New Attitude

How do we change at the deepest levels? That's the heart of the questions in this section. How do we get a “new attitude”. One of the authors pointed out that where Christianity has entered into medical missions, it has made a difference not just because of the medical deeds accomplished, but because of the “new attitude” it brings toward the sick. How is this developed? Obviously, the Holy Spirit plays a key role, working change from the inside out. But how does change look on a societal level?

Broken Earth is a book about the rural Chinese following the Cultural Revolution. It's interesting to read because it reveals how the Chinese ethnos remained despite the cultural revolution. There was a significant difference between the propaganda and the reality, the cadres and the peasants. The ethic or worldview didn't change despite forced attempts. Surface level does not equal heart change!

Assessing the evidence of real change involves a willingness to get to know people and drill down to the basics – to promote reflective thinking and not reactionary responses. Polarizing or reacting tends to lead to reductionism – we see this in the liberal/fundamentalist camps, which reacted to each other so sharply that for many years Christianity had the “social Gospel” wing and the “evangelical” wing. There are new organizations today that are blending the two again as they always have been Biblically ... but the process is hard. It's hard for an old organization to bring in the other element.

When we let Scripture guide though, we see so much balance. We can bring all of life under kingdom principles in perfect balance. There is an emphasis on both individual and community. New cultural forms of faith are extolled without any hint of using indigenous churches as an excuse for racism. The balance is perfect.

Ultimately, through the Spirit and the Word, God will work a new attitude. As believers, we can best influence our society in the manner mentioned by Mother Theresa: Let people be "reminded of Jesus" by our actions.