A strategic view of the church’s work remembers the centrality of the Great Commandments (“Love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and love thy neighbor as thyself”) and the Great Commission (“Make disciples of all nations”). Love demands costly action but must begin in a heart imprinted with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Culture is all that people think, say, and do that flows from the heart of God’s image-bearers. Where you fit into that mission and how you contribute to culture depends on your personal calling and the sphere of responsibility that God has given to you—it varies from Christian to Christian.
Joel Beeke, born in Kalamazoo, MI, is a professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor at Heritage Reformed Congregation. When not engaged in academic rigor he enjoys talking and walking with his wife, family nights, and playing with his grandchildren.