1 Corinthians 2:14-3:3 Advanced Christianity Part 1.

1 Corinthians 2:14-3:31 Corinthians 2:14-3:3

Advanced ChristianityAdvanced Christianity

Part 1Part 1

Advanced ChristianityAdvanced Christianity

Means Radical Change:Means Radical Change:– More than the things you’re DOING…More than the things you’re DOING…

– More than a change of ATTITUDE…More than a change of ATTITUDE…

– More than a change in RELATIONSHIPS…More than a change in RELATIONSHIPS…

Advanced ChristianityAdvanced Christianity

Yet we do speak wisdom among those Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age…we speak God's not of this age…we speak God's wisdom… wisdom…

1Cor 2:61Cor 2:6

Advanced ChristianityAdvanced Christianity

What means: Romans 12:2What means: Romans 12:2

““Do not be Do not be conformedconformed to this to this world…world…

““but be but be transformedtransformed by the by the renewing of your mind.”renewing of your mind.”

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

What is a “conformist” ?What is a “conformist” ?– Someone who buys into a belief Someone who buys into a belief

mainly because others buy into it…mainly because others buy into it…

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

What is a “conformist” ?What is a “conformist” ? Signs of Conformity:Signs of Conformity:

– Holding a ‘popular’ belief system, Holding a ‘popular’ belief system, but but unable to explain what it isunable to explain what it is……

– Unwilling to think criticallyUnwilling to think critically about their view… about their view…

– ““Blending in” to avoid contempt…Blending in” to avoid contempt…

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

What is a “conformist” ?What is a “conformist” ? Signs of ConformitySigns of Conformity Why “resist” conformity?Why “resist” conformity?

– God wants us to think critically!God wants us to think critically!

– Our friends may be confused!Our friends may be confused!

– Others may actually be wrong!Others may actually be wrong!» ““People love the darkness…”People love the darkness…”

» Materialism, Hedonism, Self-ism…Materialism, Hedonism, Self-ism…

“Do not be conformed to this world…” Rom. 12:2

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

What is a “conformist” ?What is a “conformist” ? Signs of ConformitySigns of Conformity Why “resist” conformity?Why “resist” conformity?

– God wants us to think critically!God wants us to think critically!– Our friends may be confused!Our friends may be confused!– Others may actually be wrong!Others may actually be wrong!– Even if they’re Even if they’re rightright, it’s , it’s wrong!wrong!

» Waving aside my Waving aside my humanity!humanity!» It’s YOUR Decisions, YOUR Life!It’s YOUR Decisions, YOUR Life!

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

What is a “conformist” ?What is a “conformist” ? Signs of ConformitySigns of Conformity Why “resist” conformity?Why “resist” conformity? Today: a Society of Today: a Society of ExtremeExtreme Conformity! Conformity!

– The Postmodern EraThe Postmodern Era

– ““Truth isTruth is unclear unclear and and unknowableunknowable…”…”

– ““Truth is a matter of Truth is a matter of personal tastepersonal taste…”…”

Consider These Opinions…Consider These Opinions…

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

What is a “conformist” ?What is a “conformist” ? Signs of ConformitySigns of Conformity Why “resist” conformity?Why “resist” conformity? Even if they’re Even if they’re rightright, it’s wrong!, it’s wrong! Today: a Society of Today: a Society of ExtremeExtreme Conformity! Conformity!

– The Postmodern EraThe Postmodern Era– ““Truth isTruth is unclear unclear and and unknowableunknowable…”…”– ““Truth is a matter of Truth is a matter of personal tastepersonal taste…”…”– The “new era of McCarthyism…”The “new era of McCarthyism…”

We have moved from the conviction that everyone has a right to his own opinions to the notion that every opinion is equally right! - Erwin Lutzer. Christ Among Other Gods. Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1994, p.30

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

Postmodernism: The Christian Response?Postmodernism: The Christian Response? NOT: NOT: “Run Away…! Hide!”“Run Away…! Hide!”

“The Immaculate Conception as Perverted in the Pagan Harry Potter Books”

“New Harry Potter Book shares pre-sale frenzy with Dungeons and Dragons”

“Harry Potter Lures Kids to Witchcraft”

The Success of The Success of “Run away!”“Run away!”

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1977 1991 1996 2000 2004

relativism

Source:

“The Last Christian Generation”

J.McDowell

94% among94% amongnon-Christiansnon-Christians

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

Postmodernism: The Christian Response?Postmodernism: The Christian Response? NOT: NOT: “Run Away…! Hide!”“Run Away…! Hide!”

I never told you not to associate with the I never told you not to associate with the people of this world who are immoral, or the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world…” case you would have to leave this world…”

1 Cor. 5:101 Cor. 5:10

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

Postmodernism: The Christian Response?Postmodernism: The Christian Response? NOT: NOT: “Run Away…! Hide!”“Run Away…! Hide!” NOT: NOT: Emergent ChurchEmergent Church

Emergent Church:Emergent Church:

At its heart “lies the conviction that changes in the At its heart “lies the conviction that changes in the culture signal that a new church is ‘emerging.’ culture signal that a new church is ‘emerging.’ Christian leaders must therefore adapt to this Christian leaders must therefore adapt to this emerging church. Those who fail to do so are blindemerging church. Those who fail to do so are blind to to the cultural accretions…” the cultural accretions…”

Advanced Christianity:Advanced Christianity:“Don’t be conformed…”“Don’t be conformed…”

Postmodernism: The Christian Response?Postmodernism: The Christian Response? NOT: NOT: “Run Away…! Hide!”“Run Away…! Hide!” NOT: NOT: Emergent ChurchEmergent Church God’s Solution:God’s Solution:

– ““But But be transformedbe transformed by the renewing of your by the renewing of your mind, that you may mind, that you may proveprove…” …” Rom. 12:2Rom. 12:2

– Precisely Paul’s Point:Precisely Paul’s Point:

But he who is spiritual But he who is spiritual appraisesappraises all things, yet he himself is all things, yet he himself is appraised by no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, appraised by no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But that he should instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ!we have the mind of Christ!

Next Week:Next Week:

““But he who is spiritual appraises But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is all things, yet he himself is

appraised by no man. For who appraised by no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, has known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct Him? But that he should instruct Him? But

we have the mind of Christ!”we have the mind of Christ!”

Questions? Comments?Questions? Comments?