1. Impatience: One of the most prominent features of western culture is the ongoing quest to make everything faster and more convenient. Things like, stopping at toll booths, standing in line at a fast food counter or even writing on a piece of paper, are quickly becoming passé. Unfortunately, these “advances” also have the net effect of making us less tolerant for anything that isn’t convenient or instantly gratifying. This is problematic for “followers” of Christ, who are often required to wait on the Lord or be stilled by the knowledge that He is God. It is also in direct opposition to His character, which is ultimately supposed to be our destiny.
2. Self Sufficiency / Stubborn Independence: The United States was birthed in rebellion; and though most would argue that the tyranny of our early history was ample justification for it, that rebellious nature has engrained itself in our national character. American’s are famous for their brashness and their failure to adhere to conventional thought or established wisdom. As such, Americans seem to idolize the traits of stubborn independence and self-sufficiency. Of course, these traits stand in stark contrast to the character that Christ presented; as He spoke of coming to the Father like little children and allowed Himself to be a lamb led to slaughter. He said that He didn’t do anything that He didn’t see His Father do first and that apart from Him, we could do “nothing”. That is a picture of absolute dependence, which isn’t a portrait that most Americans would want to hang on their wall.
3. Market Based / Consumer Driven: Misguided ideas about evangelism have caused much of the western church to become market based and consumer driven. This causes ministers and ministries to fashion themselves after the whims of popular demand, instead of the unchanging character of God and His Spirit. It keeps them focused on cultural trends and marketing data, instead of on the Author and Finisher of our faith; and it transforms the church into more of a network than a family. Watering down the gospel certainly doesn’t make it any more palatable and it absolutely diminishes its potency.
4. Vanity / Insecurity: To some, vanity and insecurity might seem to be almost opposites, but in truth, they go hand-in-hand. Vanity is the exaggerated portrait that we try to paint when we fear that people would be disappointed if they could see us as we really are. Unless a person genuinely invests their sense of identity in what God says about them, they are bound to battle the very common fear that “if you really knew me, you wouldn’t love me”. Such deeply rooted insecurity breeds competition, jealousy, offense and results in a continual struggle for recognition, position and power. Sadly these things are commonplace in churches across America.
5. Comfort: Many would say that money is the god of western culture, but I would contend that at its root, the love of money is generally motivated by a deeper love of comfort. Though many Americans are willing to part with some amount of their money for charitable causes, I would suggest that few give to the point that it might affect their own level of comfort. For the follower of Christ, a love of comfort turns out to be a serious spiritual handicap; as the scripture tells us that what is pleasing to the flesh is not pleasing to the spirit; and that what is pleasing to the spirit is not pleasing to the flesh. Jesus told His followers that they would be hated for His sake and that anyone who was unwilling to take up their cross, was unfit for His kingdom. Though we like to think of ourselves as the “Army of God”, heaven help us if the battlefield isn’t air conditioned.
Bjcorbin's Blog 
These are arresting words Bryan – well articulated. Makes me stop to take a close look at what handicaps (disguised as advantages) are in my life and culture and how to live a less handicapped life in Christ.
Matt
Yes! …Someone else who is willing to say that along with the Christian roots of our nation, is the strong identification with the term “rebel.” Indeed, how difficult it is for American Christians to really embrace a KING, when we’ve been raised to resist all forms of government outside of democracy? Yes yes I know, in a fallen world, living in a system that has the “balance of powers” built into it is a blessing… but we are citizens of another government, and there is a Man on a throne in this City not built by human hands. Dear God, help us to shed the skin of our culture more and more so that we can fully devote ourselves to being subjects of a spiritual monarchy and a truly Benevolent Sovereign.
Let me say it another way… “Democracy doesn’t work without a King.” Democracy without a spiritual Monarch disentigrates into a nation full of little kings, just as the Church without the “Pope” disintegrates into a million little popes (pastors). The Church needs THE Head, and the nation needs THE King. May the restoration of Jesus’ governmental authority be known in our time– just because we’re talking spiritual realities and authority doesn’t make this any less REAL or PRACTICAL.
Bryan, you’ve really identified the key issues that effect us culturally. Thanks for sharing this . . . and, I especially loved your last line.