Christianity and Culture: Are We Seeing Clearly?

In a podcast many years ago, historian Tom Woods made an interesting observation. He said something like this: “We often talk about how Christianity has shaped America, but we should also consider how America has shaped Christianity.”

That idea has stuck with me. It raises a challenging question: Could it be that we often fail to hear Jesus clearly because we filter His words through the lens of our own culture?

We are all shaped by the time and place we live in. Culture shapes what feels natural, what seems right, and what we consider normal. This is not always bad—culture gives us traditions, community, and stability. But culture can also blind us. It can lead us to accept certain practices and attitudes without ever questioning if they truly align with God’s will.

A Biblical Example of Cultural Compromise

Genesis 16 gives us a powerful example of this reality. In that passage, Sarah convinces Abraham to father a child by using her servant Hagar. In their culture, this was a perfectly acceptable practice to secure an heir. It was a solution that fit the customs of their world.

While it was an acceptable practice, it was not the way of faith. God had promised Abraham and Sarah a child, but instead of waiting for God to fulfill His word, they settled for a culturally approved shortcut.

From our perspective in 21st century United States, it is easy to look back and see their error. But in their moment, Abraham and Sarah were doing something that made sense to them. They weren’t trying to rebel against God; they were trying to solve a problem within the framework their culture gave them.

How often do we do the same?

The Subtle Power of Culture

The danger of cultural compromise is that it rarely feels like compromise. It feels natural. It feels responsible. It feels like common sense. That’s why it is so easy for us to use cultural assumptions in our interpretations of biblical truth.

For Christians living in the United States, this challenge is especially subtle. American values—like individualism, consumerism, and the pursuit of success—are so deeply ingrained in us that we may not realize when they conflict with the way of Jesus.

For example:

• Do we measure a church’s faithfulness by its size and influence (an American metric), or by its obedience to Jesus’ commands (a kingdom metric)?
• Do we prioritize personal freedom over self-giving love, even though Jesus taught that true freedom is found in serving others?
• Do we accept violence, power, and dominance as necessary evils, forgetting that Jesus called us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us?

None of these cultural values are neutral. They shape the way we hear Scripture, the way we structure our churches, and the way we live our faith.

Following Jesus, Not an Americanized Christianity

The task before us, then, is to make sure we are truly following Jesus—not just an Americanized version of Christianity that baptizes our cultural assumptions with our cherry picked Bible passages. That requires humility. It requires discernment. And it requires a willingness to question the things we have been taught as “biblical” but may not actually come from Scripture.

Abraham and Sarah remind us how easy it is to be led by what feels normal instead of what God has promised. The same danger confronts us today. Will we trust Jesus enough to follow His way, even when it goes against the flow of our culture?

A Call to Self-Examination

Perhaps one of the most important spiritual disciplines we can practice is self-examination in light of Scripture. We need to ask:

• Am I believing this because it is biblical, or because it is cultural? 
• Does my discipleship reflect the values of the kingdom of God or the values of America? 
• Where might I be settling for what feels natural rather than waiting on the promises of God?

These are not easy questions. But they are necessary if we want to live faithfully as disciples of King Jesus.

The good news is that God is patient with us, just as He was patient with Abraham and Sarah. He invites us to step out of cultural conformity and into the radical life of faith, trusting that His way is better than anything our world has to offer.

Reflection

Take a moment to sit with this question: How has my faith been shaped more by culture than by Christ?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal blind spots where cultural assumptions have crowded out biblical truth. Then pray for the courage to follow Jesus even when it feels strange, unpopular, or countercultural.

“Lord Jesus, help me to see where I have settled for a comfortable, cultural version of faith instead of the radical way of Your kingdom. Give me eyes to see clearly, ears to hear Your voice, and a heart willing to obey—even when it goes against what feels normal. Teach me to live as Your disciple first and foremost. Amen.”

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

A Message to Proclaim: Living the Message

Text: 1 Peter 3:13–17

The core mission of the church—what God has called us to do—is to make disciples. And that disciple-making process begins with evangelism: proclaiming the Gospel.

But before we go further, let’s clarify what the Gospel is and isn’t. The Gospel is not simply, “You can be saved because Jesus died for you.”That way of saying it puts the focus on you. The Gospel is bigger than that. The Gospel is the Good News that God’s Kingdom has broken into the world through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

That Kingdom announcement carries huge implications:

• The brokenness of the world will be healed.
• Justice will be done.
• We are rescued from the consequences of sin. 
• Creation itself will be restored to God’s original design, with humans as His partners in stewarding it.

This is an incredible message. But let’s be honest—why would anyone believe it? Why should anyone accept that the death and resurrection of a man 2,000 years ago means tyrants will be overthrown, the oppressed set free, and eternal life offered to the world?

The answer is simple: they will believe it if they see it at work in our lives.

Erwin McManus once wrote:

“For too long we have hidden behind the rightness of propositional truth and have ignored the question of whether or not it works. Does the faith you advocate get you to God? If people are observing your Christianity and reserving allegiance to see what team actually wins, is there enough evidence in your life to cause a person to see Jesus as sufficient?” (An Unstoppable Force, p. 58)

That’s the heart of our challenge. Words matter, but our lives either verify or contradict the message we proclaim. If people don’t see us living as if Jesus is truly Lord, then why should they trust that our message is true?

The Call of 1 Peter 3:13–17

Peter wrote his first letter to believers in Asia Minor who were facing ridicule and persecution. They were “exiles” and “strangers” in the world, often suffering for their faith. Yet Peter encouraged them to stand firm—not by fighting back, but by living faithfully.

Here’s what he wrote:

“Who then will harm you if you are devoted to what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear or be intimidated, but in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that when you are accused, those who disparage your good conduct in Christ will be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God’s will, than for doing evil.” (1 Peter 3:13–17, CSB)

This passage highlights two key choices we must make if our lives are going to declare the Gospel.

1. Choose to Worship Jesus as Lord (vv. 13–15a)

Peter draws on Isaiah 8, where the prophet is told not to fear what the people fear, but to trust in God alone. Likewise, we are called to revere Christ as Lord—not just in song, but in the daily obedience of our lives.

Worship here is not limited to Sunday gatherings. It’s about setting apart Christ as the guiding authority of our lives. It means asking hard questions:

• Am I really trusting Jesus to lead me? 
• How does His lordship shape the way I spend my time, my money, my relationships? 
• Is He truly King—or just a good idea I admire when it’s convenient?

When we choose to worship Jesus as Lord, our lives begin to reflect the Kingdom we proclaim.

2. Choose to Live a Righteous Life (vv. 15b–17)

Peter also reminds believers to be ready to give a defense for their hope—but to do so with gentleness and respect. This defense is not only about having the right words. It’s about living in such a way that accusations fall flat.

In other words, our righteousness is itself a testimony. When critics slander Christians, it is our consistent goodness, humility, and compassion that prove the truth of the Gospel. Even if people don’t agree with us, they shouldn’t be able to deny the difference Christ makes in our lives.

This raises two questions for us today: 

• Could you explain the hope you have in Christ if someone asked?
• Does your life show that hope in a way that makes others curious?

Our world is full of accusations against the church, some deserved and some not. The best response isn’t defensiveness—it’s to live so faithfully that our actions speak louder than words.

Living Evidence of the Gospel

Think back to McManus’s question: Is there enough evidence in your life to cause a person to see Jesus as sufficient?

That’s what evangelism demands of us—not only words, but lives that align with the truth we proclaim. People are not won over simply by propositions. They are drawn by the visible transformation of people who walk with Jesus.

That means every Christian carries a responsibility: to live in a way that honors Christ. When the truth of Scripture is combined with the testimony of our lives, people begin to see what it looks like to follow Jesus—and why He is worth following.

A Prayer to Live the Message

Here’s a prayer from Colossians 1:9–10 (NLT) that captures the heart of this call:

“We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit.”

Our actions provide evidence for the truth of the Gospel. The question is: What story is your life telling?

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Are We Overusing the Word Demonic?

One of the more troubling trends I’ve noticed in Christian conversations is the habit of calling every viewpoint we dislike “demonic.” I’ve seen it applied to abortion, to “transgender ideology,” and to other cultural issues. While it’s true that evil spiritual beings influence the structures and patterns of this world, labeling everything we oppose as “demonic” is neither helpful nor accurate.

Why? Because the moment we throw out the word “demonic,” we effectively shut down dialogue. That label doesn’t invite conversation—it ends it. If I believe your position is demonic, then why would you listen to me? Why would you try to understand my point of view? Your only option is to resist me, rather than reason with me. 

As followers of Jesus, aren’t we called to do more than shout down our opponents? Aren’t we called to persuade, to love, and to embody the truth in ways that draw others in rather than drive them away?

There’s another danger, too. It’s easy to reserve the label “demonic” for ideas we already dislike while overlooking how evil spiritual forces influence things we personally support. For example, some Christians are quick to call abortion demonic, but slow to acknowledge the demonic influence behind war, nationalism, patriotism, racism, or unjust economic systems. If Satan truly masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), then his influence may be most dangerous where we least expect it—among the things we feel most comfortable with.

I’ll be honest: I struggle with this myself. Recently I shared a post on Facebook that said, “A person being murdered is only rationalized by the depraved and only celebrated by the demonic.” I could rationalize my sharing of that statement, and in one sense I do believe it captures truth. But it also reminded me how easy it is to use the word “demonic” to make a point. It feels strong and clarifying, but if I’m not careful, it can oversimplify complex realities or shut down conversation. I also fear that using the word “demonic” can dehumanize people on the other side. That tension between being helpful and creating barriers is exactly why I need to be cautious with my language.

This is where Paul’s example in Acts 17 is so helpful. When he stood in Athens surrounded by idols, he didn’t start by condemning their worship as demonic—even though idolatry is clearly opposed to God. Instead, he looked for common ground. “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious” (Acts 17:22). Rather than shutting the conversation down with a harsh label, he opened it up with respect and curiosity. He even quoted their own poets to build a bridge. Only after establishing that connection did he clearly point them to the true God and call them to repentance.

Paul shows us a better way. He didn’t deny the reality of spiritual darkness, but he also didn’t weaponize that truth to silence his listeners. Instead, he used it as a foundation for dialogue and an opportunity for witness. That’s the model we need today.

The Apostle Paul also reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle “is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Yes, there are spiritual powers at work behind the brokenness of this world. But recognizing that should make us humble, not careless with our words. It should drive us to prayer, discernment, and faithful living—not to weaponizing the word “demonic” as a way of dismissing those who disagree with us.

When Christians casually call opposing views “demonic,” we misrepresent the gospel. We risk treating people as enemies rather than fellow humans made in God’s image. We give ourselves an excuse not to love, not to listen, not to engage. Instead, we are called to see people as captives in need of liberation, not as enemies to be destroyed.

So the next time we’re tempted to use “demonic” as a quick label, let’s pause. Let’s remember that spiritual forces are at work everywhere—not just in the causes we oppose, but in the ones we embrace. And let’s choose the harder, better way: to engage with compassion, to reason with gentleness, and to bear witness to the kingdom of God without relying on shortcuts that shut the conversation down.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

Living in Light, Love, and Truth: Walking in Light

1 John 1:5–2:2

When was the last time you had to use your cell phone as a flashlight? Maybe you were rummaging around in the garage, trying to read a menu in a dimly lit restaurant, or searching for something in the backyard at night. Why did you need it? Because it was dark—and without light, you couldn’t see clearly.

That’s a picture of life in this world. As sinners living among other sinners in a fallen world, we encounter darkness every day. Sure, we may have Instagram-worthy moments that feel like sunny-day picnics, but the truth is, life often feels more like a midnight walk through the woods. On most days, we face more confusion, temptation, and brokenness than clarity and peace.

And here’s the problem: without light, we can’t move forward safely. Without light, we can’t see where we’re going—or even where the dangers are. That’s why we need something outside ourselves to light the way. Psalm 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God has provided light for our darkness—truth that reveals reality and guides us forward.

It is this idea of light that John starts the main part of his teaching: “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

God Is Light

When John says that God is light, he’s saying something profound. Light represents what is good, pure, true, beautiful, and holy. Darkness, on the other hand, represents evil, deception, and sin.

To say that God is light means:

• His character is good, pure, and beautiful.
• His word is true and trustworthy.
• He reveals the way of life.

In God there is no deception, no evil, and no sin. He is holy—and that holiness shines into our world to expose what is real.

This was not just a theological statement for John; it was practical. False teachers had infiltrated the early church. They claimed fellowship with God while living in sin. They claimed they had no sin to worry about. Some even claimed that sin didn’t matter because it only affected the body, not the spirit. John corrects these lies with the truth of who God is and what it means to walk in the light.

Three False Claims

John takes up three false claims the false teachers were making:

1. Claim: We can have fellowship with God while living in darkness. — John says no—if we walk in darkness while claiming to know God, we are deceiving ourselves. Fellowship with God is seen in how we live: walking in truth, resisting evil, and demonstrating God’s character.
2. Claim: We don’t have sin. — John says that if we deny our sin nature, we are lying to ourselves. The good news, though, is this: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1:9).
3. Claim: We have not sinned. — This is even more dangerous. To deny sin in our lives is to call God a liar and reject His word. Scripture is clear: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

John’s point is not that Christians will never sin. His point is that when we sin, we have an Advocate—Jesus Christ the righteous. His death on the cross atones for our sins, and not only for ours, but for the sins of the whole world.

What This Means for Us

So how does this speak into our daily lives?

1. Life makes sense through the reality of God. On our own, life often feels meaningless. Why do people do terrible things? Why do I struggle with behavior I know is wrong? Why does life sometimes feel empty? The answer is found in the light of God—through His word and through Jesus. He helps us make sense of the world and shows us how to live.
2. Living in the light is more about how we live than what we know. Right belief matters—but right belief is meant to lead to right living. There are people who can recite the creeds, quote Scripture, and defend doctrine, yet their lives are marked by pride, anger, or selfishness. Walking in the light is about demonstrating God’s character in everyday life: love, kindness, honesty, forgiveness.
3. We need humility. The danger John confronts is pride—a pride that says, “I’ve got it all figured out. I don’t struggle with sin. I don’t need correction.” Walking in the light requires humility: admitting that we still have darkness in us, that we still sin, that we still need God’s grace every day. The good news is that we don’t need to hide our sin or pretend it isn’t there. Jesus has already taken care of it.

Walking in the Light

Here’s the heart of it:

1. God is light—holy, pure, and true.
2. We cannot claim fellowship with Him and continue to walk in darkness.
3. Walking in the light means living honestly, humbly, and lovingly.
4. And when we do sin, we don’t deny it or despair over it—we bring it to Jesus, our Advocate.

This is the good news: The God who is light has made a way for us to walk in His light—through Jesus.

So let me leave you with two challenges:

• Personal: Practice walking in the light by confessing your sins honestly to God. Don’t excuse them. Don’t hide them. Bring them into His light, trusting His promise of forgiveness.
• Relational: Look for one way to demonstrate God’s character in your relationships. Be patient with someone who tests you. Show kindness when it isn’t deserved. Offer forgiveness when it’s hard.

Closing Thought

Imagine a room with every window shuttered and every light switched off. You can’t see the dust, the clutter, or the broken things. But when sunlight pours in, everything is revealed.

That’s what it means for God to be light. His light exposes our sin, but it also reveals our Savior. And that’s the hope of the gospel: Jesus, our Advocate, has already taken care of our sin.

So step into the light—live honestly, walk humbly, love deeply—and let God’s character shine through you into a dark world.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.