Why is it that in recent years (from what I've noticed in my lifetime and read about) we as evangelical Christians have viewed the world as sacred/secular? It seems that we see everything as either good or bad, God's or not God's, sacred calling or secular calling. We have consistently upheld the local church and it's clergy. By clergy I mean the people who's full time work week is devoted to work in the local church and receive salary from the church as primary means of income. I mean, we see the pastors and missionaries and youth ministers and children's directors as having a more "holy" calling or vocation than the rest of us businessmen or janitors or cooks. This common view extends beyond the church, although not as strong, to those working for parachurch organizations or non profit Christian ministries. We have seperated everything into either "sacred" or "secular" categories and we put everything in them; music, books, education, little trinkets you can buy on HSN.
Let me take this time to say I do appreciate what these retail websites do, certain books are with certain retailers. I wear a ring that has the five words of worship on it, obviously from a retailer that sells items relating to Christianity. These are God-honoring vocations and organizations. The place I find myself thinking "huh" is where I hear about "secular" music artists making it big or my neighbor's son who "feels a call to the ministry". We place those people who's calling is to preach or go to a foreign country on a pedestal. This has become an epidemic within the evangelical community. I strongly argue against this notion. Paul makes it very clear in his letter to the Colosians "Whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col 3:17). If a man is a trashman, he should be the best trashman there is, do it with all his ability. If a man is to be a businessman, he should be the best businessman there is. In Paul's letter he says, "whatever you do...do it all." That's pretty all inclusive.
Now there are limits to what a calling could be. Obviously if you can't do something in the name of the Lord Jesus, then it's not a true calling. Drug dealers, prostitutes, professional killers, these are things which could not be God honoring. Still, no vocation is looked at by God as more "sacred" or more "secular". God calls us follow Him wherever He might lead us, whether that be to the marketplace or to the church office.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
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