The School Crossing

Have you ever felt run-over by a Christian? Have you ever felt as though, while trying to grasp a theological topic, you were bashed or shut down harshly by someone who has claimed to be "Christian"? I know that I have. The analogy I wish to draw this week has to do with the pedestrian crossing sign, specifically those seen in school zones. 

School zones and pedestrian warning signs are designed to protect those trying to cross a street. They might be going at a slower pace than those in the cars, but their lives are equally valuable, even more so because of their vulnerable condition without a metal cage on wheels protecting them. The children crossing the road are depicted on the sign to specify that the area has a special purpose. It is right to slow down in these areas to respect the children and the teachers. I think we can all agree on that. 

Now, how this relates to Christianity and Culture is a bit more of a stretch. I wish to point out how some times, Christians do not respect the faith of their younger or newer brothers and sisters. As the new Christian or non-believer is stepping out to answer or ask a question, many times they are run over because a Christian thinks they know the best answer. I would submit that sometimes, even though one might truly believe they have the best way or answer, one must slow down and let the other discover the answer. Experiential learning is the best kind of learning. Running people over because they are "slower," younger," or "unprotected" is absolutely wrong. Just as you would slow down for a pedestrian crossing or a school zone, sometimes we must slow down for the discovery of an answer or question to come from somewhere else. 

A Two Way Street

The first way that I wish to present culture is as a two way street. As in the picture, we see that the lanes are going different directions, exactly opposite of each other. I would like to submit that this happens between Christianity and Culture. Let’s look at how Paul deals with the situation in Ephesians:

 

“For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a man is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:5-10

             In the context of this passage, we see Paul rebuking and correcting believers because they were not living as though they were changed people. The culture around them was leading them in a different direction than that of Christ. I hold to the conviction that there are some things in this life we as Christians should abstain from because of the life that we now lead. Christ’s message was a sacred and holy blend of love and truth. I believe that most of the time, one is thrown out for the other. We LOVE the sinner to the point of ignoring the sin. I do not wish to sound harsh or rule abiding, but I do believe that God calls us to help people out of these things as He leads us. People in our generation are highly tolerant of sin because we are highly tolerant of other versions of the truth. Our culture’s truth is that people who don’t party, drink excessively and illegally, smoke anything, blow off their parents, or have pre-marital sex are missing out on the “fun” of life. This speaks very loudly in our ears all the time through the noise that we are constantly bombarded with through television, Internet sites, magazines, song lyrics, and movies. I believe in some ways we are as tolerant of the same inherently human problems as some of the first century church was. I am terrified that we are ignoring the sin in our world because we just want to love everyone. We can’t love them if we see them doing wrong and allow it to go on. Some things are a two-way street and we would do well to remember that and in love, as God calls us to, help people and ourselves keep our nose pointing in the “light” direction.