforcement. Being strong in CHRIST is not always easy, but I know he is always there. That means I have his guidance if I’m in his will. That means even the hard and unpopular parts. Glory be to GOD and not me.

GE   on March 31st, 2010

It seems to what I am seeing more today is that we’re trying to compare one type of sin to another. Of course, biblically we know that any sin is falling short of what God requires of us. The important thing is that we look in our ‘own’ hearts and come before God and seek a ‘new’ clear heart. I’ve come thru a divorce and while I don’t know if the church ‘glossed’ over it I do feel thru God’s grace and love that I have been forgiven.