Countercultural Challenges

Our civilization is characterized by an antithetical mixture of technological progress and moral decline. Should this surprise us? Not at all, because Jesus mentioned that the same depravity that preceded the Flood would reappear just prior to His second coming (Matthew 24:37–39). End-time human behavior —actually, misbehavior— is also well described in 2 Timothy 3:1–7 and 2 Peter 2:1–22.

This decline became more evident in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly during the turmoil of 1968. There were ongoing conflicts in Paris between students and authorities at the Paris University at Nanterre. On Thursday, May 2, 1968, the administration shut down the university, which led to massive protests in the city.

Similar sociopolitical riots also occurred in Prague, Berlin, Chicago, and other places around the world. That same year also saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, aggressive antiwar movements; the Black Power protests; and an upsurge of the women’s liberation movement. Historians refer to 1968 as the year that shook and changed the world and the year that never ended.

Indeed, the world would no longer be the same! The countercultural winds of that critical period are still blowing today, but with increasing intensity.

Fundamental religious and moral values are being cast to the ground. Every form of authority is now being challenged.

Since we are followers of Christ, the greater the challenges, the more intense our convictions should be. This is precisely the time when all true Christians should rise up and be “the salt of the earth” and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:13–16). See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you (Isaiah 60:2, NIV).

Let us demonstrate to the world the transforming power of God’s amazing grace!