Countercultural

Counterculture (noun): the culture and lifestyle of those people, especially among the young, who reject or oppose the dominant values and behavior of society.

You know this one, right? In my day they were the hippies. Now they're the "goths" or the gangs, the KKK or the homeschooling movement, the "alt-right" or the "alt-left." They were the Abolitionists and the Suffragettes and the Anarchists. Unlike the sub-culture, where they have a noted pattern within the culture, like tattoos, piercings, or neon-orange hair, these are the ones who identify themselves as "this group" that is counter to the existing status quo. We know them. But ... are we them?

John wrote, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life — is not from the Father but is from the world" (1 John 2:15-16). Biblically we who love the Father ought not to "love the world." Now, let's be careful about that. It isn't intended to convey not loving people or even not loving nature around us or something like that. "The world" in this context is a reference to the values and norms of a sinful universe, "the world" as a system opposed to God. In this sense, we should be "countercultural," right?

Here's the problem with "countercultural." It is defined as that which is in opposition to dominant values and behavior. It is defined, then, by what it rejects or opposes. Is that what we're supposed to be? I don't think so. I think too often we are. We are not called to oppose the world or its systems. We are called to go another direction. In Galatians, for instance, Paul contrasts "walk by the Spirit" with "gratify the desires of the flesh" (Gal 5:16-25). He doesn't say, "Oppose the latter." He tells us we ought to be walking by the Spirit. That means that we will have a different character (Gal 5:22-23). We will not be like those of the flesh, but neither will we aim at opposing them. We are not called to change the world by legislation or other means or to oppose the world. We are called to be something different so that God can change others. We are told not to love the world system, but that means we are to work in such a way as to glorify the Father (Matt 5:16). We aren't to be living against something, but living for Christ. We should not be counter to the culture, but in contrast to the culture.

As believers we will be "countercultural" -- living an identity that is not this world's system. (If we are not, "the love of the Father is not in you.") If there is precious little difference between your lifestyle and that of the world around you, you might want to examine that issue. As for us, we will not be focused in opposition to this world's system. The difference in how we live should bring glory to the Father and salt and light to the world. I think we (me included) often miss this. Are we noted for what we oppose or for what we live for?