Being "contemporary"

Many in the religious world, usually young Christians, hail themselves as “contemporary” worshipers. The hallmarks of their worship typically include rock concerts, short devotionals, or “devos,” some food, furnished by the church, and socializing in a party-type atmosphere, which is advertised as “God-centered.” The truth of the matter is that they wish to be entertained with a little “God” sprinkled in as to make them feel good about Christ. Typically, these individuals have a shallow understanding of the Word of God and their lives are lived not knowing what is truly written.

I challenge Christians to understand that we are contemporary as well! Our lives are lived in the hear-and-now. We have knowledge and technology today which is more advanced than the ones in ancient times. I also challenge Christians to realize that we live in a world today where the message of salvation is still as alive today as it were 2000 years ago, making it contemporary as well. While Time magazine may want to claim that God is dead, Hebrews 4:12 firmly states that “God is living and active” in lives. We can still see evidences of that today.

The evidence surrounds us. “For his invisible attributes, namely his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they were without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things” (Romans 1:19-23).

There are many in the world who claim to be “contemporary” Christians and wear it as a badge that they’re different than other Christians when in reality, they have chosen a little food for their belly, a little song for their heart, and some time with other worldly friends under the guise of Christ, even though they do not truly know who He is through their own chosen ignorance.

A true Christian is truly contemporary regardless of age or century -- not contemporary through ignorance or self-indulgence -- but in following Christ as we have been instructed by example, command, and studious interpretation.

Lance Byers