"Hold my drink while I get out my Bible….."

To be honest I don't find myself having too many conversations in the pub about the finer points of the life of Jesus or five steps to becoming a Christian. But what I do hear is people talking about what happened on Eastenders/Friends last night, or 'have you read Nick Hornby's latest book' type conversations, or discussing last night's eviction from Survivor, or debriefing on the film they've just been to see at the cinema.

This is basically people talking about issues in culture. People who probably haven't picked up a Bible in years but who are talking about issues of meaning, friendship, love, life & death, truth, justice etc from things they watch and read:

• Chocolat - book and film by Joanne Harris. Loads of really relevant issues like temptation, belonging or not belonging in a community, the nature of friendship etc.
  
  
• Bridget Jones - book and film by Helen Fielding sheds light on lots of relevant issues. Where do I find fulfilment in life? Is true love just around the corner? What about commitment? What about self-image? etc etc. A great read (The film is pretty good too….)
  
  
• The Matrix -Andy and Larry Wachowski explore the idea that there might be an altogether different reality behind what we assume is normal life. Loads of Christian links and imagery.
  
  
• Gameshows - Why is the appeal of money so great? Is deceit OK to win a million pounds on Survivor? Does the end justify the means? What lengths would you go to win money? (Last, but not least, why are so many contestants so thick?!)

"But that's not evangelism…" you say. Really? I think this is the sort of stuff Paul was doing in Acts 17 at the Areopagus when he quotes one of their poets. All he is doing is using the dominant culture around him to build a bridge between Jesus and those he is talking to.

In our society most people don't sit around in the marketplace discussing their ideas on life like Paul's contemporaries did. But they sit in the pub, or have lunch at work, or go to the same hairdresser as you. They might not read much philosophy or poetry, but they do read novels and magazines. They watch films and TV. They listen to popular music and surf websites. These are the sources from which most people pick up large chunks of their basic beliefs and attitudes.

So we must be bridge builders. Make sure you have firm footing on both sides of the bridge - in the Bible and in culture, understanding where people are getting their beliefs and attitudes from. Then get building.