Going Christ's Way?

Each of us were born into an existent culture. Perhaps a Christian culture, such as having believing parents. Others came out of a non-Christian culture. But in both cases, that "culture" contained viewpoints both valid and invalid. To be a Christian today in America requires going "against the flow" of many of the prevailing viewpoints, such as two wrongs make a right. We see people comparing themselves to other people rather than comparing themselves to the character of Christ. Pharisees happy they are not like publicans.

If it is a given that the "world" (the fallen society of humans) does not share the values of God, then it is a given we must "go against the flow" to follow Christ.

If we adopted our "culture's viewpoint" when we came of age, we regard it as truth, and when we encounter other viewpoints, we "naturally" see them as invalid. For example, I think the NASB is the best English translation, and so when it differs from the KJV or NIV, my working hypothesis is the other translations are not as accurate.

We all "filter" our input experiences through our preexisting assessment of truth.

The lost experience that same bewilderment when confronted with the gospel which proclaims things the world sees as invalid. The world says "Me first" and "Never give a sucker an even break." It is ok to advertise that you will give "up to" $4,000,00 over market value for a used trade-in.

If we reject widely held views within the body of Christ, we can be berated as "prideful" or "unqualified" or some other disparagement. How can we be so "impertinent?

Matthew 15:3: He answered and said to them, “Why do you yourselves also break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?

Mark 7:9
He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.

Colossians 2:8
See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ.

If, what people claim, no matter how many human organizations have proclaimed their expertise, does not mesh with our understanding of the word of God, are we supposed to go with the flow, or proclaim truth?

Are we to cover our light with a basket?