From My Perspective - - -
Forty-five years ago, a marketing effort by the Phillip Morris Company featured a new product – Virginia Slims Cigarettes - designed to appeal to young professional women. The commercial slogan was: “You’ve Come A Long Way Baby.” Their marketing was skillful. The first test market was San Francisco, California and originally scheduled for six-months. However, due to the success of the introduction of this product, they accomplished their goal in seven weeks.
When we think of the longest day of the year, June 21st, 2013, it not only marked the first day of summer but also a day utilized for Pagan Pursuits. In the Hartford (Connecticut) Courant, a news item stated that June 21st has become a significant day for the promotion of Pagan participation and promotion. The news article states: “Pagan is an over-arching term that includes Wiccans, Druids, Celtic Pagans, Norse Pagans, those who don’t specify a single tradition and others. Some practice alone; others gather in rituals as varied as the traditions they follow. The summer solstice is very important to the Druids…” What is the practice and tradition that is being embraced? The article continues: “Everyone gets in a circle, marked as a sacred space by walking around the edge of it with a sword or staff. The four elements – earth, air, fire and water – are honored as ancestors and the ‘universal creative force.’ There are prayers to the sun, a ‘Bard’s Blessing’ in which anyone can recite poetry or sing. The ritual closes with an expression of gratitude to ancestors, again, and the participants. The purpose is basically to give thanks to the Divine, or God, or whoever you call it, and to remind us that we all have a connection to the earth and the universe and each other…”
Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune contains an article that states: “100 Buddhas Rise From Vacant Lots In Hopes Of Calming City’s Violence As Part Of Art Project.” This is all done under the banner of “Ten Thousand Ripples”, a public art project that culminated last week when community activists installed the 100th statue of a partial Buddha head emerging from the ground…Since November, 300-pound emerging Buddhas have suddenly appeared as if rising out of the earth in ten neighborhoods across Chicago…” And then, we have an Associated Press report that states: “It seems Warner Brothers has taken Movie-Marketing to a whole new level – even higher than a bird or plane. The studio enlisted Christian-focused Grace Hill Media to promote ‘Man Of Steel’ to faith-based groups by inviting them to early screenings and creating trailers that highlight the film’s religious themes…and…to create a Superman-centric sermon outline for pastors titled – Jesus: The Original Superhero.” What is the thrust of this design and effort? The article goes on to say: “Let’s consider how Superman’s humble origins, his high calling and his transforming sacrifice point us to Jesus, the original Superhero…”
Are these things new to religion? No! In Acts 17:16-31, Paul is addressing those in Athens regarding their ignorance about God, and their practice of pagan rituals. In verses 22-25, Paul states: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To the unknown god. 'What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything…” The issue that Paul raises is that (a) the people are seeking righteousness absent the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and (b) the people are ignorant of The One True God. Paul had observed as he entered the city that “it was full of idols.” Also, in order not to offend any “god” that had become part of their culture and rituals, they erected an altar (Verse 23): “…with this inscription, To The Unknown God.”
At great risk, but with great commitment and determination, Paul proclaimed: “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” What about you? What do you say or do in light of the trends, directions, rituals, cultural malaise of our day? Do you ‘play it safe’ and say or do nothing? Or, are you willing to be engaged and presenting the True God Alternative and the Life-Changing-Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ? You cannot be neutral. What choice will you make…take? Consider these things with me.
No comments:
Post a Comment