day no. 16,810: prisoners of the moment and the architects of tomorrow

"We affirm that Scripture knows nothing of faithful culture that is detached from generations. But generations entail men, and women, and marriage, and sex, and children, and grandchildren. A sine qua non of all biblical culture making is therefore fruitful lovemaking. A transformative generation is going to be, by the grace of God, disciplined, married, moral, heterosexual, and highly-sexed."  — New Saints Andrews College, Thirty Theses on Culture Building

Reformation begins with regeneration and procreation. New birth of both kinds characterize rebirth. Before there can be a new culture, there has to be new people. These people need to be made and discipled. 

Matthew 28:18-20

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, "All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Culture shaping will include new students and consistent teaching, the same Gospel of grace taught in the authority of Christ to new children and new converts. As we make babies, we make disciples. As we preach the Good News, God calls more to enter into covenant. 

Attempting to create a culture without an emphasis on creating a new generation is to admit an interest in fads rather than a commitment to Christendom. No prisoner of the moment has ever made anything that held the next moment captive. Kowtowing to the Spirit of the Age is a tired attempt at keeping the vibe alive. The clubbing catches up with up with you, the sun comes up, and the hangover sets in. There is nothing fruitful in frolicking with strangers at 2 am, but there is something eternal in singing your kids to sleep before heading to bed with the wife with whom you made them. 

Trends cannot compete with traditions. Nothing is lamer than yesterday’s coolness and nothing is stronger than eternal covenant. The architects of tomorrow live for a good legacy; the prisoners of the moment live for a good time.