The Ministry of Revolution Pt. 2
“Personal transformation can and does have global effects. As we go, so goes the world, for the world is us. The revolution that will save the world is ultimately a personal one.”
Marianne Williamson
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Romans 12:2 ESV
Part One of this series of the Ministry of Revolution dealt with the environment that birthed the revolutionary ministry of Jesus Christ. Many will be offended at my use of the term, “revolutionary”, in connection with the Life and mission of Christ Jesus. So, in this part, we want to define what a revolution is and identify its seeds in the Culture of Christianity.
Defining Revolution and Culture
As the objective stated in the introduction, I want to define what revolution is, but my first labor is to redefine how we look at Christianity. Ask any number of Christians, to define or explain what Christianity is, and you will get a number of explanations and definitions. Some will say Christianity is a religion, some a relationship, some a kingdom, some a body of people, the Church, the teachings of Jesus, etc. But all of these are components of what Christianity is.
Christianity is a CULTURE. Many will disagree, but Christianity on earth is a Culture.
I want to define “culture” from a sociological (study of society) aspect:
“Culture consists of the beliefs, behaviors, objects, and other characteristics common to the members of a particular group or society. Through culture, people and groups define themselves, conform to society’s shared values, and contribute to society. Thus, culture includes many societal aspects: language, customs, values, norms, mores, rules, tools, technologies, products, organizations, and institutions. This latter term institution refers to clusters of rules and cultural meanings associated with specific social activities. Common institutions are the family, education, religion, work, and health care.”(1)
“Culture can be conceived as a continuous, cumulative reservoir containing both material and non-material elements that are socially transmitted from generation to generation. Culture is continuous because cultural patterns transcend years, reappearing in successive generations. Culture is cumulative because each generation contributes to the reservoir.”(2)
The average Christian will immediately be able to identify the aspects of a Culture in Christianity. And, for those that cannot, I just want to further show the correlation between the two:
Culture consists of the beliefs, behaviors, objects, and other characteristics COMMON to the members of a particular GROUP or SOCIETY.
“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.” Acts 6:7 ESV
“strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” Acts 14:22 ESV
“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith…” 1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV
“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 ESV
When we see the definite article, “the”, in front of the word “faith”, it is implying more than just an assurance in belief, but more specifically a set or system of beliefs, a doctrine or theology. Does Christianity have a set of beliefs that are common amongst our body? Yes.
What are our BEHAVIORS? Let’s see.
“44And all who believed were together and had ALL THINGS IN COMMON.45And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Acts 2:44-47 ESV
This verse is one of the best examples of the social behavior of the Community of Christ, although there are many customs and ordinances that are held and observed by our Community, i.e., prayer, communion, baptism, etc.
So, it has been well established that Christianity has established behaviors that distinguish it from other societies.
Does Christianity have OBJECTS?
“aim: the goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable)”(3)
“7And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ 8Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay.”
Matthew 10:7-8 ESV
“19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing themin the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
In addition to the Great Commission, there is the object of the establishment of the Kingdom of God in the earth, and the ushering in and preparation of the earth for the Millennial reign of Christ.
Through culture, people and groups define themselves, conform to society’s shared values, and contribute to society.
We define ourselves by identifying ourselves and distinguishing ourselves in greater society. We can see this identification more specifically in Acts 11:26:
“26and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians.”
It was through our behavior in connection with our beliefs and objectives, that we were distinguished and identified as a group; later in years, we began to develop into the culture that we are today. Throughout Christianity’s history, you can see the gradual and perpetual development and evolution of a culture. That development and evolution were produced by the constant and continual contribution of successive generations of Christians; we also see Apostle Paul’s insight into this aspect of our culture:
“10 According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care of how he builds upon it. 11For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:10-11 ESV
“19So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone…”
Ephesians 2:19-20 ESV
Thus, we can see the clear and definitive correlation between Christianity and a Culture, which allows us to conclude that Christianity is a culture. Now, let’s define what a revolution is, and more specifically a SOCIAL REVOLUTION.
Sociological Definition of Revolution
“Revolution is not something that is created by political elites, but rather by ordinary people when they change the way they think and live.”(4)
“When enough people lose faith in an institution and begin to act as if it did not exist, that institution disappears.”
The definition of a revolution is:
a : a sudden, radical, or complete change b : a fundamental change in political organization; especially: the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed c : activity or movement designed to effect fundamental changes in the socioeconomic situation d : a fundamental change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something : a change of paradigm <the Copernican revolution>(5)
According to the definition of revolution, you must have an established social structure, political structure, and established institutions that perpetuated both, social and political agendas, in the society.
It doesn’t take a lot of research to recognize the established social and political structures of the Jewish people of Jesus’ time and identify the institutions that propagated both.
It is also an established fact that the mass majority of revolutions were direct results of the failure, corruption, and inadequacy of the social and political structures, and the depravity of the institutions that interpreted the ideals and principles of the leadership of those structures, in relation to the people of the society that those structures and their institutions were created to serve.
The seeds of revolution are cultivated in the sentiments of the members of the society when they begin to perceive the leadership and the institutions of the community as ineffective and out of touch with the real needs of the common people. When the leaders and the corrupted institutions become no longer servants of the people but become SELF SERVING.
This particular mentality is the root of a false classification system (classism), whereby the leadership begins to SEPARATE themselves from the welfare of the common man, and the needs of those whom they have been entrusted to govern; when compassion for the people turns into the CONTROL of the people, as a means of holding position and power; when the economic system set into place no longer serves the care and benevolence of the community and has become the personal ATM of the higher hierarchy; when the purpose of the institutions have ceased to be vital educational and social resources, and have been REVISED to propagate the subversive and secret agendas of those in control, and neither serve the interest of the people or produce improvements in conditions of that society or its people. This is the breeding ground for the revolution in that society.
Now, I want to highlight this sentiment in scripture so that we can see it in application. We need to go to the Book of Luke, chapter 1, verses 46-56, Mary’s Song of Praise. I want to put the spotlight on a few verses that express the sentiments of the Jewish society of Jesus’ time.
Look at verses 51- 53:
“51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.”
Can you see the implication of classism that was quite prevalent in Mary’s society, and how she viewed the birth of Jesus, her son, as a dramatic change in the established order?
Let’s also take a look at the Prophecy of Zacharias, Luke 1:67-80, and point out the specific verses:
“68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people.”
Redemption is usually connected to purchasing of a person or people under the hand of BONDAGE and OPPRESSION, to liberate them.
“70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old, 71 that we should be saved from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;”
“74that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,”
“79to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
From these two passages we are able to capture the heart of the people of the Jewish society at the time of Jesus, and their desperate and earnest desire for a radical change from the established norm. Yet, within this growing and predominant urgency of the people, was another seed taking root, the seed of the Body of Christ.
End of Part 2
References:
1. CliffsNotes.com. Culture and Society Defined. 30 Dec 2010
<http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/topicArticleId-26957,articleId-26848.html>.
2. Sociology Guide-A Students Guide To Sociology
3. wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn
