Church and Culture

A website asks the question, "Is your church reflecting the culture or shaping it?" It is a fair question, but my response is different than what they are going for. The American Heritage Dictionary defines culture as, "The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought." That is more or less all inclusive of a people group. Does the church necessarily want to change all of that about every culture? By this definition things that influence culture will be industry, climate, history, and many other factors just as morally benign. Culture is who people are. So I ask, "If your church does not reflect elements of the culture, aren't you potentially legalistic?" Is it necessary or even preferable for a church to have their own style of music, dress, art, communication... that is totally foreign to the community in which they exist? We don't ask this of our missionaries. In fact, we strongly discourage this in missionaries. We expect them to learn their new culture and contextualize (please don't read too much theology into my use of that word) the Gospel into it as seamlessly as possible. Why do we think ministry should be any different state-side?

I understand that the doctrine of separation demands abstanence from certain elements of culture. Our society is increasingly sensual in entertainment and dress. But, this does not mean that we must never watch TV or should dress like the Amish. Our society worships recreation as a god. But, this does not mean that Christians can never play video games or go to the lake. Our culture produces a lot of music that is contrary to Biblical morality. But, this does not mean that guitars and drums are evil.

We need to remember that everything we hold traditional was once new and probably very contraversial. We also need to remember that to reach our neighbors we have a Biblical precedent to think like missionaries. The Great Commission demands it! We also need to remember that we are all probably emersed in the Christian subculture more than we think and need to extend grace and patience to other Christians as we progress together towards Christ-likeness.