Mindset, Methods, and Message

Balaam was asked to speak a message by the Moabite king Balak, and the king demanded that he pronounce a curse on Israel, which he did not do.  In one of his oracles, found in Numbers 23, he said that: 19 God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? 20 I have received a command to bless; he has blessed, and I cannot change it. 21 "No misfortune is seen in Jacob, no misery observed in Israel. The LORD their God is with them; the shout of the King is among them.

The king attempted to lure Balaam over to his side against the people of Israel, but Balaam was intent on speaking in accordance with God's truth.    And, it can be tempting to change the message of the gospel in order to please people, to build better relationships, to do what is socially acceptable.  But, in this day, as in the past, God's way is the best way - even though mindsets may change and methods of reaching and connecting with people may be different, yet the message of God's word never changes.   We can fully rely on the truth of Christ.

The book of Malachi reminds us of the unchanging nature of God in chapter 3:
6 "For I am the Lord, I do not change; Therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob. 7 Yet from the days of your fathers You have gone away from My ordinances And have not kept them. Return to Me, and I will return to you," Says the Lord of hosts.


It's officially out - the annual Beloit College Mindset List, which is designed to track what college students are experiencing and some of the pop culture components that are part of their lives.  Each August since 1998, Beloit College has released its Mindset List, described as "providing a look at the cultural touchstones that shape the lives of students entering college this fall."

Just some examples here:
1.        They should keep their eyes open for Justin Bieber or Dakota Fanning at freshman orientation.

2.        They have always lived in cyberspace, addicted to a new generation of “electronic narcotics.”

3.        The Biblical sources of terms such as “Forbidden Fruit,” “The writing on the wall,” “Good Samaritan,” and “The Promised Land” are unknown to most of them.


5.        If they miss The Daily Show, they can always get their news on YouTube.

6.        Their lives have been measured in the fundamental particles of life: bits, bytes, and bauds.

9.        They have never seen an airplane “ticket.”


26.    Having made the acquaintance of Furby at an early age, they have expected their toy friends to do ever more unpredictable things.

27.    Outdated icons with images of floppy discs for “save,” a telephone for “phone,” and a snail mail envelope for “mail” have oddly decorated their tablets and smart phone screens.

29.    They have had to incessantly remind their parents not to refer to their CDs and DVDs as “tapes.”

35.    Probably the most tribal generation in history, they despise being separated from contact with their similar-aged friends.


46.    Simba has always had trouble waiting to be King.

47.    Before they purchase an assigned textbook, they will investigate whether it is available for rent or purchase as an e-book.

48.    They grew up, somehow, without the benefits of Romper Room.

There are equivalent lists out there from time-to-time, that tell us what's "hot" and what's not, as well as what's "in" and "out".   And, we would do well as believers to pay special attention to the language of the culture, so that we can effectively communicate truth.  

You see, there is a collective mindset, and this poll is tracking some of the common denominators.   The mindset of the culture today is much different than 10, 20, 50, or even 5 years ago.    The pace is fast, the gratification is instant, and the knowledge of God is perhaps waning as the result of a proliferation of stimuli throughout the day.   Today's culture is bombarded with hundreds of stories and thousands of suggestions every single day.   But, above it all, the superiority of God's truth remains.  

Mindsets may change, and what is driving today's young people is different than ever before.  That is why it's important to develop methods that will more effectively connect with the next generation, as well as those of us baby boomers and busters that have found our lifestyles dramatically altered.   But, even as mindsets and methods change, we remember that the life-saving message of salvation through Jesus Christ never changes - He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and the principles of His word are time-honored, time-proven, and foundational, demonstrating the faithfulness of an Almighty, Creator God.