We often talk about the encroachment & power of the Culture of the post-Christian Society we live in. What we mean is that the behaviour, norms, beliefs, moral values & practices – the Culture which underpins, sets & creates the general outlook, lifestyle & aspirations of the people who live together in the UK, & Western world – the Society we live in, are united largely in their outlook on the world. Culture influences how people think & view the world, what is right & what is wrong in it – Society pressures people to conform to the dominant Culture & thus Culture shapes Society while Society forces those with a different view to conform to the prevailing Culture.
I am calling the Culture that is dominant in our nation today – Dark Culture. The reason being that it is largely: i. antichrist (Rejects Christ as Saviour & its rightful Lord), ii. Pluralist (there are more than one source of authority – the Bible is one among sources of authority), iii. Rationalist (the view that reason, science & knowledge are the fundamental truths of Society rather than religious theology, belief or morals), iv. Materialist (material possessions & physical comfort are more important than spiritual values), v. Evolutionary (Survival is a matter of chance & the biblical Creation narratives are false) & vi. Nihilist (we will all die anyhow so religious & moral certainties are meaningless).
It is easy to see how our modern, post-Christian Dark Culture is reshaping Society away from the Christian certainties which once were the basis for it. At the heart of the Society in this nation, until the 1950s, created by a biblical, Christian-Judeo Culture, was fairness, a Christian moral base, & ethics derived from Christianity. Instead today’s Dark Culture is creating a more fluid, open to ungodly influence, Satanic & antichrist Society which in turn means that Society at large is forcing these views upon the Christians who reject such an outlook. It is becoming increasing difficult to openly disagree with the prevailing Dark Culture because our Society is becoming increasingly intolerant of anyone who opposes its prevailing Cultural identity. Instead of a more free, open, just & tolerant Society, as is claimed – we see arising a more fearful, closed, unjust & intolerant Society.
How can we understand this state of affairs? I think there are three things: 1. Recognise how the post-Christian Dark Culture is reshaping Society which in turn is imposing its Dark Culture on those who do not conform to its worldly outlook. 2. Understand the six basic building blocks of the post-Christian Dark Culture I mentioned above & how these are driving the change in our nation. 3. See it in terms of rebellion against God’s Word, Ways & Will. It is no accident that these six elements are coming together at this time in our Society. At the heart of each is a rejection of the biblical truth about sin, sinful human nature, the power of the world’s Culture, & Satan’s dark power to rob, kill & destroy. By embracing this Dark Culture, Society is embracing everything that leads to the robbing of God’s blessing & favour from it, spiritual death, & the ultimate destruction of that Society itself as it openly opposes Christ.
How do we reframe our Culture & thus renew Society in a Christ-honouring way? As Christians I believe we need to become much more Kingdom of God minded. As we develop our understanding of the Kingdom, learn more about being citizens of His Kingdom, & transfer our loyalty to the King of the Kingdom – we have a profound influence on others. As Christ’s light shines through His Kingdom minded people, that light exposes the darkness & the darkness cannot overcome it. It is only Christ’s light shining through our words, actions, attitudes & spirituality that has the power to transform our Society. May God empower us to be Kingdom people living out the principles & power of the Kingdom in our everyday lives enabling us to overcome the Dark Culture & replacing it with a biblical Culture which honours Christ, brings His Moral base to Society & fills our Society with His love & saving grace. In Jesus’ name. Amen
Many blessings
Pastor Leslie
