Change

Randy Harris a Bible Professor at Abilene Christian University recently spoke about reaching the lost and used Jesus as the example of how to reach out in a changing culture of today.

He wrote: First of all we must go where the lost are or in other words, Be There.
Second, be a good listener, really trying to understand others, Be Open.
Third, we have to keep re-understanding the Bible as it applies to changing culture, Be Relevant. And fourth, dare not let what the generations wants determine what our message will be, Be Faithful.

Today people are not much rejecting Jesus Christ as they are Christianity.

My earlier generation had most things worked out and every interpretation was “gospel.” Along came the Boomers and they shook it up. They were moderns. Reason was still powerful with them. Now we have an oncoming culture that plays down reason. I still believe the different cultures and generations have much to learn from each other.

But are there convictions that cannot change to court the oncoming generation? Did Jesus say anything that is not open to negotiation? Are there principles that if surrendered, we no longer have the good news? Is there anything that if we surrender it, we are not only surrendering “Christianity” but also Jesus Christ? Is there anything that if we stand for it may not attract unbelievers, but we must stand for them regardless of the consequences?

As we seriously search to show the relevance of the message of Jesus to any time or place remember that what a generation appears to be in youth may change as it matures.

There will always be all kinds of people in any given culture.