Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 4/30/2005

Question
PLease explain the ideas of the the cultural Mandate as laid out by D. James Kennedy.  Is it something a Fundamental Baptist should embrace?

Answer
    I gather you are referring to what is on this web site.

http://www.reclaimamerica.org/PAGES/fastfacts/CulturalMandate.pdf

    I have not read it thoroughly but at first glance it appears to be a reaffirmation or application of the Great Commission except that we have missed a great part of it over the years.

    Are we to be salt and light?  Salt and light usually permeates or fills whatever or wherever it contacts or touches so we should take salt and light into all the world.
Since there is no such thing for the Christian as secular and sacred them we should be in all aspects of this life as being in the world but not of the world.

    The major problem with today's Christian activism is that it puts too much emphasis on attacking the symptoms of diseases in the society rather than the root causes.  The legislation we see is the result of our failure to win people to Christ. If the population were 85% strong Bible believers there would no issues to attack for our legislators would be Christians themselves and the majority of voters would not vote for the insane things that we see today. 85% claim to be Christians but most are nominal at best and heretical at worst.

      We started losing the cultural battle when we lost the public schools.  75% of all children raised in Christian homes turn away from the faith around two years after graduation.  Why?  They have been taught evolution, situation ethics, etc etc for far more hours than they ever were taught Christian values.  

      Most parents seem to have abdicated the training of their children and allocated that task to the school and the church.  The church often only has them for two hours a week and the public school hell hole has them 35 or more.  Then they go off to a secular or nominal Christian school and hear the same stuff and that is the end of their faith.  

      I don't know that we have to jump on anyone's cultural mandate bandwagon or program, but the premise of being salt and light in all aspects of life is sound theology.  That mandate was given to us 2,000 years ago and many have dropped the ball.  The Great Commission is still valid.

       Notice that Paul did not condemn or advocate slavery and even send Philemon back to a Christian slave owner.  That was a cultural issue that neither Christ or any of the Apostles spoke to at all.  Their mission was to change hearts and souls and then those saved people will change their society provided they have a correct understanding of Scripture.

       Just think, if folks would not have tried to mix OT and NT there might have never been slavery in America and imagine the changes that would caused in our current society.  No angry folks seeking reparations and no need for Civil Right marches or bills.  There would have been no problem so no need for a fix.

       We would have still had War of Northern Aggression.  The only difference is that the truth about the War wouldn't be clouded by the victors in an issue that was not a major cause of the War.  Of course, if there had been a correct understanding of Scriptures in the lives of folks back then starting in about 1800 there might not have been the other problems in 1860 either.

       Christ in the hearts/souls of men and sound doctrine in the minds/hearts of men brings salvation to both men and their societies. It is possible to have one without the other but unless both are present there will be Hell for men, society or both.

       A fundamental Baptist should embrace his call and mandate from God and if other men embrace that call fine, but if not he must do so alone.

       I trust this has been of some help to you. May God richly bless you as you study His Word and fulfill His mandates.

Bro. Ron
www.mavmin.org