Hard Core Christians in a Changing Culture
Language changes quickly, and familiar phrases can take on surprising meanings. This reflection uses shifting slang to point toward a deeper question: what influences us, and what kind of core convictions should shape faithful followers of Christ?
- Words and phrases often change meaning in unexpected ways.
- Christians are called to be influenced by the Spirit rather than by the culture around them.
- Hard core Christians should stand firm with courage, conviction, and love.
By David Faust
Old fuddy-duddies beware: Our language keeps changing. Have you noticed how words and phrases get turned around until they mean the opposite of what you expect?
My wife Candy asked a young woman how long she had been seeing her boyfriend. “For a minute,” her young friend responded. Surprised, Candy said, “Really, you’ve only been together a short time?” “No,” a bystander explained, “‘A minute’ means a long time,” and the young woman clarified, “We’ve been together several months.” (I have lived a lot of minutes, but I wasn’t familiar with that piece of urban slang.)
Under the Influence
We used to consider attractive individuals “cool,” but now they are “hot.” Old fuddy-duddies wonder, What temperature are we supposed to be, anyway? It’s confusing when someone says, “That’s really bad” and you realize they meant, “That’s really good.”
Sick refers to illness or strong distaste (“that makes me sick”), but in today’s slang it can mean something impressive and awe-inspiring (“that basketball player’s jump-shot was sick!”).
What about the phrase “adults only” or “for mature audiences only”? Shouldn’t these expressions imply a high degree of maturity and self-control? Instead, adult entertainment has come to mean something tawdry and adolescent.
Here’s another example: “under the influence.” Motorists get arrested for driving under the influence—intoxicated by alcohol or drugs. But aren’t we all under the influence of something or someone? The Bible says, “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18, New International Version). We’re influenced by what we read, what we hear, and the role models we follow. We need trustworthy leaders whose examples influence us to “follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
Another unfortunate twist is the way our culture uses the phrase “hard core.” Today those words imply sexual perversion at its raunchiest—the worst kind of pornography and debauchery. But it’s a shame that “hard core” carries evil connotations, because all of us ought to possess a solid core of convictions (honesty, courage, faithfulness, and other positive traits). We need leaders who stand strong for what is right when the winds of falsehood blow like a hurricane. Hard core Christians love the Lord deeply and give themselves wholeheartedly to the cause of Christ. They don’t submit to Satan’s bullying. They are pioneers, not push-overs.
Strong and Courageous
Hard core Christians are “rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith” (Colossians 2:7). They have the moral fortitude to say “No” to “ungodliness and worldly passions” and live “self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age” (Titus 2:12). They take seriously Paul’s admonition: “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love” (1 Corinthians 16:13, 14).
The culture around us may not consider values like these “cool” or “hot,” but we should pursue them tenaciously—even if it takes a minute.
Author: David Faust
David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of Not Too Old: Turning Your Later Years into Greater Years.
