Counter Cultural Christianity

Each Friday night at EPIC we spend a good chunck of time looking at God's Word - reading it, listening to a talk from it and discussing it in D-Groups (small discussion groups). This term at EPIC we have been looking at the topic of Counter Cultural Christianity as we study the Gospel of Matthew. It's amazing just how unique and distinct the teachings of Jesus are when compared to the thoughts, values and priorities of our own culture.

Here are some of the more counter cultural ideas we have come across while studying Matthew's Gospel this term:
*  People in our society almost always view hardship, suffering and opposition as a negative, yet Jesus said, "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you because of me." (Matthew 5:11)

* Our society generally embraces the concept of revenge and some Fathers teach their sons to "hit first and hit hard", yet Jesus said, "Love your enmeies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

* In our culture people love things. They chase after things. They try to amass things. They worship things. These things may be properties, cars, shares, DVD collections, Playstaion or X-Box games or the very latest gadgets and gizmos. But Jesus said, "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth..." (Matthew 6:19)

* There are many in our society that view biblical teaching as outdated, old-fashioned and restrictive. They instead seek different wisdom to base their lives upon, often coming to their own conclusions about how life is best lived. Yet Jesus said, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who builds his house on the rock." (Matthew 7:24).

At EPIC this term we have seen how it can be very dangerous for Christians to just 'go with the flow' and follow the thoughts, values and priorities of own own culture. We have seen how, as Christians who follow Jesus, it is often necessary to swim against the current of our own culture. As we do that we need to pray for God's strength and resources to help us, and we should look to continually encourage and support one another.

Adam