Where vicious words were being used by the world to tear down others, the church should be set apart as those who use words to give grace and build up in a way that fits the occasion (Eph. 4:29). Where allegations of racism were being thrown around liberally, the church should be setting the example for what it looks like to live in harmony and love (Eph. 2:11-18). Where a silent divide was being heightened between political parties, the church ought to be those unreservedly devoted to the King who bought them and is the ruler of the universe. 

The current climate of our culture is alarming. The lost art of disagreeing without vilifying somebody seems to be something of the past. Social networking has given a voice to everyone, but few use that voice well.

Whether it has to do with politics, religion, or pop culture, the most common mode of communication seems to be hatred. The general modus operandi these days is for everyone to have an opinion about something, and anyone who disagrees is instantly an enemy. In one sense, this is absolutely disheartening. Yet, in another sense it should be expected from a world that is hostile towards God (Rom. 8:7-8).

The body of Christ should give grace.

As this cultural climate began to rise a few years ago, I remember thinking what an exciting time this was in which to live. The people of God—Christ’s blood-bought bride found in local churches across our country—should be the light on the hill with the fruit of the Spirit, standing out among such ugliness.

Where vicious words were being used by the world to tear down others, the church should be set apart as those who use words to give grace and build up in a way that fits the occasion (Eph. 4:29). Where allegations of racism were being thrown around liberally, the church should be setting the example for what it looks like to live in harmony and love (Eph. 2:11-18). Where a silent divide was being heightened between political parties, the church ought to be those unreservedly devoted to the King who bought them and is the ruler of the universe.

Yet, as many reading this know, if someone who is not a follower of Jesus logged in to Twitter and began reading threads between the prominent voices in Christianity, it would seem that the present climate of the church is not much different from the world. In fact, in a time that I was personally excited to live because I believed the gospel was going to be a soothing remedy to so much hate in the world, where I thought the church would stand out as a light in the midst of darkness, it doesn’t take long to see that this isn’t reality.

Don’t hear me wrong; there are many faithful local churches exalting the name of Christ, shepherding their people well through these issues, and living as a light to the nations. But in regard to the popular Christian landscape, it appears that wild shoots are growing in abundance and little fruit is bursting forth.

We have lost the art of conversation.

When I was in seminary years ago, the one thing a professor of mine labored to teach and make clear as a non-negotiable was the art of conversation. I was taught to hear people’s views on something, seek to ask clarifying questions, repeat their position in a way with which they themselves would agree, and then lovingly share my disagreements and why. At the end of the conversation, we could still be friends and talk again about these things.

The opposite seems to be the norm in the church right now. Allegations are raised on social media, the thread of character assault ensues, and the onlooking world moves on to something else. Have we forgotten the simple yet profound words of Jesus when he told his disciples,

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35).

Jesus’ words here don’t seem to contain a prerequisite for agreeing on specific cultural issues; rather, Jesus is giving a command that makes very clear to the onlooking world to whom our allegiance belongs by the way we love one another.

Read More