It’s in the quiet where we learn to fight for faith. So, I shift my eyes from that twinkling tree to the Bible on my lap. And I read aloud from those treasured pages.

“Remember what happened with social media? We didn’t show up,” says Pat Gelsinger, former Intel CEO. He’s lamenting the lack of Christian representation and influence during the advent of social media platforms. What does showing up involve? Jesus interacted at a granular level with the breaking news and cultural events of his day. The news of the tower collapse in Siloam provided an opportunity to teach that the need for repentance is universal (Luke 13:4–5). The water ceremonies associated with Sukkot were the context for his offer of “living water” (John 7:37–38). But our time feels different. We live amid a rapidly changing culture with frantic news cycles. One media executive puts it this way: “I sometimes feel that instead of [me] consuming news, the news is consuming me.” Is it possible to meet new societal developments with theological insight and biblical wisdom? Can we interpret the moments that capture people’s attention with a thick theological understanding fit for our time and place? We can, but to do so well, we need to hone the skills necessary for developing a theological vision. How Do We Develop a Theological Vision? In The Fabric of Theology, Richard Lints argues that “we must allow theology to transform not only our particular beliefs but our entire orientation in the world.” Following Lints, Tim Keller defines theological vision as “a vision of what you’re going to do with your doctrine in a particular time and place.” Can we interpret the moments that capture people’s attention with a thick theological understanding fit for our time and place? We develop a uniquely Christian vision of the world when we focus on a particular cultural topic and then articulate how that topic intersects with our theological confession and the biblical narrative. What are the mechanics of “seeing” theologically in a society that constantly presents new and radical questions? Developing a theological vision requires at least three steps. 1. Give time and attention to considering our post-Christian context. In an increasingly fragmented world, Christian leaders must set aside time to process what’s happening around us through a biblical lens. As Keller says, “In 2000 years, we’ve never learned how to do mission in a place that was post-Christian rather than pre-Christian. If you’re in ministry, it’s going to take all of your life to help the church figure out how to do this.” The old maxim that the preacher holds the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other is still true. Only now the newspaper is on our phones, and it seems infinite. For this reason, we’ll need to be selective about what outlets we follow to stay connected. Are they accountable for their facts, transparent about errors, and honestly engaged with opposing views? We must take back our attention from addictive and polarizing media platforms and aim it mindfully toward sources that will clarify rather than muddle our understanding. 2. Choose the issues most worthy of your reflection, then work back from them to your confessional framework. Pay attention to your emotional reactions when you read the news. If something is intriguing, bothersome, or maddening, engage rather than stew. Pray about the issue, dig deeper to learn more, and, crucially, break the topic into its constituent parts to identify themes. The themes you identify are the gateway back to the helpful categories given to us by systematic theologians—they’re a gateway back to your confessional and biblical framework. For example, if you’re frustrated with the news you’re reading about AI, you might ask, What’s the source of my frustration? Am I frustrated about our culture’s confused conceptions of human identity and its worldly attempts at self-salvation, or am I simply struggling to embrace God’s sovereignty over our cultural moment? 3. Work forward from your doctrine to application for the contemporary moment. Begin with the themes you’ve identified, and answer these questions: How does my confession speak to these themes? What does God’s story say about the story we’re living today? Don’t merely pronounce moral judgments. Instead, connect the dots between a more expansive view of God’s redemptive activity in history and the issue at hand. Without this kind of theological vision, we’re left with only thin answers to our world’s most complex questions. For example, when we make clear that we’re against homosexual practice but don’t communicate the more expansive and richly beautiful story of the Bible’s sexual ethic, we miss a significant gospel opportunity. Connect the dots between a more expansive view of God’s redemptive activity in history and the issue at hand. So when you’re engaging a particular cultural topic, ask, What good human longings are associated with this issue? What misguided desires does a doctrinal perspective correct? How does Christ provide a better fulfillment of our good longings than what our culture offers? Keep asking questions until you see how today’s concerns take on new meaning in light of the Bible’s overarching message. Then share these deeper insights with your people as you counsel, preach, teach, and even post. If done successfully, you’ll have channeled the emotions stirred up by the latest hot topic into intentional gospel proclamation. In this way, you’ll begin to “show up” with a real-time theological vision that applies concretely to our current moment. Doing theology in a rapidly changing world is part of our ministry calling. With practice, every Christian leader can get better at it. This is how we “show up.” Engaging this way will make our ministries more effective, fruitful, and satisfying.

What does faith look like when the world feels fragile—and hope feels costly?

In a world chasing self-made identity, this prayer recenters your heart on God’s unchanging design and reminds you that your true purpose begins with knowing and glorifying Him.

As the holiday season comes to a close, many people struggle with feelings of sadness and post-holiday blues. By implementing six simple yet effective strategies - setting reasonable goals, establishing healthy boundaries, exercising regularly, taking supplements, engaging in hobbies, and prioritizing God's will - individuals can overcome these blues and start the new year on a positive note.