I recently read an article in which the author sought to briefly answer the question, “What will be the main theological issue facing us in the next few years?”
Go ahead and give that some thought. It’s a worthwhile question to ponder as we seek to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. (VBS fans—Did you read that with a nasal-ly tone?) Often, maybe even always, the main theological issues will emerge as the main cultural issues because most seek to answer these issues in their flesh rather than in the power of the Spirit. As you contemplate your own answer, consider the cultural issues we face today. What is the primary theological issue behind the majority of them?
The article’s author phrases the first part of his answer this way, “It’s been said that the main issue in the first millennium was, ‘Who is Jesus Christ?’ In the second millennium, the question became, ‘How are we saved?’ And now, as we are into the third millennium, the question is and will continue to be, ‘What is a human being?’”
‘What is a human being?’ That is a great question to ponder! And one that we consider and answer multiple times throughout the day within our thoughts and actions, often without even realizing it. As soon as I wake up and am confronted with my to-do list, or even before that, as I stare at my reflection in the mirror, I must remember who gets to define me. Am I defined by what I do, my accomplishments? Am I defined by how I look, my youth, and beauty? Or am I defined by a standard that never changes, something outside of myself?
Certainly, ‘What is a human being?’ is a question worth pursuing, but we cannot answer adequately or accurately unless we first ask and answer the question from the first millennium, ‘Who is Jesus Christ?’
Ladies, we’ll ask and answer ‘Who is Jesus Christ?’ many times over the course of our meetings and weeklong study of the Gospel of John over the next year, and consequently, we’ll come away with a deeper understanding of what it means to be a human, fearfully and wonderfully created in the image of God for His glory and created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.