How do we Think Well About the World Around Us?

Real Life Theology Podcast

The Disciples Mind: https://renew.org/product/the-disciples-mind-thinking-like-a-disciple-of-jesus/

Today’s episode will help us thoughtfully engage with culture by combining biblical wisdom, creativity, and a balanced approach to grace and truth.

Engaging Culture Thoughtfully: Balancing Faith and Modern Challenges

Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the complex ways Christians can thoughtfully engage with culture. Spearheaded by Chad Ragsdale and Daniel McCoy, the discussion brings forth historical and biblical perspectives on navigating cultural tensions. Explore themes of accommodation, hostility, isolation, and counter-culture, and get a deeper understanding of Christian postures like quietism, activism, and evangelism. Based on 1 Peter 2:11-12, learn about living as exemplary citizens, balancing grace and truth, compassion and courage, and practicing creative, effective discipleship. Through personal anecdotes and practical applications, this episode provides valuable insights for balancing ethical issues, avoiding false dichotomies, and fostering unity in a fragmented world. Engage with us to think well, act compassionately, and lead courageously in today’s society.

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Key Takeaways

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:46 Framing the Discussion: Loving God with Our Minds

02:52 Cultural Matrix: Engaging with the World

06:44 Postures vs. Gestures: Contextual Approaches

10:17 Conflict and Cultural Engagement

20:23 Daniel McCoy's Perspective

21:48 Devil vs. God: Destruction and Unity

28:39 The Essence of Creativity

29:39 Church Unity and the Shema

30:32 The Beauty of Church Diversity

31:21 The Central Preposition of Christmas

32:36 Renew.org: Bridging Theology and Discipleship

33:17 Creativity in Addressing Cultural Issues

43:25 Balancing Grace and Truth

48:47 Evangelicalism and Activism

54:36 Avoiding False Dichotomies

55:28 Interactive Q&A Session

See below for a longer description:

In this episode, Chad Ragsdale, academic dean and professor at Ozark Christian College, and Daniel McCoy, editorial director for Renew.org, discuss their co-authored book, which tackles how disciples can love God with their minds and engage culture thoughtfully, grounded in biblical wisdom.

Chad kicks off the session by introducing himself and thanking the audience. He sets the stage for the conversation: how followers of Jesus can think critically and engage effectively with the world around them. He introduces a framework called the "cultural matrix," explaining how Christians approach culture along two axes: being "in the world" but "not of the world."

Ragsdale describes different postures: accommodation (adjusting to culture) and hostility (opposing culture), noting both are still rooted within the world. He contrasts these with anti-culture (like the Amish, who isolate) and counter-culture (those who create alternative communities). These stances aren’t wrong on their own but become problematic when they turn into rigid, inflexible approaches.

Most people, Ragsdale says, fall somewhere between these extremes, combining approaches like quietism (accommodation + isolation), activism (counter-culture + hostility), and evangelism (counter-culture + accommodation). The key is flexibility—adapting to context while maintaining biblical balance, avoiding a one-size-fits-all mentality.

Daniel McCoy then steps in, emphasizing the importance of creating a better culture as part of the Christian mission. He contrasts the destructive nature of the devil with God's creativity, which restores and unites. Creativity, McCoy explains, reflects God’s work, combining virtues like courage and compassion to transcend the binary choices the world offers. He uses examples like parenting and church worship to show how Christians can integrate traditional and contemporary elements to build something more beautiful.

During the Q&A, Ragsdale and McCoy address how these cultural postures relate to apologetics and the balance of grace and truth. Ragsdale emphasizes that apologetics should focus on addressing deeper hurts rather than simply winning arguments. He also stresses the need for fully integrating both grace and truth, sharing personal stories to illustrate how to live out these principles.

They also touch on trends in evangelicalism, noting how younger Christians often lean towards activism. Ragsdale cautions against tribalism, urging ongoing self-examination and thoughtful engagement instead of falling into divisive either-or thinking.

In closing, Ragsdale encourages the audience to keep asking questions, challenging their own views and others', and pursuing a more nuanced understanding of biblical truth.

In summary, this episode offers practical wisdom for Christians on engaging culture thoughtfully and biblically, urging a balance of grace and truth, creativity, and a spirit of inquiry.

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