Ask Jim: What is a cultural missionary, and how can God redeem the Uvalde shooting?

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the difference between cultural missionaries and cultural warriors, how to engage with woke businesses, whether our souls are “sent to earth,” and how to make sense of the Uvalde massacre. 

 

Show notes: 

 

Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss how we define the difference between cultural missionaries and cultural warriors and why we should exemplify humility as well as boldness (1:29). They discuss the difference between spiritual war and loving people (10:00). 

 

One listener asks whether they should write to the CEO of a grocery store they love expressing displeasure with the LGBTQ support shown by the company, and Dr. Denison responds with how to actively engage in cultural change (19:25). They then consider why businesses feel the need to make statements about LGBTQ issues in culture (24:24). 

 

They turn to another listener question that asks why our souls were “sent to earth” if our goal is to be in heaven (34:10). Dr. Denison responds by addressing some possible confusion in the question, showing the influence of dualism in some Christian theology. 

 

They answer a final question about the problem of evil: How can God redeem the Uvalde tragedy and SBC abuse (39:56)? They continue by talking about how we can lament while ensuring we’re not overwhelmed with compassion fatigue (46:30).

 

You can submit a question too at askjim@denisonforum.org.

 

Resources and further reading:

 

• The Denison Forum Podcast Episode 8: If God is sovereign, why does evil exist?
• ‘Exhausted by the news? You may be “doomscrolling”’ - Mark Legg
• Making Sense of Suffering - Jim Denison
• Wrestling with God: How Can I Love a God I'm Not Sure I Trust? - Jim Denison
• “The latest on the Uvalde school shooting” - Jim Denison
• “The SBC enacts abuse reform, but have they addressed the real problem?” - Mark Legg

  About the hosts 

 

Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. 

 

Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.