Review: As we have been learning, secularization is the process by which religious ideas, institutions, and interpretations have lost their social significance. In a secularized society, while our religious beliefs may still be held privately, the social significance is lost. As innocuous as such a perspective may seem to a pluralistic society such as ours, if we fail to understand what secularism brings with it - what changes it brings to the emotional and intellectual wellspring of individuals and nations - Ravi says that we will find ourselves living in constant contradiction. He encourages us to perceive the risks of secularization and to respond with informed beliefs and biblical understanding.It is for this reason that we took a detour last Sunday and discussed the authority of the Scriptures as an absolute standard for Truth and moral judgment. Actually, it was my intent to have a discussion, but I didn’t do such a good job. There was too much of me talking and not enough discussion. Sorry about that . It was my intent to remind us that it is crucial that we understand that the Bible is the authentic and inspired Word of God communicated to us, even though there is much that we will not understand this side of heaven.
Preview: This week we will discuss how we, as individuals and as a society, sometimes allow the ideas that we toy with to gain authority over us, as we try to guard our souls against the incursions of the world, the flesh, and the devil. We imagine that they will not destroy us. But what starts as a simple suggestion or a tantalizing emotion, if it is fed with a wild imagination, can grow into an expression of the will that can wreak havoc upon our lives. And if we toy with them long enough, the world’s values will bring serious hurt, forcing us to cry out, “Lord, deliver us from evil!”
Questions for discussion:
Let’s come prepared to discuss these important questions and issues!