more than simple adaptations in cultural form, but a skillful empathic approach not
reducible to practical adaptation in communicational style.
Hill (Acts 17). "Men of Athens I observe that you are very religious in all respects" and
that you worship "AN UNKNOWN GOD" (analysis of the culture). "What you worship
in ignorance, this I proclaim to you..." (challenge or contradiction of analysis). The true
God desire that all search for Him, "if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him,
though He is not far from every one of us...even some of your own poets have said, `For
we also are His offspring'" (Empathy and the reconstitution of the meaning of God).
Then, finally, "God is now declaring to men that all every where should repent"
(Declaration of the gospel).
nineteenth century Idea of Progress. Americans are particularly optimistic concerning
technology. Evangelicals share in this common optimism. The notion of progress was
originally identified with the postmillennial mentality of establishing the kingdom of God
on earth then latter transposed into a secular belief in the advancement of the city of
man.
14; Rev. 14: 6). Some have even believed that the Second Coming could be televised.
identification systems make the fulfillment of the prophecies of Revelation possible for
the first time in history. Satellite TV will make it possible for the entire world to view the
two slain prophets in Jerusalem for three days and their resurrection (Rev. 11). Global
communication and networking makes it possible for the mark of the beast to be issued to
everyone on earth (Rev. 13). Although, the underlying tone is apocalyptic these ideas
lend theological credence and support for technological progress. They express an
implicit hope in technology as the medium of God's will.
evangelism becomes a technical problem. This shares in the national faith that all
problems whether; economic, racial, political, or religious has technical solutions.
engineered food addresses the problem of world hunger. Global communications will
harmonize relationships between mutual misunderstandings. These claims ignore the fact
(Hew Haven, CT: Yale Univeristy Press, 1932); Robert Nisbet, History of the Idea of Progress (New York:
Basic Books, 1980); Schultze, Televangelism and American Culture, 52-57. One writer argues that
America is the only nation established on utopian principles and millennial vision; Damian Thompson, The
End of Time: Faith and Fear in the Shadow of the Millennium (Hanover, New Hampshire: University of
New England Press, 1996), 320. This is not entirely true; Marxism was also a utopian vision. The entire
modern world takes shape from the utopian vision of the Idea of Progress.