Culture or Christ?

Last updated on: July 16, 2026 at 10:59 am by Richard E. Simmons III

Culture or Christ? 2026-07-16T10:59:59-06:00 Richard E. Simmons III

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

More than twenty years ago, I read a remarkable book titled Culture Shift by David W. Henderson. Recently, I picked it up again and began thumbing through its pages. I was struck by how relevant one of its central truths remains today—perhaps even more so than when it was first written.

Published in 1998, nearly three decades ago, Culture Shift addresses two biblical ideas that speak powerfully to a culture captivated by media.

The first is that we must allow God—not Bart Simpson, Netflix, social media, or the endless stream of digital entertainment—to define reality for us. Henderson could not have anticipated today’s world of smartphones, streaming platforms, and social media algorithms, yet his warning seems almost prophetic. Henderson points out how the Apostle Paul cautions us how easy it is for us to allow those around us to stay unentangled with the world, to keep the proper perspective. He says, “Set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things on earth.”

Paul reminds us that one of the greatest gifts we can offer people is a biblical perspective. Scripture helps us make sense of life’s deepest questions and hardest realities in a way nothing else can. Rather than allowing the culture around us to define truth, we are called to continually point people back to God’s Word, which reminds us what is real, what is true, and what ultimately matters.

The second idea that Henderson offers is that people need to be prodded out of passive distraction to a passionate pursuit of the full-color, three-dimensional life that God has offered us. One of the major verses in the New Testament is John 10:10 where Christ offers us an abundant life. It is a better life than we have ever dreamed of.

Ultimately, the life of electronics distracts and disconnects us from real life and it makes us discontent. How different this is from the life Jesus offers us. The world of movies and television says, “I have come to take you out of life.” Jesus says I have come to give you full life and to see you invent your daily life with meaning and purpose.

Jesus redeems life. He does not remove us from life. He doesn’t offer us a life free of hardships. However, he does promise to bring good to us out of the difficulties we face. He doesn’t offer us a life of success and self-fulfillment but one of deep contentment, unwavering purpose, solid joy and fulfillment in Him. He doesn’t offer us glamour or fame, the big bucks of celebrity life. But He does extend to us the bright promise of forgiveness, healing, and a new life.

This is not wishful thinking or a comforting fairy tale. It is the life-changing truth of the gospel. Every day we decide which voice will shape our lives—the endless distractions of our culture or the enduring truth of Christ. One leads to temporary escape; the other leads to abundant life. The question each of us must answer is not simply, “What is this worth to me?” but, “Which life am I choosing to pursue?”

Richard E Simmons III is the founder and Executive Director of The Center for Executive Leadership and a best-selling author.

Uncategorized

Previous Post

July 9, 2026

Death and Birth

Next Post

July 24, 2026 The Sacredness of Sex

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Character Development Inspiration Leadership Life Purpose Personal Growth Relationships Seeking God Spiritual Truth The Bible True Masculinity Uncategorized Wisdom

Select a Month October 2026 September 2026 August 2026 July 2026 June 2026 May 2026 April 2026 March 2026 February 2026 January 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What does Paul tell Timothy to fan into flame?

Select your answer to see how you score.

His zeal The Holy Spirit The gift of God His faith