Christians and Culture (hell, church, gnostic, scripture)

[Cephas40]

One of our assigned readings in seminary was H. Richard Niebuhr’s classic book, Christ and Culture. This little book written in 1951 has been read by countless numbers of students from all denominations. Niebuhr put forth five models of how Christians and Church could choose to participate in Culture. When thought of as a continuum at one end is, Christ against Culture. In this model all Culture separate from the Church is to be avoided. At the other end of continuum is Christ of Culture in which all Culture is accepted and embraced unequivocally. These two extremes are balanced by three moderate models. Christ above Culture regards Culture as intrinsically good but within the backdrop of the Church. The fourth model, Christ the transformer of Culture sees culture as initially good but corrupted by the Fall. The fifth view, Christ and Culture in Paradox views culture as good but tainted by sin.

Each model has its adherents.

1. Christ against culture-Traditional ascetic communities as well as various sectarian groups would hold to some version of this view.

2. Christ of culture-This is the view of classic Gnosticism and liberal Protestantism.

3. Christ above culture-This view was expounded by Thomas Aquinas, and has been a predominant position among Roman Catholics since.

4. Christ and culture in paradox-Augustine (in part) as well as Martin Luther and Soren Kierkegaard are representative of this view.

5. Christ the transformer of culture-This is the view held by Augustine (in part) as well as John Calvin and others in the Reformed tradition.

Niebuhr's one size fits all approach has been challenged most recently by the 2008 book by D.A. Carson, Christ and Culture Revisited. Nonetheless, Niebuhr provided an enduring framework for those who care to look beyond their reflection in the mirror and examine why one Christian's answer to the cultural issues of the day differs from their own. Being able to see from another's perspective is a baby step toward reconciliation.

[hljc]

Just like the rule Jesus gave from Luke 10: 25-37 as to who is our neighbor which we are to love under the commandment , so this is our interaction with the world for Christians , which is to story of the good Samaritan , who helped the man who was not shown to his creed, color , nationalities, as Christians interaction with all people who is our neighbor .......See we can look down on our neighbor and ignore our neighbor or hate and despise our neighbor and we will be out of touch with the rule of the good Samaritan

[nateswift]

'In the world but not of it" seems to be the appropriate foundational thought. The Christian recognizes that any culture has its values and pitfalls. To some extent a christian will be apart from the surrounding culture by the things he values and the things he refuses to participate in. As such, his Christianity transforms him and to the extent that he believes his values to be appropriate he will be moving toward transforming culture: "be the change you want to see in the world." Part of appropriate action should be to acknowledge that action should be by example and persuasion rather than compulsion. I am not at all sure that I see those "typical" paradigms.

[Mikelee81]

I think of the Scripture telling us to me in but not of the world, not conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of our mind, not friends with the world (those that make themselves friends of the world are making themselves an enemy of God) etc..

One could suggest one that is "worldly" is 1) being conformed to the world 2) friends with the world.. They dress, talk, and behave like everyone else does being driven by the lusts of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. If we have the love of the "world" in our heart the love of the father is not in us.

So do we get all excited about "American Idol" being on TV, the "big bang" theory, embrace homosexual marriage unions, love listening to songs like "Highway to Hell", etc..? Or do these types of things grieve our spirit as we see the fruit of fallen rebellious mankind and its destructive end in our rebellion against our Creator?

[arleigh]

I see my relationship with God as a preparation for heaven and it's culture.
God respects obedience, which is the best form of worship and love.
Jesus said the was is narrow and few there be that find it.
It is mistake to attempt to legislate any religion among men, because they then have a false sense of righteousness .
A man needs to come to the end of himself and then seek after God ,but all to often people are so self righteous they are blind to their sin of self govern.
Jesus said "blessed are they the do hunger and thirst after righteousness for they shall be filled."
It's not a casual nor intellectual interest ,but a personal relationship.
Jesus did not bend to the whims of culture then, and I'd be willing to bet He'd not conform today either.
Jesus took His instruction From the Father and actually conflicted with the authority of the day ..

[the_human_being]

Originally Posted by Mikelee81

I think of the Scripture telling us to me in but not of the world, not conformed to the world but transformed by the renewing of our mind, not friends with the world (those that make themselves friends of the world are making themselves an enemy of God) etc..

One could suggest one that is "worldly" is 1) being conformed to the world 2) friends with the world.. They dress, talk, and behave like everyone else does being driven by the lusts of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. If we have the love of the "world" in our heart the love of the father is not in us.

So do we get all excited about "American Idol" being on TV, the "big bang" theory, embrace homosexual marriage unions, love listening to songs like "Highway to Hell", etc..? Or do these types of things grieve our spirit as we see the fruit of fallen rebellious mankind and its destructive end in our rebellion against our Creator?

Amen Mike. I heartedly approve this post.