117 - Rev. Dr. Adam Koontz on the Californiacation of Colorado and What To Do About It

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A Brief History of Power - “Cities of the Mountains and Plains” - https://abriefhistoryofpower.com/bhop168-cities-of-the-mountains-and-plains/

Family Bible Commentary - https://www.adcrucem.com/products/five-volume-bible-commentary-adam-koontz

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In this episode, Chase Davis and Reverend Dr. Adam Koontz discuss the history and culture of Colorado, focusing on its transient nature, the gold rush, individualism, and the influence of California. They explore the challenges of building churches in a transitory culture and the need for a long-term perspective. They also discuss the influence of universities and education and highlight opportunities for change and faithful presence in Colorado. In this conversation, Adam Koontz and Chase discuss strategies for Christians to navigate a hostile culture. They explore the options of working within the system or outside of it, with Adam expressing skepticism about the effectiveness of the inside approach. They also discuss the importance of starting with schools as a way to make an impact and the need to understand where power is generated in order to effectively challenge it. Adam shares the motivation behind his podcast, 'A Brief History of Power,' and the importance of equipping Christians with wisdom in the face of cultural challenges. They also touch on the concept of power and how it has been misunderstood in the evangelical church.

Takeaways

• Colorado has a transient culture due to its history and population growth, which poses challenges for building churches and creating a sense of community.
• The influence of individualism and libertarianism in Colorado contributes to a live-and-let-live attitude and a resistance to authority and institutions.
• The California influence in Colorado has brought secularism and a focus on personal choice and immediate experiences.
• Building churches in a transitory culture requires a long-term perspective and a commitment to high levels of commitment and doctrinal standards.
• Opportunities for change and faithful presence in Colorado include recognizing the influence of universities and education and actively engaging in cultural transformation. Navigating a hostile culture can be approached from within the system or outside of it, but the inside approach may be less successful and require compromising one's beliefs.
• Starting with schools is a strategic way for Christians to make an impact in a hostile culture, as education plays a significant role in shaping future generations.
• Understanding where power is generated in a culture is crucial for effectively challenging it. Identifying the nodes and sources of power allows for targeted efforts.
• The evangelical church has often misunderstood and downplayed the concept of power, leading to a lack of wisdom and equipping in navigating cultural challenges.