Last time we discussed the three different types of cultural engagement.  This time we will look at the stick-shaker.  Remember last time we defined the stick-shaker as the one who looks at the problems of the world shakes a stick at them, rebukes them, rallies the troops to pick up their sticks, and hopes that by enough stick-shaking the problems will go away.  Today we will consider what the stick-shaker gets right and where I believe the stick-shaker turns from the Bible. 

The stick-shaker is correct that worldliness is a major problem.  When the world infiltrates the church you have major problems (see Corinth).  We are told by the apostle John not to “love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.” 

There is also an element of engagement that the stick-shaker does get right.  In Ephesians 5:11 we are told to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead to expose them.”  Sometimes the way that we are to engage is by loving rebuke.  So there are some things that stick-shakers get right and there are areas where we are indebted to their faithfulness to the holiness of the gospel.  But there are also serious problems with a stick-shakers view of engagement.

The fundamental error of the stick-shaker can be seen in a quote by JC Ryle’s book Holiness.  By no means am I accusing JC Ryle of being a stick-shaker.  These words, I think, meant something different in his day.  However, this quote will serve to show the underlying mindset of the stick-shaker:

[There] are [those] who are always trying to keep in with the world.  They are ingenious in discovering reasons for not separating decidedly, and in framing plausible excuses for attending questionable amusements, and keeping up questionable friendships.  One day you are told of their attending a Bible reading; the next day perhaps you hear of their going to a ball.  One day they fast, or go to the Lords’ table and receive the sacrament; another day they go to the racecourse in the morning, and the opera at night.  One day they are almost in hysterics under a sermon of some sensational preacher; another day they are weeping over some novel.  They are constantly laboring to persuade themselves that to mix a little with worldly people on their own ground does good.  Yet in their case it is very clear they do not good, and only get harm.

The problem with what Ryle is saying is that there is nothing innately wrong with a ball, watching horses go around a track, opera, or weeping at a novel.  Can these things become worldly and sinful?  You bet.  But can you enjoy an opera, read a novel, watch race horses, or enjoy a ball and it not be sinful?  Can Jesus go to a wedding party?  Where Ryle errs on this point is that he creates a needless dichotomy between sacred and secular. 

This needless dichotomy is the fundamental error with stick shakers.   And because of this they will defend their position with a great amount of vigor; after all, they are defending the sacred against the secular—God against the world.  The problem, though, is that the “world” that John is referring to is not the opera or great works of fiction.  The “world” that John is referring to is the God-hating mindset of secular man.  As D.A. Carson points out for John the world, “is not the universe, but the created order (especially of human beings and human affairs) in rebellion against its Maker.”

Furthermore, you do not see this type of cultural engagement with Jesus.  His sharp rebukes were often reserved for the religious elite.  Prostitutes, tax collectors, and society’s outcast often were given grace.  The problem with the stick-shaker is that they  create an “us v. them” mentality and often they feel more holy because they are not like the world.  I like what Paul Tripp says, “Whenever you believe that the evil outside of you is greater than the evil inside you, a heartfelt pursuit of Christ will be replaced by a zealous fighting of the “evil” around you.” 

If you are a stick-shaker that refuses to get your hands dirty and really incarnate the love of Jesus into other people’s lives then you need to come to grips with the sin in your own heart.  The reason for you disengagement is probably a combination of fear and pride.  So, realize that your greatest enemy is not the person across the street that is in love with world; your greatest enemy is indwelling sin.  Realize that the only hope that you have is the same hope that your neighbor has—the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Rather than engaging your neighbor with picket signs engage him with the love of the gospel.

To be continued…

A [rooster] was once strutting up and down the farmyard among the hens when suddenly he espied something shinning amid the straw. "Ho! ho!" quoth he, "that's for me," and soon rooted it out from beneath the straw. What did it turn out to be but a Pearl that by some chance had been lost in the yard? "You may be a treasure," quoth Master [Rooster], "to men that prize you, but for me I would rather have a single barley-corn than a peck of pearls." Precious things are for those that can prize them.    From Aesop’s Fables

Is this fable not the story of the unbeliever and the life-long struggle of the believer?  Christ is indeed the pearl of great price and yet we so often desire a “single barley-corn” rather than a “peck of pearls”.  The rooster’s problem is the same as ours; he is living for food which perishes and neglecting the greater treasure. 

Lord, give us hearts to treasure that which is truly treasure.  Give us the faith of Moses that chose to endure suffering for the sake of Christ rather than the fleeting pleasures of sin.  Remove our hearts of stone that can stare at beauty and desire bread for today rather than bread which endures forever.  

Last January (that’s 2008) I read Richard Sibbes’ The Bruised Reed.  Chapter 5 in particular was used by the Lord to convict me deeply about my attitude towards those under my care.  This comment of Sibbes was particularly convicting:

"Preachers need to take heed therefore how they deal with young believers. Let them be careful not to pitch matters too high, making things necessary evidences of grace which agree not to the experience of many a good Christian, and laying salvation and damnation upon things that are not fit to bear so great a weight."

How often have you seen a new believer (or even a seasoned one) for that matter highly discouraged because someone makes a major deal out of a minor issue?  I know I have been guilty of playing the “you may not be saved” card (especially early on in ministry). 

Do my work for me…

What are some examples of “making things necessary evidences of grace” and “laying salvation and damnation upon things that are not fit to bear so great a weight”?  What are these “evidences” that you have mistakenly used? 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5 ESV).

1. Don't assume that just because you don't see it happening --- its not happening.

2. Don't assume that just because it doesn't make sense to you --- it doesn't make sense.

3. Don't assume that just because it isn't the way you want it done --- its not being done correctly.

4.When its not your responsibility --- don't assume that you'll see the situation better than those involved and those to whom God has given leadership responsibility.

Let's be honest with ourselves. Each of us has more than we can handle trying to take care of the joys & responsibilities God has given us. After all, our perspective on our own lives is a bit skewed. How much less is our perspective when trying to evaluate and critique someone else according to our own wisdom?

Sometimes we do have the responsibility to evaluate and critique what is going on around us. But we should never confuse the responsibility God gives us with the ability to see and know the hearts and deeds of all men. Let us never confuse God-given responsibility in one arena of life with responsibility for all life and activity. As a pastor, I will never see all the ministry happening through my congregation. As a pastor, I should hope that our Sunday School teachers, missions leaders, and ministry leaders have a clearer sense from God how would have them lead the people given to them in those ministries better than I. If I lean on my own understanding, despair or delusion is not far away.

On one hand I am ridiculously excited about what God is doing with my generation.  We are seeing God raise up numerous Christ-centered, gospel drenched, men and women.  It is exciting to see people more concerned with planting a biblical church than with following the status quo.  It is encouraging to see men both engage culture and confront it at the same time.  These are exciting times.

On the other hand I am deeply disappointed with how my generation is embracing rebellion for the sake of rebellion.  I really want to give a few examples of this but I know how the conversation spirals into something unhelpful.  I know that if we give an example of alcohol or cursing or mention the name Mark Driscoll then the entire point that I am making will be lost.  So, what I propose to do is present a paradigm for us to think about certain issues then apply them to a few issues. 

My aim is to appeal to my generation to stop being rebels for the sake of rebellion.  I am really tired of reading blog posts, hearing discussions, and witnessing arguments in which people are talking around each other instead of believing the gospel and taking Jesus to the nations.  There are some that believe you cannot drink a beer and be a disciple of Jesus.  (If that is you then you are not my audience in this particular plea).  There are others that believe that in order to be a disciple of Jesus you have to drink beer.  (If that is you then you are my audience in this particular plea). 

Allow me to set the stage for the next few posts.  There are, in my opinion, three different ways of engaging the culture: the stick-shaker, the rule-breaker, and the difference maker.  The stick-shaker looks at the problems of the world shakes a stick at them, rebukes them, rallies the troops to pick up their sticks, and hopes that by enough stick-shaking the problems will go away. 

The rule breaker gets ticked off with the stick-shaker (and rightly so).  Rather than shaking a stick at the problems he decides that the best way to reach the culture is to engage the culture on its turf.  If there are “rules” preventing the relationship then its okay to break them (so long as its not one of those big ones like denying Jesus). 

The difference maker does just that; he makes a difference.  He engages the culture rather than shaking a stick at it.  But rather than engaging in sin on their behalf he calls the culture to repentance.  Here is a picture (I’m not a good artist):

To be continued…

I follow Paul Tripp on Twitter.  I wish I could follow him in real life; like follow him around with a notebook type of stuff.  This guy has so much wisdom it is ridiculous.  Recently Abraham Piper had the opportunity to interview him.  This is I believe the final question but it is phenomenal.  What is the greatest hindrance to cultivating community in the American church?  Read Tripp’s answer here. 

Abraham also asked Tripp about non-sinful conflict.  Read his answer here.

Steve Camp gives 7 habits of the contemporary church, the traditional church, and the biblical church.  Great points.

I have not had the chance to check this out but assume it is just as solid as Children’s Desiring God.  Check out Praise Factory by Connie Dever (that is Mark’s wife). 

Dr. Mohler has a phenomenal response (Duh!, of course it’s phenomenal) to President Obama’s “speech” at Notre Dame.  Basically, Dr. Mohler says that Obama is only talking about talking about abortion; read it here. 

10 Questions for Pastor’s Wives.  (HT: Colin)

Tim Chester quotes some DA Carson to point out a danger in blogging.

The more I read Kevin DeYoung the more respect I have for this brother.  Another great article: False Apology Syndrome. 

James McDonald suggest 5 illustrations that need retired, first two this week. 

Material from Bryan Chapell’s preaching class are available.  Thanks Colin!

I wasn’t aware this was a continuing problem…maybe I’ve just started reading different stuff.  C.Michael Patton says, “Calvinists Calm Down!”

If you are an American Idol fan then this will make you laugh hard; especially if you thought Kara’s song was a tad silly.  Brant Hansen writes his song inspired by Kara:

I needed to hear this today.  It’s sad that the “hate” that Chan is talking about often comes from the church culture:

George Mueller once said, “if you desire anything for God’s glory pray until you get it”. 

So, what do you think about that?