Remaining Biblically Rooted in a Social Gospel Era

It is no secret that the spiritual battle Paul spoke of in Ephesians 6:12 is viscerally felt in our world. This war is fierce, and it contends for one’s belief system, their daily practice, and their heart’s allegiance to root in more than just mere words. In an age where the Social Doctrine of this Age demands that the Gospel of the Kingdom of Yahweh bend and submit, how do we as followers of Christ respond? What does it look like to remain Biblically rooted in an age where it is not just unpopular, but often a danger not to align with the Social Doctrine of this Age?

What is the Social Doctrine of this Age?

The social doctrine or narrative of this age is one of shifting winds; it can change on a dime. Despite the ever-changing rhetoric and code of ethics, what remains constant is that it is the assumed and often demanded perspective of this world to keep the status quo intact. Practically speaking, it urges others to dismiss any previously held belief or assertion to realign with the socially accepted or applauded position of the current day. It is more than just going along with the crowd; it is the loss of a true foundation to remain firm in anything other than what is most popular at the time. For example, consider how even firmly held ideals of your childhood are now considered archaic or problematic, evidence of how quickly the Social Doctrine can shift positions. The Social Doctrine of this Age is not just a trend; it is an ever-evolving demand to comply.

Seeds that Root

Jesus explains through the Parable of the Seeds how people will respond to the Gospel of the Lord in Matthew 13:3-9,

“3 And He spoke many things to them in parables, saying, “Behold, the Sower went out to sow; 4 and as he sowed, some seeds fell beside the road, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Others fell on the rocky places, where they did not have much soil; and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns came up and choked them out. 8 And others fell on the good soil and *yielded a crop, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. 9 He who has ears, let him hear.”  

As we read these words, what we realize is that it is not a surprise that many hear the Word of God or are exposed to the truth of Christ, but they fall away. These gobbled up seeds, the ones that scorch away, or the loosely embedded are often the ones that find themselves a follower of the Social Doctrine of the Age because, without the rooting in Christ, they are swayed to what they are told is the moral and correct way of this world. Be it manipulation, guilt, gaslighting, or force, the Enemy will find a way to convince the seeds to surrender. The seeds that do find their rooting in the Good Soil, the Good News of God, yield great fruit, and when met with the Social Doctrine of the Age they are often persecuted, mocked, and challenged relentlessly not just by man, but by forces of evil. The question arises, how can we be both rooted seeds andbe ambassadors to share the Truth? Where do we even begin?

Truth Seekers

Much of staying rooted when the storms of life, the winds of opposition, and the pressures of society come requires arming oneself well. We can do this through the Armor of God Paul speaks of in Ephesians 6, and we can do this by becoming truth seekers. Approaching any topic with a healthy spirit of curiosity invokes our hearts to search for rock-solid truth so that we may stand on a firm foundation of faith. In application this can look like investigating scripture through its original language and context, and through a deeper understanding of why it was written. Humbly inquiring of the Holy Spirit for revelation is also key, for as much as we can ascertain that we know about a subject, there is always more than can be revealed, and it is the delight of God to extend unto us the uncovering of mystery. Paul encourages us greatly in this quest in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16,

“Yet we do speak wisdom among those who are mature; a wisdom, however, not of this age nor of the rulers of this age, who are passing away; 7 but we speak God’s wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; 8 the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory; 9 but just as it is written:

“Things which eye has not seen, and ear has not heard,
And which have not entered the human heart,
All that God has prepared for those who love Him.”

10 For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. 11 For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also, the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. 13 We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. 14 But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the one who is spiritual discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one. 16 For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.”  

These verses, in many ways, are the summation of navigation in an age where the Social Doctrine vies for our dedication. Instead of latching ourselves to the chains of folly, we instead embark on finding what is real, what is sacred, what is peace-giving, and what can enable our hearts to abide in true freedom. We then take that liberty and operate counter-culturally but full of spirit.

A Call to Live Differently

Going against the grain, against the pressures of the crowd, and against the demands of this age is not easy, but it is eternally worthwhile. In efforts not to upset the applecart, we often forfeit our own peace and state of mind, and we also are met with the regret of not sharing the precious gift of truth. Jesus warned us that in following Him we would meet with pushback, persecution, and penalty of this world, but we would also be the recipients of a peace beyond understanding, the presence of the Almighty God with us, and the produce (fruit) that can only come from a life indwelled in the Lord. The alternative is affirming to the Social Doctrine of the Age, where people pleasing is the undertone, for what is deemed correct or incorrect is always shifting. Going with the flow to constantly hold approval to the social current is your existence, and it is all-consuming. There is a great choice here, and it is one only you can make for yourself: will you remain Biblically rooted or socially swayed?