Reformission #5: "going to seminary at the grocery store"

Acts 17 is a classic missions passage. It shows how Paul takes the countless gods in Athens, particularly "the unknown god," and uses them to point to the One True God revealed in Jesus. Paul didn't take the time to refute everything that was wrong with their religion - though he certainly confronted culture. He used what was there to point them to the truth. He was opportunistic with cultural opportunities, including quoting some Greek poets. Driscoll states, "In our day, this would be akin to unearthing partial truths about God from a culture's film, music, comedy, sports, literature, theater, philosophy, economics, medicine, or politics and working from those truths to the truth of Jesus as the ultimate answer to all human questions and cultural problems" (p. 121).

After discussing some of the erroneous views of Christians in culture - that all culture is bad and we need to flee it (we need to avoid loving the world - wordliness - but culture itself is a mixed bag), Driscoll reminds us that God's people have often lived in exile ... pilgrims. This world is not our home, but we are called to love it and transform it because God loves it and wants it transformed.

In short, we need to wade into our culture and look amid the mixed messages we see around us to find, and affirm, truth. I'm not a real edgy movie guy. Not much of a movie guy at all, to be honest. But I heard a speaker at a camp tell about how Crash is a great movie that will move people closer to God than a sermon. I watched it. It has a ton of stuff you don't want to see - disturbing language, images, and everything. And it is, in my mind, a tremendous picture of humanity. It doesn't so much tell us about our Savior as it shows us our need for one. The people I started out liking in the film ended up being "less than perfect," at the end. And the ones who were rotten at the beginning had some redemptive qualities near the end. A powerful picture, in my mind, of humankind created in the Image of God, but corrupted through sin. I'm sure there's many more connections between the gospel and culture if I was better attuned to it.

Driscoll's questions (prepare to be challenged ... and maybe offended)...

• Try shopping at a new grocery store, reading magazines (especially their ads) you would never pick up (middle-aged male plumbers could read Cosmo Girl), listening to new music (Christian-pop fans would do well to tune into the hardcore station), listening to new teachers (Christian-radio fans should tune into a sexual talk program like Tom Leykis or Howard Stern), and watching a movie you normally would not.

  During the week, make an effort to learn from the people whom you encounter in public settings, such as the bank teller or grocery store clerk. Simply ask them what they've learned about people after interacting with so many. You will find that they are a wealth of insight.

  Most important, speak with lost people who are not like you, not for the purpose of converting them but rather for the purpose of learning what life is like for them in their culture.

  After you have undergone your reformission refocus and have returned to your normal routine, ask the following questions about your culture, including your Christian culture. If youa re reading this book as a part of a group experience, your group may find it helpful to share your answers to these questions.

  Where do people spend their time and money?

  What do people do during their free time?

  What do they fear?

  What do they dream about?

  Where do they shop?

  What cultural experiences do they value?

  What are the most painful experiences they have had?

  What music do they listen to?

  What film and TV do they watch?

  What do they find humorous?

  In what ways are they self-righteous?

  What do they read?

  What is their spirituality?

  Whom do they trust? Why?

  What do they think about the gospel?

  What sins will the gospel first confront and then heal for these people?

What do you think?