CYPRESSWOOD CHURCH OF CHRIST

February 27, 2005

CONTINUE TO PETITION GOD FOR:

Our congregation David and Leon in the Navy

Our college students Our nation, military and leaders

Various friends, relatives and co-workers

SECULAR AND SACRED

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does” (2 Corinthians 10:3).

We live in a society with two distinctive ideas or worldviews and in a world with yet another. These ideas or worldviews compete, or in what Samuel Huntington has called the clash of civilizations. This clash is seen in every area of our society, both secular and sacred. It effects all of us in a variety of ways. And one thing that many do not realize is that it is religious in nature. Let’s look at the three major worldviews we are faced with today.

The firs is the Judeo-Christian worldview. I say this because it is based on our scripture, the Old and New Testaments. Our worldview appeals to these scriptures to look at life. We look at various aspects of society through this lens. Our nation was founded with the ideas and ideals of scripture, so many share in this worldview. We want to be like Christ in our lives, to have the mind of Christ in humility and service (Philippians 2:1-8). We realize though that much of secular society has affected us in ways that we do not like. As such some think that one can live as a Christian on Sunday, and on Monday live another was at work and still another at play. This compartmentalization f life has blinded some to the idea that as Christians we are to bring our faith into all areas; work, play, home, etc. Of course, such an attitude will justify activities that are sinful as matters of personal choice. For instance, “I am personally opposed to abortion but because it is the law of the land I must support it;” a popular political approach to a divisive issue.

The Christian worldview looks at society through the eyes of God in Christ. As such we have difficulty with a number of things. We see life as created in the image of god and highly valued. Hence we argue against abortion, euthanasia, and demand ethical standards in all fields. Life is important. We seek what is best for others and are willing to risk our lives to help and improve others. Whether it is tsunami relief or freeing a country from the tyranny of evil, we want to help others. Some do not want or appreciate that help; so be it. But our values move us to do so. This worldview is a selfless view following the example of Jesus and the love of God. While we are not perfect at it, we strive to be more like Him in all areas.

The second worldview is that of Islam. Islam is a religion that seeks to dominate a society. Its rules and regulations demand complete obedience, no questions ask. Its laws are extreme. Women have no voice and no part in public. They find that any who do not accept Islam are infidels and are worthy of slavery or death. He sword has often been used to spread Islam and that spread has been stopped in place by the sword. It is a religion of fate, or Allah’s will. It is a religion of contradictions. It talks about high ideals yet abuse many. It is unforgiving. Leaders encourage young people to die for the cause promising eternal happiness. Islamic terrorist will get drunk and sleep around before they commit acts of suicide in the name of Allah. It is a worldview that has a low respect for life. Greed among rich leaders is seen while many ordinary citizens struggle in poverty.

There are some in Islam who disagree with the above in that they consider Islam a religion of peace. Especially in the United States, many who practice Islam want nothing to do with the extreme elements of their religion. But lying to the infidel is also a practice of Islam and so deception is one of many ideas that surface. It is conservative in a number of areas concerning life among themselves. They would oppose abortion for instance. Its religious book, the Koran, has been accepted without question, yet there are many questions concerning it that need to be discussed. God is viewed as an unmerciful tyrant. While we do not come in contact with many in this country, it is obvious that Islamic influences are affecting many areas of the world, from the Middle East to Europe and Asia. How should we approach Muslims? We need to show them that our God is one of love, who seeks what is best for others. We need to learn more of their beliefs to better understand and approach them. Mission work in Muslim areas has been very difficult because of the restrictions, if not the direct hostility to others religions. With the war on terror, hopefully this will change, for they will see Christianity in a different light.

The third worldview is that of secularism. Secularism is a religion with no God but with laws and tenets to follow. It is seen in Western Europe where it is the dominant. Here in the United states it is a minority view yet because of those who hold it, it has major influences. It is found in the media including Hollywood, among lawyers and judges (just consider the ACLU), on college campuses, and in politics. All these areas push secularism on America. Its beliefs include abortion, euthanasia, environmentalism, and the anything goes philosophy. It tells us it is for tolerance, as long as no one disagrees with its views. It sees truth as relative, that is, no one can know the truth. It considers the Western view of things, especially the Judeo-Christian ethic as wrong, even evil, while accepting and supporting various philosophies such as communism and socialism. If the secularist could control things, they would run the nation like seen in George Orwell’s Animal Farm. One of the animals says that all are equal, but some are more equal than others.

They have a low view of life. Abortion has become a major plank in their philosophy so much so that they oppose the idea of sonograms for women entering clinics. Medical advances over the past thirty years has shown that the womb indeed carries a living child, not a blob. Yet secularists refuse to see this. Hey are a culture of death. This is seen in an interesting area, the movies. Up for an Academy Award for best picture this year is a movie about abortion and another for one that ends in euthanasia. Not up for it is The Passion of the Christ, Mel Gibson’s movie on the death of Jesus. Michael Meddled, a practicing Jew, radio talk show host, and movie critic, sees this as part of the cultural war of worldviews. This conflict can be seen in many other areas. Hatcher Jewish radio host, Dennis Pager, made mention of one person writing that his party didn’t win elections but won in the courts. He courts are battle grounds for the secular sacred conflict.

How should we approach the secularist/ Again, we respond not with evil but with good (Romans 12:19-21). We want to seek what is best for others even if they do not respond in kind. We need to understand the views and the philosophies behind the secularism we see today. Being kind and patient is a key in dealing with the difficulties we face. Using labels and other derogatory terms doesn’t help. We need to pray for our nation as well. This is a very brief approach to these worldviews. I would encourage all of us to keep alert to the ideas as they surface and to learn and approach them in a godly way.

George B. Mearns