I visited a seminary in Texas when I was deciding where to train for the ministry. The guide took me to the chapel and in the foyer pointed out a curiosity. On the wall was an old, life-sized painting of the seminary’s first president. Originally, he was painted holding a great big cigar in his hand. But a few years ago they had “edited” the cigar out of the painting. Several interesting points could be illustrated by this painting. For instance, we like to cover up the ugly parts of our past. And sometimes leaders hide their weaknesses and sin. But this painting also illustrates our culture’s changing attitude toward smoking. Smoking used to be generally accepted. Now, the cultural police think the greatest evils in life are smoking and junk food. But I don’t think Jesus would agree.

It is a historic day in America. The first African American has been elected President of the United States. And for that, I am glad. I just wish it were not Barak Obama. I believe his presidency will not be good for America. Not because he’s black, not because he’s a Democrat, and not because he’s incredibly liberal. But because he stands in opposition to much of God’s truth. Some people I’ve spoken with believe that Obama’s presidency marks the beginning of the end of America. That by the end of his presidency, our freedoms will be gone, marriage will be redefined, and Roe v. Wade will win the day. But I don’t know that I believe that.

I voted today. And though Bloomfield as a church chooses not to associate itself with a particular party nor to endorse any particular candidate, I have no problem telling you who I voted for. I voted for John McCain. Not because I really believe in him, but because I couldn’t stomach the alternative. By the time you are reading this, election results are in and we have our next president. And I’m not too worried about who it is.

When I was in high school I ran competitively. I ran six days a week, sometimes up to 40 miles a week. Now I only run four miles three times a week, just to stay healthy and in decent shape. My high school coach, on the other hand, was addicted to running, literally. He really did nothing but run. As an example, every year he ran a 50 mile race. Fifty miles in a single, continuous event. Do you think God cares about our exercise habits?

In his sermon this Sunday, Pastor Don told the story of an overweight preacher railing against excesses – for instance, smoking and drinking. A woman came up to him after the sermon and said, “How can we take you seriously when you look like you do?” In this series of blogs, I’ve been writing about Christ and Culture, how Jesus relates to our culture. Jesus wants to transform our culture, and sometimes to transform it, He first has to undo it. The woman in Pastor Don’s story pointed out an inconsistency in our culture, even our Christian culture.

Heather and I were driving home late one night and saw, on the other side of the freeway, a man walking down the middle of the four eastbound lanes. We pulled over, called 911, and waited until the police arrived. If he had been on our side of the freeway, I may have pulled up to him and tried to get him off the road myself. If I had known him I would have certainly been even more aggressive in trying to get him off the road. If someone is endangering themselves, knowingly or unknowingly, the only humane thing to do is to try to stop them.

Is the religious diversity in America a good thing? Or is it a bad thing? I think it’s a good thing. Our country began with the hopes of religious freedom. And the consequence of religious freedom is, to varying degrees, religious diversity. Religious diversity is a good thing because it means people are free to make their own choices. And in addition, because we have the opportunity, at least for the time being, to share our faith and to dialogue with people of other faiths. I think religious diversity is a good thing. But it’s a good thing by which people damn themselves every day.

I know a teenage girl who is a Wiccan. My neighbor is a Hindu. My brother is an atheist. My wife voted for a Mormon in the presidential primaries. You probably have neighbors and coworkers who are Muslim, Jewish, and Buddhist. Because of immigration, globalism and other factors, our culture is becoming more and more religiously diverse. How do you relate to people of different faiths? Americans in general embrace diversity. Because, really, at the core, all religions are the same.

Is there anything redeeming about the American culture? Some Christians think not, and position Christ against human culture. Others, on the opposite extreme, identify Christ with culture, such that there is no distinction between Christians and their culture. I don’t believe that either of these positions is how Jesus would have us relate to our world. I believe Jesus wants to enter into culture and change it. Richard Niebuhr called this "Christ transforming culture." You should be involved in your culture – not being changed by it, but being change-agents in it.

Richard Niebuhr described several ways Christians relate to culture. First, Christ against Culture. Second, Christ of Culture. And third, Christ in paradox with Culture. Christianity and culture are not opposed to each other, they just exist in separate realms. According to this point of view, Christians shouldn’t reject culture but keep it in its place, keep church and culture separate. Though most of us wouldn’t articulate it this way, I think this is how most of us function. Dancing is okay, just not in the church. Drinking is okay, just not at church.