Austin moved to Bend in July 2008 with his wife Sara and two boys Dominick (3) and Nolan (1). He taught math and coached baseball in public high schools for 7 years, but left that profession when moving to Bend to join the family real estate business. He grew up in Texas going to Bible believing churches and made his first profession of faith when he was 15 years old. Austin loves studying and teaching the Bible, math and baseball.
Outline & Notes
American idols, avatars, clashes with titans, celebrity gossip, Super Bowls... Our culture has become more and more enamored with ancient forms of pagan idolatry, while growing less and less knowledgeable of Biblical truth. What is paganism and how has it come to pervade our culture? How can we stand firm in our faith while sharing the gospel with the pagans among us? Fortunately, the entire Bible was written in the context of that very question and provides all the answers we need.
1. What is pagan idolatry?
a. Many forms, but consistently deistic (hero-worship), moralistic, cruel and obsence. (pantheism, animism, environmentalism, utopianism, naturalism, etc.)
b. Shares much in common with Biblical truth, but different interpretations
2. How has paganism grown in its influence?
a. Relativism – created need for a convenient, non-judgmental, consistent worldview
b. Information Age – quickly accessible knowledge, but very base understanding
c. Examples:
i. Rise in popularity of paganistic movies/shows (Batman, Avatar, Clash of Titans, Harry Potter, Marvel movies, House, etc)
ii. Presidential campaigns
iii. Celebrities, athletes (cultural heroes)
iv. Passionate political debates (climate change, abortion, gay marriage, health care, etc.)
v. Whole foods
vi. “Community” popular, “Friends” dead
3. How does the Bible instruct us?
a. Put God first (1st two commandments)
b. Study the Word (Josiah)
c. Spread the gospel fast (Acts)
d. Stay centered on the simple gospel truth (Heb 12:2)
e. Don’t give credence to idols, but give it to relationships (1 Cor 8)
Discussion Questions1.In what ways do you notice pagan influences around you (at school, home, media, etc)?
2.How do you respond to the pagan influences and the people influenced?
3.In what ways can you stand firm in Biblical truth without removing yourself from culture?
4.In what ways can you teach pagans the gospel more effectively?
ReferencesBiblical:
1.King Josiah (2 Kings 22)
2.The Book of Acts
3.1st Corinthians
Extra-Biblical:
1.Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, Christian Smith 2005
2.The Rise of the Apres Post – Nate Cartel (unpublished)
3.www.albertmohler.com
4.Origins of Pagan Idolatry, George Stanley Faber, 1816
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