Tim, while I certainly appreciate and agree with your positions, why on earth would I care what the world thinks in 20, 40 or 100 years? I care only for what Christ thinks today, not what history will fret about tomorrow. In fact, that so many Christians care about how history will judge them is one reason they’ve gone silent on the Gospel, and placed themselves at risk. Living for Christ today shapes tomorrow and tomorrow isn’t even a luxury I have to play with.

Tim:

Great thoughts. Broadly, I’d add “Intellectual Life.” Mark Noll and others have chronicled that evangelicalism has suffered in this area, and I find their analysis compelling. I think we need to be doing more to cultivate the life of the mind within the church, and as a byproduct to this development, we may be able to better address the issues that you have mentioned.

Without knowing the best way to articulate this, I would also add that I believe the church should struggle more deeply with the question of war. I know this will be contentious with some of your readers (and maybe you, as well), but I would like to see a church that advocates more strongly for peace, is more skeptical of the terms the state dictates in declaring which wars are “just,” and is deeply mourned by the employ of mechanized killing.

My two cents. Thanks for stirring it up.

Tim, those are definitely some major things that we need to evaluate our approach as Christians. But something I see so widely now, specifically in America, is how self-centered and shallow Christians are. We love our comforts and spend millions on them. Yes, we may give money to different ministries and our church, but then most of us go on our merry way and spend the rest of the money however we want, without really acknowledging God. It is like we expect certain luxuries and comforts. We talk a lot about being like Christ, but we don’t really make an honest effort to heed what he says.

Dear Tim, I greatly appreciate your heart and your online ministry, so thank you for sharing what you do. On this subject, though, I have to agree with Brad in comment #3. Thinking about how God judges us makes a more substantive difference in how we live than considering how we’ll be evaluated in history. The writers of history will pass, and the empires that supported their view of history will fade, and over that time opinions about what people have done in the past will change. But all will answer to God for what they’ve done, and His justice will not change. History is partial; God is not.

I think the issues you raise are still valid, but the question becomes, are we opposing abortion in light of eternity or in this world only? Are we taking care of the earth because it honors and glorifies God or because it makes our time here a little nicer? A wrong heart, whether it be complacent or over-zealous, begins with having no view of eternity or a low view of God. I mean, if abortion protesters really believed a fetus is a life created by and for God through Jesus Christ, would they berate and shout at its mother? If we truly valued this world as God’s creation, created to give Him glory and make His wondrous character known to all people, wouldn’t we cherish it and do all we could to preserve it?

As with most of our problems as the church, I think the real issue is having a low view of God, and when we look to the world and its people, our view of God gets further obscured. Looking back at the greatest commandment, this should be our greatest concern for how we’ll be judged—have we truly loved God with everything we are? Have we done everything we do for His glory?

Tim,

A thought-provoking and challenging post. I appreciate your willingness to throw these three issues out there and how Christians of the next generation (or two or three) will look back on our blind spots. Gospel-centered self-evaluation is a discipline we would all benefit from—both on a personal and corporate level—if we practiced it more often. Not that we are so concerned with what the next generation thinks or how the world sees us as an end in itself, but rather to the end of evaluating how we have portrayed and reflected Christ. And we can see both poor and bright portrayals in Western Christendom today.

Totally agree about abortion and slavery. I know that I am far too susceptible to and content with speaking out against these evils without ever taking further action. Certainly, we must be voice for those who are being silenced; we must also, as you allude to, put our hands and feet to the more arduous work of facilitating change. The example of William Wilberforce is sobering and challenging. As far as creation care, I’m a little more hesitant to agree with you there on all points. Yes, we should be people who manage our resources wisely, acknowledging that ultimately all things belong to our Creator. Whether money, possessions, natural resources, time, relationships, jobs, etc. (the “sacred-secular” dichotomy is false, from a biblical worldview), we are obligated as followers of Christ to use each in such a way that exalts Him as both owner and provider of all we have. However, I’m not quite sure I can agree with the Creation Mandate as chiefly incumbent upon the believer, or (as is very popular among younger believers today) the notion that we, as Christ’s ambassadors, ought to be in the business of seeing Christ’s redeeming work extended to the created order ( the idea being, as He is redeeming a people and will redeem the creation, so we ought to do both now). Yes, we steward wisely, but chiefly for Gospel-ends not creation-ends. As believers, the Gospel Mandate guides, seasons, and pervades our thinking about all of life. In the area of creation stewardship, we so use and so steward our natural resources to make them maximally useful in propagating the Gospel. Does that make sense?

Two really big issues that future generations of believers will look back on us in disbelief/shame, in my opinion, is our head-long absorption in stuff and the pursuit of self.

Again, this is primarily a Western problem—a problem we have shamefully exported to other parts of the world—the very air we breath. You alluded to consumerism/materialism in your discussion of slavery, but I think is really an issue in and of itself. That it is mentioned in the context of modern slavery only goes to demonstrate the total pervasiveness of our materialism. Every part of our life (as a culture, yes, but regretably within the church) seems tainted with our insatiable pursuit of material things. We approach work in order to have purchasing power; we approach church life as an avenue to receive only; we view family as either a means or a hindrance to our obtaining things; we consume media CONSTANTLY in order to have the best or most up-to-date information; and so on. I do not want to err in hyperbole—there are degrees in and exceptions to the culture of consumerism. But our culture is consumeristic in nature and that culture has, unfortunately, infiltrated the church in many ways. You wrote “How will history judge us when they see the homes of North American Christians bursting at the seams with stuff—with clothes and electronics and furniture”; if it judges our burgeoning lives (and homes and cars and schedules) by the criteria of I Timothy 2:2, Titus 2:12-14, or James 4, we have some ‘splainin’ to do. Wealth and stuff is not evil. We are told to enjoy the good things God has made and glorify him for His goodness towards us in them. But I don’t think that is often times our attitude.

Our consumeristic bent is only the product of our pursuit of self. Whether its status in things we have or the goal of being a better person as end in itself, we are a people often absorbed in self. Self-realization, self-actualization, and self-esteem have increasingly replaced God as the center and end of existence. We educate our children so that they may better themselves in the future; we go to church to learn to be better husbands and wives, better employees, better employers, better parents, better citizens, better people; we read the Bible and pray to be better Christians; we engage in so many of things do to better ourselves. And bettering ourselves as parents and employers and students and Christians is not bad, but its not ultimate. These, as C.S. Lewis argues, are second things. Often, however, they are purported as first things and, as Lewis’ argument goes, when we put second things first we lose both first and second things. Again, degrees and exceptions abound. But self as an end in itself—instead of Christ as the end of self—is the air we breath, even within the Western church at large. I can’t imagine our progeny looking back and not lamenting the rampant self-focus of our generation.

I am thankful that God is gracious and that Christ is the Lord of His church. I’m thankful that despite our blindspots and weaknesses, He lovingly (even if painfully) illumines our minds and transforms our lives by His Spirit through His Word. I’m thankful that the Gospel is not limited by our short-comings, but works in us as the power of sanctification. And that is where I love to arrive in the exercise of evaluation—the power of the Gospel of Christ. Thanks for throwing the topic out there, Tim.

Tim,

It seems that you are “between two worlds”. You have hit on something I find myself constantly asking. “What is it that we are doing or not doing today that Christians in future years will shake their heads in confusion saying, ‘They certainly were Godly people, but why were they so blind to the sin that was staring them in the face.’”

I would really like to know if that “one thing” exists and, like you, have muddled over the issues of abortion, the environment and how we use the third world countries to feed our luxuries.

These are good thoughts for us to ponder. Thanks for posting them.

Rod

Abortion: Just yesterday I had a discussion with another Christian who claimed to be pro-choice, yet saw unborn babies as human. The individual admitted that her position was illogical and that my argument was frustrating. So, I hope that I planted a seed of logic.

However, Tim says about abortion:”If we are honest with ourselves we have to admit that most of us do not do much of anything.”

I have to disagree with that to some extent. So much of Christian effort in the past, and currently, has gone toward alleviating the poverty and other factors that contribute to higher numbers of abortions. I would bet that many (most?) who read this blog either take part in those activities directly, or take part in them by working in the world to earn money to give to such efforts.

In addition, with all three of those, we could certainly do more. But, it must be said that Christians work hard in each of those three areas. Perhaps I’m biased by the fact that I, personally, make continued and ongoing efforts in two of the three (abortion and creation care) and know people who work in the third.

There is also that little fact that each of us is only one person. So, as a larger Church we must work to find opportunities for direct service, but balance it with leveraging of resources through those in direct service.

The real danger, of course, is that we simply dump some money in the collection plate and are done with it. Instead, we should each find and take opportunities to be personally engaged with various ministries.

Sorry for “stealing your thunder” Rebecca.

Though I stand by what I wrote, I did also want to disclaim the lack of morning coffee before pressing send on that comment, and the profound respect I have for Tim’s writing and thinking. Though Tim’s gracious enough to take a comment like that in stride, I certainly don’t want to abuse his generosity.

Wonderful food for thought, Tim.

From time immemorial, history has revealed its men of greatness and has equally exposed men of smallness.

For those who feel it’s unimportant how Christians conduct themselves today in light of how we might be judged by those who would bear His Name in the future, I would challenge you to read Isaiah chapters 36-39 and consider what became of King Hezekiah.

Though he is known as having been a king who did some good, he ended his years an old man without vision or concern for the future generations but only for the peace and security of the times in which he lived. (39:8)

Based on a careful reading of Isaiah’s account, what a small man he was proven to be.

Tim, if I’m reading you right, are you not searching for and calling for men of greatness to rise up on behalf of future generations?

Today we can look back and judge that there were bible believing Christians that were wrong in their stand regarding slavery. So the question is, is there the possibility that we are taking the wrong stand or no stand at all on issues facing us today, and using the scriptures to support our action or lack there of?

How about what we find entertaining?

The way things are going, I truly do not believe there even will be a hundred years from now, although none of us could possibly know that for sure. I think Jesus Christ will come back soon. And I do think that this generation is big on talk, little on action. It’s all how we feel about things. Look at what has happened to the Church as a whole in the US—we have to make unbelievers “feel at home” in our congregations, so that the worship service is watered down for them and is not building up believers, as it is meant to do. How many young people don’t even know who Jesus is, except to use His name as a swear word? The bottom line is “what will people think of what we think of God?” And because there is such a small view of Him, these other things proliferate.

At the risk of causing mass chaos, I want to offer a theory and confess that I am dissatisfied with it. I wonder if in 100 years Christians will look back and fail to understand how we could oppose the homosexual lifestyle. Let me be honest — I am a member of a PCA church and tend to vote with the GOP; I do not support gay marriage or the like. If you look at the ways society is drifting, however, it is not inconceivable that most churches will eventually capitulate on opposing the homosexual lifestyle.

I know that it is not a fair comparison but 150 years ago, Christians in the South really believed that slavery was sanctioned by Scripture. 50 years ago, Christians taught that African Americans should accept segregation because they should submit to divine authority. As the homosexual lifestyle question is increasingly re-interpreted as a matter or civil rights, I can see a day when most Christians accept and those who don’t are viewed as isolated fundamentalists.

All of this to say, I hope this does not come to pass, but it would not surprise me if this happened.

My passion for ministry to predominantly Christians is based upon the very mixed blessing of “being a Christian living in a culture of comfort”. Taken to its obvious, surface consequence, the church is no different than the world (Rom 21:2) when it comes to doing anything UN-comfortable.

Taken to a much deeper level(1), it’s an absolute catastrophe when the Christian cannot stand—and will avoid at all costs on a conscious AND unconscious level—much more than a pin prick of emotional, spiritual, intellectual, or physical suffering, DIScomfort.

(1)Chapter 7, “The Weeping, the Window, the Way”, by John Dozier: http://www.feastoftheheart.org/weeping-window-way

To address Brother Tim’s offering more directly then, for me, beginning a life in Christ with the basics of DISCIPLESHIP is decidedly UNcomfortable, inconvenient, requiring submission to authority, hard to find in many churches, hard work, and often involves at least some degree of vulnerability—the death nell for at least two generations of emotionally-spiritually wounded hearts.

For me, the centerpiece of solid discipleship includes going deep, way deep (again, not something we do well…) into the gospel that includes, a) the real depths of our sin, and b) the real heights of God’s love(2). Devoid of daily living on “both ends of the gospel” (total depravity matched by trinity love), we become lukewarm Christians:

(2)”And can it be that I should gainan interest in the Savior’s blood!Died he for me? who caused his pain!For me? who him to death pursued?Amazing love! How can it bethat thou, my God, shouldst die for me?”

After sound, Bible-based, Reformed, Christ- and gospel-centered discipleship, again for me, the toughest (E.g., discomforting) and most important issues we will might be judged by are ABORTION, OUR WITNESS/WITNESSING, ACTS OF JUSTICE AND MERCY—in favor of “living a life more comforting than discomforting”.

Lastly, if I may, I believe, Jesus’s second coming is closer than ever, and Satan is more pissed than ever—and he is focusing on keeping the unsaved unsaved, and the saved unsavory and as ineffective as possible… to a fast-dying and gospel-starved world.

Yes, the creation is important, and the church’s worldliness in consumption is… worldly. But I’m passionate about growing up Christians who may well be avoiding sanctification, and not even know it.

C’mon people, Tim’s trying to make a great point and encourage us to have a little perspective. As you probably know, he wrote an article last week where so many commenters found it easy to condemn something (slavery) that now seems obviously immoral to all 21st century believers. He’s just asking if it’s possible that we don’t have it all figured out in the 21st century. This response feels like an unnecessary one-up when Tim clearly put a lot of time and thought into provoking us to consider where we might be currently missing perspective.

Great post and thought process. This type of thinking should consistently affect our living. There shouldn’t be a difference in how God sees us vs. future Christians (unless in the scenario given above, where future Christians actually depart from the truth and judge us in that way). My thoughts as a dad are more to the point. When it’s my time for glory what have my children seen in my life, what will they say I care about, and not only in words.

Will they think I loved stuff more than people? Will they say I pounded my fist at murdered infants, but did little to fight? Will they say I claimed to follow Christ and love the Gospel, but spent most of my time securing a nice, safe life for myself? Will they wonder why I didn’t evangelize more?

Honestly, the creation care just falls to the wayside for me. I really hope my kids are more concerned with the lost than earth care ( I don’t mean that in a condesending way at all, just trying to set a priority).

One of the prirorities we need to set as Christians is for our families. Our example to them will be the most powerful force in their earthly lives. Their salvation belongs to God, but our legacy through them can be more powerful than any single thing we do. America is in the state it is in now because parents started assuming and forgetting the 1st importance of the Gospel. They started handing kids off to Sunday Schools and Christian Schools, expecting those things to provide for their spiritual needs. How can a child rectify in their mind a dad who finds a way to make all of this money for new stuff, but can’t find time to teach his children the Word of God. From a child’s point of view, what do they see us living for, what matters most to us? And not in just our mere words, but in our actions. I worry less about what a Christian in 2160 will think of me, than how my life and example will affect my grand and great grandchildren in 2160.

Easiest example is the legacy of Jonathan Edwards, an amazing family tree…

I’m not sure what you mean. If the choice is between killing their own flesh and blood, or giving them to someone willing to make the sacrifices necessary to raise them, why would God be angry with how we handle this. Surely in some cases people are ensnared by idols that put their comfort about the security of a child. Is there not also a place for wisdom in recognizing you cannot properly care for a child?I view this from the perspective of an adoptive father. I know his birth family could not care for him due to a correctable defect. They abandoned him, most likely out of love, so he would have a chance. Instead of in a grave, my son is loved & nurtured. You can’t say all who give their children up sin.

Having worked in the arena of Crisis Pregnancy Centers for many years—because of, and while, working through God’s redeeming the misuse of my own sexuality—it became more and more obvious to me that it is very important to understand abortion as a sub-set and symptom of sexual promiscuity. Sexual promiscuity in the Bible is the cause of many, many ills of self and society, not the least of which is using abortion as a contraceptive.

Ouch! If that idea hurt your heart, praise God! As hard is this is to admit, it’s gets more to the root of the cause (idolatry)… and the cure (Christ).

This may appear to some an unnecssary hair-splitting point, but it is not to God: I believe we will certainly be held to account (not judged as an unbeliever will be) about how each of us, a) treated our sexuality and b) influenced others about the best use of this awesome gift from God.

Thx!