The "laity" may bring
truth back into our culture
The practical reclamation of truth is not only a theological but
also a cultural task. The church must stop being shaped by the
culture and once again start shaping the culture. This does not
mean that the church should try to take over the kingdoms of
this world--that would mean more of the kind of cultural
religion we have today.
For Christians to influence the world with the truth of God's
Word requires the recovery of the great Reformation doctrine of
vocation. Christians are called to God's service not only in
church professions but also in every secular calling. The
task of restoring truth to the culture depends largely on our
laypeople.
To bring back truth, on a practical level, the church must
encourage Christians to be not merely consumers of culture but
makers of culture. The church needs to cultivate Christian
artists, musicians, novelists, filmmakers, journalists,
attorneys, teachers, scientists, business executives, and the
like, teaching its laypeople the sense in which every secular
vocation-including, above all, the callings of husband, wife,
and parent--is a sphere of Christian ministry, a way of serving
God and neighbor that is grounded in God's truth. Christian
laypeople must be encouraged to be leaders in their fields,
rather than eager-to-please followers, working from the
assumptions of their biblical worldview, not the vapid clichés
of pop culture.
Today's postmodern culture may seem formidable, but it is
floundering and sterile, admittedly without basis and without
direction. Christian culture-makers, whether as artists or as
parents, do have a basis and a direction. Through their
creativity, high standards, and sense of vocation, Christian
laity, properly prepared and supported, may well bring back
truth into the culture.
- Gene Edward Veith, Here We Stand, Catechesis,
Preaching, and Vocation (an essay from the book)
