Strangers in a Strange Land

Christians’ interaction with culture

What is Culture?

Culture is the integrated systems of beliefs, feelings and values, and their associated symbols, patterns of behavior and products shared by a group of people.

Response to Culture

Christ Against Culture

Uncompromisingly affirms sole authority of Christ over the Christian and resolutely rejects culture's claims to loyalty

Response to Culture

Christ of Culture

Attempts to bring culture and Christianity together regardless of their differences.

Response to Culture

Christ Above Culture

The fundamental problem does not lie between Christ and the world but between God and man.

Response to Culture

Christ and Culture in Paradox

Seek to do justice to the need for holding together as well as for distinguishing between loyalty to Christ and responsibility for culture

Response to Culture

Christ Transforming Culture

Vision of good in Christ for restoration of the corrupted order in a radical conversion of existent society

Biblical Test Cases

John 2:1-11Honored the cultural expectationHonored his motherHonored his host

Biblical Test Case

Acts 15Goal is unity of followersOur culture should not become a

hindrance to the proclamation of the Gospel ○ 1 Corinthians 9:19-23

God’s View of Culture God loves people as they are culturally. The cultures and languages of the Bible are not

special, God-made cultures and languages. The Bible shows that God worked with His

people in culturally appropriate ways. God’s work in culture never leaves that culture

unchanged.

Importance of UnderstandingCulture

Understanding culture plays a crucial role in missions.

Culture plays a vital role in evangelism. Culture plays a vital role in worship. The church is often bound by culture, thus

hindering its ministry. Satan’s most effective attacks upon the

church may come through culture.

Make Disciples….

Christ’s command to make disciples requires us to understand culture and its impact.This requires us to know Christ.This requires us to understand all

nations.This requires us to incarnate Christ in

culture.