God, History, Culture --- Psalm 33

“…The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD”. (v5)

Well, we all know that’s not true, or is it?

What exactly is God’s role in history or culture today? Better yet, what is our role as Christians in culture, as it shapes history?

"Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage. "(v12)

Is that strictly a reference to Israel, the chosen people, or is it transferable to the “new” Israel?

In the most recent weekly e-mail version of Christianity Today, the editor writes an article entitled “On Not Transforming Culture: We have better and harder things to do than that” http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/augustweb-only/132-42.0.html . His position is Christians are not called to transform culture/the world. It’s a great read and a challenging perspective.

In the “I AM’ sayings of Jesus, as far as I can determine, the only one that is applied to the disciples is light – Jesus said “I AM the light of the world”; he also said to his disciples “you are the light of the world”. He also tells them they “are the salt of the earth”, but he never says of himself “I AM the salt of the earth”. Now you may not find that interesting, but I do.

Light illuminates and exposes, salt seasons and preserves. I’ve delivered numerous sermons and heard many on those two passages. The question is, to what degree should we expect our role as “light” and “salt” to influence culture?

Maybe we are not called to transform culture. Perhaps our role is simply to touch the life of our neighbor or friend. Then let him touch the life of his neighbor or friend. Then let him touch the life of his neighbor or friend. Before long…Oops, what do you know….!

Truly the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, to deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (vs. 18-19)

Father, our world, our culture, our very neighborhoods are dying. They are starving for meaning and hope, for love and understanding. I know the hope they so desperately long for. Now can I be faithful in making it known to them. May it be.