Initially asked what is the major issue facing Christians today in the West, Vic Matthews noted that worldliness in the church and complacency about our core beliefs (Christ's death and resurrection) are critical issues. Christians are taken in by materialism and are not heavenly minded enough.
Then Vic Matthews was asked how Christians can deal with such issues. He said that a personal reformation of each Christian is a necessity, God working individually within each one of us. This involves a personal walk with the Lord and it goes on from that.
The next proposition put to Vic Matthews related to how we might be more heavenly minded, and he noted that this is the starting point of becoming of earthly use. He explained that following the crucified Christ provides a different perspective about life, with a close walk with the Lord, which in turn has a working-out factor of helping those less fortunate than ourselves. This keeps our feet on the ground, he mused.
This led naturally to the next issue of a theology of helping those in need. Once involved in community, Vic Matthews explained, one soon reaches crisis points that one can go no further than to depend upon God, this in turn strengthens our faith. We go back to the Bible, we learn more about God, we have a closer walk with Jesus, the two things feed into each other, positively, and we do more for God. The cycle works upwards, not down wards.
As to post modernity, doing what is right in my own eyes is good for me, Vic Matthews responded that this is the logical conclusion one would come to in the world 'right now', that is non theistic. People to do not believe in God, the only conclusion, the only values they can establish are man made, and this leads to such a diverse opinion about what is right and wrong – with no absolutes, a relative morality – and it comes down to what is good for me good is good for me, and what is bad for me is bad for me – similarly for you – and there is no one to sort it out.
Whereas, in a Christian theistic view point, there is a belief in God, which implies there are absolutes. God sets a standard, and as he created us, He expects us to live with those expectations upon us in faith, in a form of behaviour that is appropriate and which corresponds to God's own character to which we are to emulate. This is a walk of faith, hope and love.
This is the classic orthodox Christian position of walking in faith.
This Vic Matthews interview on the Australian Missionary News IPTV can be viewed at:
tv.bushorchestra.com/Mission/videopages/vic_matthews.html or www.safeworlds.net
