The root idea of modernity is the overturning of all authority outside of the self. In the 18th century European ‘Enlightenment’ thinkers insisted that the modern person must question all tradition, revelation, and external authority by subjecting them to the supreme court of his or her own reason and intuition. We are our own moral authority. 
 

It's remarkable to read David, the Warrior-King of Israel, writing these words from Psalm 131.

My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

Some people hear me speak about the ideas importance of city ministry and think I'm saying That all Christians (at least all those missions-minded) should move into cities. But I'm not saying that. I'm saying That many more mission agencies and many more Christians ought to minister in cities than are currently doing so. Why? Because of the sheer masses of people who live there and Because of how influential cities are on Their respective societies and cultures.

In my regular, daily Bible reading over the past year I read through Proverbs 3, a passage I've studied and preached through many times. But during this reading, I realized that in verses 3 through 12 we have all the themes of the rest of the book, and therefore a kind of mini-guide to faithful living. There are five things that comprise a wise, godly life. They function both as means to becoming wise and godly as well as signs that you are growing into such a life:

Part 1: The Big Issues facing the Western Church 

1. Local The church has to support culture-making.  Most of the young evangelicals interested in Integrating Their faith with film-making, journalism, corporate finance, etc, are getting Their support and mentoring from the Informal networks or para-church groups. Michael Lindsay's book  Faith in the Halls of Power  shows That many Christians in places of influence in the culture are alienated from the church, Because They get, at best, no church support for living Their faith out in the public spheres, and, at worst , opposition.