Christian Parent, Crazy World

In today's increasingly secular world, many Christians grapple with understanding how to live faithfully amidst cultural changes that stray further from biblical truths. What are the characteristics of a "lost" or "Babylonian" culture, and how can believers navigate these complexities while staying true to their faith?

Catherine welcomes Martyn Iles, the CEO of Answers in Genesis, to delve into these pressing questions.

Drawing from a rich tapestry of primary biblical narratives, Martyn provides a clear analysis of what defines Babylonian culture throughout history and how these traits resonate in modern society. Martyn presents an eye-opening exploration of pride, idolatry, moral decay, and spiritual conflict, offering listeners practical insights and timeless truths for living out their faith in contemporary "Babylon-like" environments.

Martyn notes the striking similarities between ancient Babylon and today's cultural landscape. He emphasizes the need for Christians to recognize these characteristics and remain steadfast, much like Daniel and his friends, who navigated the challenges of living in a godless culture with unwavering faith.

Key Takeaways:

1.     Pride and Rebellion Against God: Modern culture mirrors the pride and rebellious spirit of ancient Babylon, where self-glorification often trumps humility before God.

2.     Idolatry and Self-Worship: Today’s society idolizes self-identity, personal success, and material wealth, paralleling Babylon's historical focus on worshiping created things over the Creator.

3.     Fear and Existential Anxiety: Despite advancements, contemporary society is plagued with existential fear and anxiety, drawing a parallel to the uncertainties of Babylonian times.

4.     Attempts to Usurp Divine Authority: Humanity’s efforts to control nature and exert god-like influence reflect a deeper rebellion against God's sovereignty.

5.     Opposition to the People of God:

o   Both ancient Babylon and modern cultures often stand antagonistically against Biblical values and beliefs.

6.     The Call to Live Faithfully: The story of Daniel offers a model for Christians to maintain faith and integrity amidst societal pressures and hostility.

Navigating a culture that mirrors the lost characteristics of Babylon can feel overwhelming. But just like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, we are called to stand firm in our faith, teaching our children to do the same. By recognizing the parallels between ancient and modern times, we can equip our families with the truth and wisdom needed to thrive spiritually in a modern Babylon. We must remember that even in a lost culture, God’s presence and guidance are unwavering.

BIO: Martyn Iles is an Australian-born lawyer, commentator, and the Executive CEO of Answers in Genesis. Previously the co-founder of a not-for-profit law firm specializing in religious freedom cases, he also led one of Australia’s largest grassroots political movements through a 5-year period of remarkable growth. Martyn became known for his many gospel-focused appearances in the Australian mainstream media and for his online programs, Living in Babylon, The Truth of It, and Truth in 10. Martyn has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Queensland and a Master of Laws from the Australian National University.

EPISODE RESOURCES:

We live in a time when political conversations can be not just divisive, but downright contentious. It feels like maintaining a calm, respectful demeanor amid this politically charged environment is becoming harder by the day, especially with today’s election.

Divisive rhetoric permeates everyday conversations. Families and friendships are straining under political disagreements, and often they break. Television, the air waves, the internet, and social media have become battlegrounds for conflicting political views. With 76% of Americans believing that the country is heading in the wrong direction and 63% of people avoiding political conversations altogether due to potential conflict, our communities and families are under pressure like never before.

Maintaining a grace-filled witness during politically charged conversations is one of the greatest challenges Christians face in today’s polarized world. How do we share our views without losing our cool or compromising our faith?

Catherine tackles the delicate issue of engaging in political discussions in a way that honors Christ by offering 7 practical guidelines. They are:

1. Prioritize people over political positions. Our faith must lead our political views, not the other way around.
2. Listen to understand. Truly hearing out the other side can bring unexpected empathy and insight.
3. Avoid ridicule and demonstrate honor. Respect is key in sustaining any dialogue.
4. Be constructive. Offering solutions instead of criticism can transform the conversation.
5. Critique methods, not motives. This keeps the focus on actions, not personal attacks.
6. Build bridges. Connection, not conversion, should be our goal.
7. Pray for our country and its leaders. This keeps our efforts grounded in faith.

With powerful personal anecdotes, Catherine encourages listeners to embody these principles, offering a path forward for believers to engage in political conversations that reflect Christ’s love. But most importantly, Catherine reminds listeners that neither a donkey nor an elephant can save this country… rather, we need a lamb. A spotless lamb.

There's a topic that the church rarely addresses because it challenges long-held beliefs and practices. That topic is...

Domestic abuse.

And the failure of some church to protect victims.

The statistics and stories are heartbreaking. Churches should be sanctuaries, yet when it comes to domestic abuse, this isn’t always the case. Despite Biblical teaching on love, care, and justice, domestic abuse remains a hushed reality in some Christian communities. Victims often face isolation, shame, and a lack of genuine support inside their faith communities, making it difficult for them to find safety and healing.

In this episode, Catherine is joined by Nancy Pearcey, an acclaimed scholar and author known for dissecting cultural issues from a Christian perspective. Nancy shares her insights on transforming churches into safe havens for women, particularly those experiencing domestic abuse. Her book The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes explores the damaging cultural narratives about men and calls for a more biblical understanding of masculinity.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS:

Eileen Gray's Case: The episode opens with the heart-wrenching story of Eileen Gray, illustrating some churches’ failure to support victims of abuse.

Financial Dependency of Churches: Catherine and Nancy discuss how financial dependencies can influence churches to prioritize abusers over victims.

35-Year Longitudinal Study: Nancy mentions a study that found fathers have a significant impact on their children’s faith, especially when they are positively involved.

Critique of Darwinian Theory: Nancy discusses how Darwinian theory and societal stereotypes have contributed to harmful views of masculinity.

Impact of Cultural Influences: The episode looks at cultural figures like Andrew Tate and Myron Gaines, who promote toxic masculinity ideals, and the need for a biblical response.

Biblical Understanding of Masculinity: Both Catherine and Nancy advocate for a healthy, biblical view of masculinity and firmly condemn any form of abuse.

Call to Action for Listeners: Listeners are encouraged to ensure their churches are safe havens and to leave any church that advises victims to stay in abusive relationships.

Our churches should be sanctuaries, not battlegrounds for justice. If you or someone you know has been affected by domestic abuse, or you’re passionate about creating safer church environments, don’t miss this compelling discussion.

Our modern culture often argues that Christian teachings on marriage and femininity are oppressive or out of touch. But if we peel back the layers of history, we discover a different story. The early Christian faith dramatically improved the lives of women.

In this episode of CP/CW, Catherine is joined by prolific author and apologist Nancy Pearcey,  who sets the record straight about the historical impact of Christianity on women. Nancy sheds light on the drastic differences between the treatment of women in ancient societies and the newfound dignity and status they received within the early Christian community.

Key highlights include:

Reformation of Roman Practices: Nancy explains how men in ancient Rome freely exploited women, and how the early church radically opposed this by advocating for the respect and dignity of women in marriage.

Symmetry in Marriage: Hear about the New Testament teachings where Paul promotes equality in marriage, a concept that was unheard of during that time.

Elevated Status: Discover why women found refuge and higher status in the early Christian church compared to ancient Roman society.

Age of Marriage: Learn about how the Christian emphasis on raising the age of marriage from 12 to 18 greatly benefited young girls in the New Testament period.

Jesus' Revolutionary Actions: Nancy takes us through instances in the Gospels where Jesus broke cultural norms by valuing and honoring women, providing a stark contrast to the prevailing views of the time.

Modern Implications: Understand the surprising findings that show committed evangelical couples today experience the lowest rates of divorce and domestic abuse, contradicting the modern stereotype of evangelical men as patriarchal and abusive.

Ongoing Global Impact: Delve into sociological studies that reveal how Christian teachings have empowered poor women more effectively than many modern feminist movements, particularly in developing countries.

Understanding the radical teachings of the New Testament regarding women opens our eyes to the genuine freedom and dignity that Christianity offers. Over centuries, these teachings have profoundly transformed societies, raising the status of women across the globe. The data and historical evidence contradict the contemporary narrative that the Christian faith is oppressive to women. In reality, it provides a transformative power that elevates, empowers, and dignifies women in ways that are both historically and presently significant.

In a world that is openly hostile to masculinity, does our faith offer a remedy? And what do we as Christian parents need to teach our sons and daughters?

Consider these shocking examples of male-bashing in our culture: