Coronavirus and Revival | True Worldview Ep. 54

People are troubled. Some are fearful of the virus; others are fearful of their financial future; some are grieving over loved ones who have died; and others are grieving over the loss of liberty and some things that will never be the same. In times like this, Christians must keep their perspective: Christ is ultimate. They must think about what God could be doing. They must see the opportunity for gospel advance as they serve others in the name of Christ. And, among other things, they must think about and pray for revival.

What is Revival?

Revival begins in the churches. It’s the movement of God in the sanctification of believers and the conversion of false professors within her pale. It’s the strengthening of churches. Further, as the church is revived, they have an increasing influence in the larger culture. They get serious about evangelism, and unbelievers are saved. As believers spread the gospel, do their work as unto the Lord, engage in ethics, art, entertainment, and so many other cultural dynamics, a Christian worldview begins to take hold again. That’s the kind of revival we read about in the Great Awakenings. In the Welsh Revival of 1902 for example, judges wore white gloves to signify they had no more cases for the day.

How Does Revival Come?

Revival is a sovereign work of God. Jonathan Edwards wrote about the Surprising Work of God during the days of the “First Great Awakening.” The Lord Jesus’ told Nicodemus you can’t tell where the wind comes from or where it’s going; so it is with the Spirit of God (John 3). God is the one who withholds or brings revival. It doesn’t come through “the right use of means,” a phrase Charles Finney coined during the “Second Great Awakening.” He manipulated people into false decisions and changed the trajectory of evangelicalism from that time until this day. How many false professions have there been through the method of revivalism that in general made those professors twice as much the sons of Hell as before (Matt. 23:15), weakened God’s churches, and generally brought much division and misery to those same churches? No, revival is of the Lord (Jonah 2:9).

Prep for Revival

That doesn’t mean we have no need to do the work of preparation. There is little hope for harvest when there is no toiling in the garden. The soil of our culture is hard right now. Not only is hatred for Christ at an all time high, but the majority of people don’t even have a biblical understanding of God. There was a time in our nation when even unbelieves knew what you were talking about when you talked about God. Not so today. Americans have adopted their own eclectic brand of spirituality. Much work must be done to even have an intelligent conversation with many, particularly about God or ultimate things. God is sovereign, and indeed the fields are white unto harvest if He so ordains (Jn. 4:35). But we have to spread the gospel and couch everything in terms of a biblical worldview. We must engage our culture winsomely, create beneficial cultural goods in the Name of Christ, and defend the faith in different ways whether presenting evidence or dismantling the inconsistencies within a worldview opposed to Christ.

Coronavirus - Catalyst for Revival?

One wonders if God would use the Coronavirus imbroglio to bring about revival. When people are confronted with their own mortality; when things seem hopeless; when they feel helpless; when it actually dawns on them that things will never be the same; when they sense there should be something more; when they’re confronted with their sin; they’re prepared to hear the gospel. Even then, only God can open their hearts. Only God can bring revival, and He can do so without a prepared soil if He so chooses. And He may not choose to do so when the soil is prepared. But He may. And that’s what we long for.

So, is there anything we can do while we’re longing for revival? The answer is an unequivocal yes. We must pray. There is no revival apart from precipitous prayer. We can talk about it. And we can labor for it. Let’s make revival the topic on our hearts in these troubling days and beyond.

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Conversational Evangelism | True Worldview Ep. 38

Conversational Evangelism

Christians want to see the relevance of the gospel to their everyday lives, and they want to demonstrate that relevance to their friends and co-workers. Primarily, they want to share their faith and do so smoothly and effectively. Here’s a little help.

Current Event

First, choose an issue that’s current and interesting. It could be a news item, a trend in our culture, the recent half-time show, or whatever. Just find something of interest to the person with whom you’re talking.

Authority Source

Second, raise the issue of one's source of authority. When the guy you’re talking to gives you an opinion not rooted in Scripture, you want to ask him a simple question: why do you believe that? You should be wise and sensitive, but ask the “why” question. Most persons are their own authority, and their feelings and opinions come from a hodge-podge of contradictory ideas they’ve picked up over the years. 

Persons can be challenged on at least two fronts here. Initially, you might point out that it makes no sense to hold opinions that contradict one another. Then, you might point out that unless one has a source of authority and recognizes what that authority is, one is by definition going to be inconsistent on many points. Inconsistency is intellectual foolishness.

Ultimate Questions

Third, now that the issue of authority is on the table, raise the issue of ultimate questions. All people, if they’re going to make sense out of life, must ask and answer at least four questions concerning ultimate reality. 1) Where do I come from? 2) Why am I here? 3) How do I live while I'm here? 4) What happens when I die?

Share Christian Worldview

Fourth, engage in worldview dialogue. On an evolutionary worldview, the view to which most persons in our culture subscribe, in answer to the four questions, we come from a random chance accident; if so, we have no reason for existence, and life has no meaning; since we’re an accident, and life has no meaning, it really makes no difference how we live; and when we die, that’s it, we simply cease to exist.

Those who hold to an evolutionary worldview who then try to inject meaning into their existence are being philosophically inconsistent. When one says, "I exist to better society," you respond by saying, "That's inconsistent on your worldview. Bettering society makes no difference and means nothing. It's survival of the fittest on your worldview." If persons try to inject meaning into life in anyway, all their answers will be whatever gives them meaning or an opinion as to what might give others meaning. And that’s relativism. On either worldview, evolution or relativism, nothing matters, but people don’t really believe that or live that way. 

In order to make sense out of what they do and why they do it, unbelievers actually appeal to a Christian worldview without realizing it. The Christian worldview is the only worldview that makes sense out of reality. Show a person who holds to an evolutionary worldview that he’s being inconsistent on his worldview and actually appealing to a Christian worldview to inject meaning into his life, and he’ll either get angry or begin to ask questions. That reaction, of course, is up to God. But you’ve at least initiated the conversation.

On the Christian worldview, life has meaning. We’re here because a wise and loving God created us. Our purpose is to glorify Him in all things. Therefore, we live in accordance with His will and ways that we might fulfill our purpose. His will and ways are revealed to us in the Scriptures. Best of all, when we die, we live with Him forever in perfect peace and joy. There is purpose to life and meaning to our existence. The things we do here carry forward into eternity. We’re more than mere matter in motion. 

Examine Current Event from Authority

Fifth, examine the issue under discussion from a Christian worldview by appealing to your authority: the Scriptures. No mere opinion will do. Ask ten people their opinion and you’ll get ten opinions. We need an authority that comes from outside of ourselves: God’s word.

Segue into the Gospel

Sixth, make a smooth transition to the gospel.

C-A-U-S-E-S

We can summarize our steps with the acronym C-A-U-S-E-S. This is important for two reasons. First, we have two great causes in mind: the glory of God and the good of others. Second, this acronym will guide us in our conversation so that we readily and easily accomplish our goal. The acronym stands for: Current Event; Authority Source; Ultimate Questions; Share Christian Worldview; Examine Current Event from Authority; Segue into the Gospel. May you intentionally guide people in conversation that you might guide them to Christ.

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Should We Use Transgender Names & Pronouns? | True Worldview Ep. 37

Should We Use Transgender Names & Pronouns?

Talk about hard conversations, at least for some. Say a friend or acquaintance tells you he’s now transgender. He was born male but will now identify as female. Do you refer to him as him or her? Do you use the new pronouns transgenders are demanding? Do you call this person by the name you’ve used since you met him, or do you use the female name now requested?

The question is a hard one. We don’t want to offend; we should accommodate where we can for the sake of the gospel; we don’t want to lose a friend; we don’t want to dishonor God. These issues and more make for tough slogging. We need some biblical wisdom.

We need to answer the question of whether to use transgender names or pronouns at two levels: the institutional and the personal. It’s not that we’re going to come to different conclusions. Truth is truth at any level, and so is falsehood. But we might take different routes to get to our destination at each of those respective levels.

The Institutional Level

We’ve already said that truth is truth. It’s also true that God is God. And the things God has done are the things God has done. And the definitions and rules that God has made are the definitions and rules that God has made. I’m saying it like that to make a point: we don’t have the right to change truth, deny God, altar reality, or change the definitions or rules God has made. It’s God’s universe, not ours. God created us male and female. There are no more genders according to the one who created us. And though many would make a distinction between biological sex and gender, God does not.

We’re also commanded by God to speak the truth in love. We must never be ugly or harsh. We must never make fun of someone’s confusion and sin. We must never think we’re better than anyone. We all are born confused, rebel sinners and deserve God’s wrath. Our knowledge and freedom regarding these issues, like our salvation, is by grace. So, we must speak in the love of Christ, but we must speak the truth. There is no love apart from truth. It’s not either or; it’s both and.

The inescapable conclusion then is that we can’t use female gender pronouns for biological males or male gender pronouns for biological females. We can’t use the new pronouns the LBGT community is demanding. I can’t comply when Sally, a biological female who now says she’s a male, asks me to call her Sam. If Sam is short for Samantha, that’s okay. She’s female and identifying as such. But if Sally wants to be called Sam so she can now identify as a male, that’s not okay. Her name is a denial of God and the way He’s made her. She’s in open rebellion against her Creator, and its my job to lovingly warn her.

So, if I’m speaking at a theology conference, talking on a podcast, or writing this article here, I’m direct. I’m saying what I’m saying without hesitation. I’m not being ugly; I’m simply writing for a general audience saying here’s the truth – walk in it. In those instances, I’m speaking at an institutional level.

The Individual Level

But if I’m speaking to someone face to face, I might approach the issue a little differently depending upon the circumstance. Here’s an example: I do a little swim coaching, and the mom of a former swimmer called me. She told me her daughter wanted to get back in the water and wondered if she could join the swim clinic I was running. And by the way, she’s transgender and wants to be called by her male name. I had spent some time with this family a few years earlier and tried to point them to Christ. I told her I would be happy for her daughter to swim with us. I was nothing but kind and enthusiastic. I didn’t act shocked when she told me of this development; I didn’t say I won’t call her a boy; I didn’t say I wouldn’t use her new male name. I didn’t say anything other than I would love to see them all again. But I had a plan and started praying. My intention was to re-establish the relationship and look for the right time to have a conversation about what was going on with her and point her to Christ. I would say something like you know how much I enjoy coaching you and hope you’ll be swimming with us for a long time. We’re going to be friends no matter what. My intention would be to make it absolutely clear that I was coming from a place of love when I broached the subject. I would tell her I couldn’t call her by her male name, and I would tell her why. That’s the individual level.

The Right Thing to Do

Now some would say unless you tell someone upfront, it’s compromise. That may be, but I do know that Jesus didn’t tell His disciples everything up front. He even said, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (Jn. 16:12). Either approach seems to line up with Scripture. The real problem lies with those who simply acquiesce or those who intend to take my approach but never get to the gospel. Some will say they are accommodating when they are really trying to avoid conflict. Some intend to share Christ, but end up not doing so as time goes by. If you delay for the sake of the gospel, make sure you get to the gospel at some point. You then leave the results to God.

The Offense of the Cross

One more thing. Never forget that the Scripture says the gospel is offensive. The truth is offensive and often hurtful to rebel sinners. We must not offend by being unthoughtful in what we say, but the message itself will offend. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t give it. We must—for God’s glory and their good. Paul said if he were to compromise and preach circumcision to the Jews, because that’s what they believed, the offense of the cross would have been emptied of its power (Gal. 5:11). Speaking the truth in love may hurt someone, but it’s power! And, it’s the only thing that can save them. 

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It's Hard to Have Hard Conversations | True Worldview Ep. 36

It’s Hard to Have Hard Conversations

What do you do when a close friend tells you she’s decided to divorce her husband? Gal. 6:1 immediately comes to mind: “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” If we see a fellow-believer in spiritual danger, ruining their witness for Christ, or otherwise overtaken in sin, it’s our responsibility to help them turn around. The idea is to rescue them from danger and restore them to usefulness in the kingdom.

Some Obstacles

But what if your friend is not a believer? On the one hand, it’s not our role to call out unbelievers on every sin (or even believers for that matter, Prov. 19:11). Christians are accused of being harsh and judgmental. We’re called haters. Much of the time those accusations are unfair and untrue. But if we point out sin in someone without the gospel, not only might we come across as unloving, we don’t really do much good. Unless God changes one’s heart through the gospel, we’re doing nothing more than substituting a false morality for genuine repentance.

Moreover, we know it’s hard for a Christian to accept proper rebuke, and we approach them when we need to with fear and trepidation. How much more difficult is it to confront an unbeliever? We have no idea they’ll accept what we have to say; we’re often fearful of losing a friend; and we actually are mindful of coming across as the sin police. The point is it’s hard to have hard conversations.

Some Considerations

On the other hand, there are times when something must be said, for God’s glory and their good. Love demands it. Let’s say you find out your unbelieving friend is sleeping with her boyfriend. You may not say something immediately, and you certainly don’t rebuke her on that and move on. But at some point, you have to say something. Why? It’s not that you merely want this unbeliever to quit sinning. As noted, that does no spiritual good (though there are other benefits to her ceasing from such activity). It’s not just that you consider this particular sin a bigger sin than certain others. It’s that you have a goal. Your goal is to talk to your friend that you might give her the gospel. You want her to have the greatest reality in all the universe: forgiveness of sin, life from the dead, and a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. If your friend has decided to divorce her husband, you have to say something. The immediate benefit is worth any perceived risk. She’s about to do something that will prove to be disastrous for her life. She hasn’t thought about the consequences related to income, her children, family holidays, visitation, future relationship complications, and so much more. All she wants is relief from her present circumstances. You need to warn her. And, you need to do so in the context of the gospel that she might be saved.

Some Advice

Often times we think confronting others with their sin is unloving. We convince ourselves some are focused on the truth while we’re focused on love. We don’t want to offend because we’re loving. The reality is that there is no love apart from the truth. If you’re a doctor and your patient has cancer, its not loving to withhold that information, even though you know it’s going to hurt them deeply to hear it. You’re on a loving rescue mission. It’s a false distinction to separate truth from love. There are people who speak the truth without love. They’re harsh. But you can communicate truth in love, truth and love, at the same time. If we don’t say something because we don’t want to offend, we’re not focused on love, we’re focused on self. We’re focused on avoiding conflict. We’re focused on avoiding something unpleasant. That’s selfish, not loving.

So hard conversations are hard. But sometimes they’re necessary. Be committed to the truth, to love, to God’s glory, and to their good. Make sure you pray, exercise biblical wisdom, examine your heart, and be gentle as Paul says in Gal. 6:1. It’s interesting too that the word “restore” in Gal. 6:1 was used to set a broken bone. If you know Christ, you’re a spiritual doctor, and what you need to do is lovingly patch up your wounded friend. She’ll be grateful in the end.

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How to Share Christ with Your Friends | True Worldview Ep. 35

How to Share Christ with Your Friends

Telling your friends about Christ isn’t always easy. Maybe you know they don’t want to hear about your faith, or they consider themselves to be saved, though they don’t act like they are. It could be you’ve made a new friend, and they don’t yet know you’re a Christian, and they’re lifestyle suggests they’re not interested. For your part, maybe you don’t want to come across as judgmental or narrow-minded, or maybe you don’t want to offend anyone or risk losing a friend. For whatever the reason, you find it hard to share Christ.

Pray and Keep on Praying

The first thing you need to do is pray. That gets God in on what you’re trying to do. Prayer is too often the last resort. It should be our first resort. We can’t do anything apart from God. He’s the one who must open blind eyes and soften hardened hearts. You shouldn’t expect much success without prayer. But when you pray, make sure you pray in faith, and watch the openings God gives you. When it comes to sharing Christ with your friends, pray, and keep on praying.

Take Advantage of Easy Opportunities

It’s a little easier if someone is asking questions about the bible, religion, or ultimate issues. You have an open invitation to give them real answers connected to the gospel. Don’t hesitate. Don’t compromise. Don’t beat around the bush. Go ahead and give them what they need.

Look for Doors to Gently Push On

But what if they seem content? What if they have no questions? Sometimes things seem to be going well for certain individuals, and they’ve got it all together. The fact is that we live in a fallen world and no one’s life is perfect. Sometimes you have to look for doors to push on.

What kind of doors? Let’s say your friend says she’s having a hard time with her boyfriend or husband. There’s a door. Don’t kick it in, but push on it gently. Find a way to give her some biblical wisdom, and cut a path to her greatest need: Christ and the gospel. Maybe your roommate tells you he’s done something he regrets. There’s a door. Perhaps someone has lost a loved one, or even a distant relative. That’s a natural moment to talk about eternal things. Any number of situations can be turned to opportunities. Someone’s had a bad date; another is frustrated at his failure in some regard; one is stressed about work; one is worried about the rent. You get the idea. 

Be a Sage

Whether in your place of work, your community, your coffee-shop group, or wherever, become known as the one who has solid advice and counsel. I’m not talking about being a know-it-all, talking too much, or being arrogant. I’m saying be the one to give a word fitly spoken (Prov. 25:11): saying the right thing at the right time. Know your bible, and know how practical it is. Know that it speaks to every life situation, not just the truncated gospel that we sometimes see in tracts. Take a course on biblical counseling. Take a course in theology. And then be ready. Be the one person that others know they can come to when they have a problem. If they know you love them, and if they know you have wisdom, they’ll come to you. And that makes it easier.

 Sign up free for "True Worldview News," a weekly e-mail newsletter highlighting relevant news stories affecting Christians. Dr. Dean’s comments on selected stories along with editorials are included. The newsletter also features True Worldview, a twice-weekly podcast hosted by Dr. Dean and his daughter, Christi Johnson.