The Enlightenment (1648-1789)

audio | discussion questions

We are on mission for Jesus. We don’t just send people with the gospel to another culture. We all are sent to our own culture with the gospel. The gospel of Jesus calls us to be for our city— including its culture and people.

Some churches are of the culture. They so embrace the culture that they lose their distinctiveness. Some churches are against the culture. They so oppose the culture that they lose their relevance. And some churches are above the culture. They so super-spiritualize life that they lose their point of contact. On the other hand, a church for the culture engages the culture in order to transform it by the power of the gospel, for the glory of Jesus, and for the good of the city.

Study your own culture’s literature, philosophy, music, and politics. Reflect on the real-life conversations and critical reasoning you face. Learn to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity, with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.

audio | discussion questions