The church reflecting its culture and culture defining the church.
Such is the state of affairs after centuries of the Christendom arrangement. The proof of such a statement can be seen in the manner in which church and culture find identity and power in common symbols, ideas, and institutions. The arrangement is both positive and negative. Positively, the church reflecting its culture demonstrates that the gospel has made itself at home and has become part of the context. This points to the translatability and universality of the gospel. Whether the soil is American, Indian, or Russia, the potent seed of the gospel sprouts and makes particular sense in each context. However, this positive can turn into a negative, as culture co-opts the gospel for its purposes and goals, many of which are contrary to the Jesus Way. The church is then unable to speak to the evils, abuses, and powers of its culture. It has been captured by something other than the gospel.
The correcting forces in the balance between reflecting culture and being defined by culture are humility and weakness. By living in humility toward my cultural traits and stengths, I acknowledge that the gospel way must always trumph the cultural way. I should never join the chorus of those who brag about culture – my country right or wrong. Even if my culture is (were) the most technologically advanced or the most wealth-producing of modern times, I am to readily admit that these traits have at the same time produced tremendous social and moral problems.
Weakness guards me against an unhealthy mix of gospel and power. Most of the world does not have the options I have, and thus cannot choose power or privilege. I can choose. So, I choose to live solely in the power and privilege my culture affords or in solidarity with the diseased, troubled, trafficked, impoverished, and abandoned of the world. In choosing weakness, I demonostrate that the gospel is the kind of power that can transform me into a different kind of person, and changes people and society for the good. When others see us as powerful people who come to lord over or exert our cultural identity and strength, they will hate us even more and continue to hate our gospel.
Culture is not bad. It acts as a force to organize life and give identity. It is necessary and good. However, it can overwhelm our good intentions, seduce us toward evil actions, and eclipse our identify in Christ. If we are to be the people of God, living according to the Jesus Way, then we must live in humility and weakness. For, you see, it was in humility and weakness that Jesus created a new kind hope that allows me and you to reach beyond our national aspirations and find release from our cultural bondage.
Oh. As I read these words today, you have no idea how timely these words are.
thanks. needed to read this.