Friday, 03 December 2010
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A New Spin on “Taking Thoughts Captive”
By Sharon at SheWorshipsOne of my favorite verses in the Bible is 2 Corinthians 10:5:
We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
This verse has sustained me during a LOT of tough times. Whenever I have felt depressed or despairing, this verse has helped me to steel my mind against the lies that undoubtedly start to creep in–lies about myself, my friends, and God. So much of the way I think, feel, and see the world begins at the level of the mind. My perspective all hinges on what kinds of thoughts I dwell on, because those thoughts shape me in subtle yet profound ways. Which is why I have worked hard to fight off any thoughts that conflict with the character of God. By guarding my mind I also guard my heart, and my life.
This week, however, I noticed a completely different way of reading 2 Corinthians 10:5. Rather than interpret “thought” as an idea that originates in my brain and inhabits my personal thought life, it can also refer to a public teaching or societal set of beliefs that is outside myself, such as a secular worldview.
Why does this matter?
Have you ever noticed that the church is generally about 10 steps behind the culture? We like to say that we’re just preserving ourselves amidst secular moral decline, but in all honesty we’re usually just behind it. The reason the church often trails behind society is that many Christians refuse to engage ideas, methods or trends that are not explicitly Christian. Instead, we read Christian books and Christian magazines, listen to Christian music, and study Christian thinkers. We horde together in a Christian bubble and shelter ourselves from the outside world.
As a result of limiting ourselves to this relatively small circle of experience and thought, Christian culture does not benefit from the same range of ideas in the world. That’s why Christian contributions to the arts and the academy are so often looked down on by the rest of the world. It’s not a secular conspiracy. It’s because Christians aren’t exposing themselves to the wealth of artistic and intellectual resources out there, and our “fruits” betray us. In general, there isn’t the same depth or creativity that one finds in the mainstream.
In the face of this dilemma, 2 Corinthians 10:5 is a great reminder that we don’t need to hide from the culture. We shouldn’t feel pressure to preserve ourselves by existing in the spiritual equivalent of a padded room. Rather than hide from non-Christian ideas or trends, we are to engage them and even learn from them. If there is anything about an idea or practice that is hostile to the gospel then we can take those particular thoughts captive and make them obedient to Christ. We can tweak them and grow them, but we don’t have to fear them. Maybe then instead of trailing the culture, we can finally get ahead of it.
What do you think? Do you agree?
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About the Author
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- From: sheworships
- Name: Sharon
- About Me: Sharon Hodde Miller is a North Carolina girl, born and raised! She is originally from Charlotte, NC, and she received her undergraduate degree and Masters of Divinity from Duke University. Sharon has worked for Proverbs 31 Ministries where she was a contributing writer to the ministry’s daily devotions and radio broadcasts. She has written for Relevant Magazine’s online articles, Lifeway’s Collegiate Magazine, Ungrind Webzine, and she continues to write and minister to women all over the world about being a Christian woman in an ever-changing culture. Sharon currently lives in Durham, North Carolina with her husband, who is currently pursuing a Master of Divinity at Duke Divinity School. If you would like to contact her regarding a speaking or writing opportunity, if you have any questions, or would like to submit a blog topic, please e-mail her at sharon(at)sheworships(dot)com.
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Comments (4)
It's good for a boat to be in the water, but not the water to be in the boat.
Evangelism is definitely difficult without being able to connect with the other person.
Sorry I do not agree. Maybe I am not getting your point.....but I feel what you are saying is not biblical. As Christians we are to be in the world.....but not of the world. We are to be seen as different. Col 3:2 tells us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. Following Christ is not about keeping up with whatever our worldly culture is. We are not to focus on our worldly culture, but to live a Kingdom culture.
You mention that the world looks down on Christian contribution to arts and the academy.....that is kind of reassuring since Jesus said you will be hated by the world because the world hated Him. It seems from your post that you think Christianity should change to either fit in better or be accepted by the world. Sorry, so much of the church has embraced that line of thought and then people wonder why the church is powerless and irrelevant. We are supposed to be a light on a hill.......not just another street lamp on a world street.
Look at the New Testament church......is that what you see.......a group of folk concerned with embracing the culture of the day? And you say that we should engage the world and even learn from them......tell me, what is it that I should learn from the world? Jesus said take my yoke upon you and learn from Me..........that is who I want to learn from........I have enough of the world in me...... I'm trying to get rid of it....not embrace it more.
@Azn_Shenobi - this is well said
I agree with what you say to a point. But it seems you're placing too much importance on earthly ideas and innovation. I love science and technology, but the secular world seems to be focusing on the money to be gained from it rather than directly on benefiting as many people as they can. Focus on the latter and it won't matter how far ahead of you the others are, at some point you'll get ahead of them. Those who focus on earthly profits don't produce the all around most robust fruitful products anyway.