The question of how the church can impact a decadent culture is the source of a never-ending dialogue. How can we reach Baby Boomers? Baby Busters? Gen Xers? Gen Yers? Postmodernists? Regardless of the culture being discussed, the answer is often this: “The times are changing. We need to change with them. We must keep current. We must be relevant.”
How might Paul have responded to that thesis? You need not guess, for he provided his answer in Scripture. In 2 Timothy 3 and 4, Paul teaches young Timothy how to minister in “perilous times.” He writes, “Timothy, these days are evil (3:1). You’re living in an increasingly wicked world (3:1–13). Beyond that, you’re surrounded by an increasingly worldly church (4:3–4).”
Paul’s instructions for ministering in a wicked world are crystal clear: “Keep doing what you’ve always done. Even as the world keeps getting worse, you (emphatic) stick to the Holy Scriptures (3:14). Preach the Word (4:2). Patiently confront people with biblical truth (4:2b). Explain the Bible. Make the point of the text the point of your sermon or conversation. Why? Because only Scripture can bring men to salvation (3:15). Only Scripture is God-breathed and (therefore) profitable to help people grow and become prepared for ministry (3:16–17). Your words can’t do that. Fables can’t do that (4:4). Scripture can. Nothing is more relevant and life-changing than truth.”
Are the times changing? Perhaps. But our message and method must not.
October 2006
