Tuesday: Culture
We all belong to and are part of a particular culture or cultures. We are all influenced and shaped by culture, too. None of us escapes it. Indeed, think about how much of the Old Testament is the story of ancient Israel’s being corrupted by the cultures around it. What makes us think that we today are any different, or better?
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
The Word of God also is given in a specific culture, even though it is not limited to this one culture. While cultural factors unavoidably influence our understanding of the Bible, we should not lose sight of the fact that the Bible also transcends established cultural categories of ethnicity, empire, and social status. This is one reason why the Bible surpasses any human culture and is even capable of transforming and correcting the sinful elements that we find in every culture.
Read 1 John 2:15-17. What does John mean when He states that we should not love the things of the world? How can we live in the world and yet not have a worldly mindset?
Culture, like any other facet of God’s creation, is affected by sin. Consequently, it also stands under the judgment of God. Yes, some aspects of our culture might align very nicely with our faith, but we must always be careful to distinguish between the two. Ideally, biblical faith should challenge, if need be, the existing culture and create a counter culture that is faithful to God’s Word. Unless we have something anchored in us that comes from above us, we will soon give in to that which is around us.
Ellen G. White provides the following insight: “The followers of Christ are to be separate from the world in principles and interests, but they are not to isolate themselves from the world. The Saviour mingled constantly with men, not to encourage them in anything that was not in accordance with God’s will, but to uplift and ennoble them”. — Ellen G. White, Counsels to Parents, Teachers, and Students , p. 323.
| What aspects of your culture are in complete opposition to biblical faith? More important, how do we stand firm against those aspects attempting to corrupt our faith? |
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We would find it very difficult if we could experience a time-shift and move back, say, into New Testament times and occupy a place in the church of Corinth. Church services would be run very differently, The notion of a dedicated church building would be non-existent and I imagine that a meeting was probably centred around a meal. Jewish culture would still be very much part of the thinking of Jewish Christians, and a considerable presence for non-Jewish Christians. Quite possibly some of the worshipers would be slaves. Women and men would most likely be segregated if it was a large group.
I would imagine that we would have culture shock. Most of our church liturgy is an adaptation of the middle-ages "large-church" environment where people were stood in rows in a large building where they could be preached at by a single individual. It struck me as somewhat ironic that modern churches owe more of their liturgical practice to the dark ages than to the apostolic church of the New Testament. That does not make our modern practice wrong. It merely illustrates one effect of the shift in culture that has taken place in the 2000 year history of the Christian Church.
And as a little Seventh-day Adventist aside, the idea of Sabbath School, where we gather in smaller groups to study the Bible together is almost a uniquely Adventist cultural practice. We have the freedom in our churches to say what we think about the Bible to one another rather than have every thought dictated by the church hierarchy. Most other Christian churches either don't have that activity or if they do it is very catechistic. What takes place is a question and answer session with "correct" answers being read out without discussion.
We have in Sabbath School a unique experience that is worth protecting and promoting. It saddens me to see the demise of Sabbath School in many of our churches these days. It has always been one of the strengths of our Adventist culture.
One thing I would add to your closing thought Maurice, is that the SS work has been called "our greatest evangelistic work" by an inspired writer, yet it seems to have fallen into difficult and confusing times. Yes, lamentable.
I concur. Moving back in time would be a substantial experience in culture shock for me.
I recently purchased "Pagan Christianity" by Frank Viola and George Barna. They discussed much of what you referred to as pagan [not everything pagan is bad, however]. They included the sermon, ordained pastors, preaching from a platform, ministers of music, the order of worship and more as having pagan origins. Not surprising to me, they omitted Sunday worship! Just saying.
"Most other Christian churches either don't have that activity or if they do it is very catechistic."
Maybe that is why I have been invited to Tuesday evening Bible Study by non-Adventist friends in their homes.
A lot more of Scripture would make a lot more sense if we could be transported back to that culture. How interesting of a trip back in time that would be.
As it is we see through a glass darkly due to our culture for which we experience everyday, and the lack of experience of their culture in their day.
As l may l ask what are the examples of how the lsrael were corrupted by culture
Baal worship is perhaps the most obvious example. While we are critical of the Israelites returning to Baal worship it need to be remembered that there were quite a few similarities between Baal worship and Israelite worship. Their temple services were not dissimilar. If you are cynical you would probably say that Israelite worship lacked the eroticism and human sacrifice elements of Baal worship. Its big attraction for the Israelites was that Baal worship was centred on fertility and in times of drought and famine it was easy to blame your god and try someone else's god.
Having a king, which then took the eyes of the nation away from God and the writings of Moses, and everything else came in like a flood.
It should be added that the early church had similar issues. The early church was corrupted by culture, too, as many of the warnings in the letters of Paul and Peter describe. The tug of cultural is constant as we live in it. We breathe it. It touches every aspect of our existence. Hence, the call to not allow the world to "press you into its mold" and that phrase is suggesting a passivity that allows the molding to the world. It takes constant effort in transformation in our minds and hearts to avoid the "mold press" of the world.
Just to amplify on Maurice's comment on Israel being corrupted by Baal worship, unfortunately it always culminated with child sacrifice which God abhors. Every time it reached this level, God pulled back His protecting hand from Israel and allowed Israel to be taken into captivity.
Jeremiah 19: 4-5
4 For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent. 5 They have built the high places of Baal to burn their children in the fire as offerings to Baal—something I did not command or mention, nor did it enter my mind.
The Israelites probably thought this was a barbaric that would never be practiced in their nation. Abandoned from the teachings of the Lord. Influenced by the cultures of the world they spilled the blood of the innocent and burn their own children at the altar.
How many broken families exist because of cultural influence which teaches individualism? Defiance to all authority and power is leading us down the destructive path of everyone establishing their own standard.
Even in our global community of faith we find influences from our different cultures in dress and worship. When do these differences matter?
What difference have missionaries encountered and how have they dealt with them? What about cannibalism? Many wives? Slavery? Half nude savages?
What is the essence of the gospel? A changed character or a change in dress and worship - having a form of godliness but denying its power to change hearts. 2Tim 3:5
an example of the problem with other cultures that the Israelites encountered is found in the story of Balaam, when he couldn't curse Israel so he taught Balak to put a stumbling block in their path by first enticing them to have sex with the Moab women who then introduced them to eating things sacrificed to idols/worshiping idols. Rev 2:14, Num 25:1-3
Moabites were distant relatives of Israel, Moab was the son of Lot the nephew of Abraham.
Yes, Shirley. The change begins from within, and even then views of nudity don't necessarily change
In one of the outposts in a Island nation in which a village embraced the gospel, our church sent a team to report on the blessings of souls saved. Upon arrival the women of the village wore nothing on top. The delegation was invited to the chief's, himself and his family SDA, to dinner. The delegation came to dinner and the chief's wife was without top as all the other women.
It came time to take a few pictures documenting a village having come to knowledge of the truth. As the camera man readied for the snapshot, the chief's wife kindly excused herself for a moment, to reappear with a dress of western taste and refinement. It covered top and bottom well.
The chief's wife showed cultural sensitivity, and village citizens revealed that even accepting truth doesn't necessarily change ones "exposing" attire to be viewed as naughty.
I haven’t got a pamphlet yet so I don’t know if this is the only time culture is mentioned this quarter. I hope not. I have learned more and understood the Bible better in the last couple of years than I have in the previous 60; by reading Jewish Messianic commentaries and learning something of the cultures the Bible was written in, because it was heavily influenced by those cultures. We miss so much by trying to understand the Bible from a 21st-century Western cultural viewpoint.
You don't need a pamphlet. At the top click in the 3 bars on the left. Then click on Adult SS. Then click on Weekly lesson. Then you can browse the next 8 or so lessons by clicking on next.
What aspects of your culture are in complete opposition to biblical faith? More important, how do we stand firm against those aspects attempting to corrupt our faith?
The "don't take anything too serious" is a part of my surrounding culture that can be in complete opposition to biblical faith.
Another one is "material things are more important than spiritual things". This one is not really appearing on the surface, but it is certainly something that can affect us all. Because for sure, as humans, we all give much more importance to what we see than to what we can't. That's probably why we do not grow in faith!
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see. The act of faith is what distinguished our ancestors, set them above the crowd." Hebrews 11:1.
But they mingled with the nations and learned their practices
Ps 106:35
Teach me, Jesus, to differentiate between you and the world
The practices of culture which are governed by the world are in contrast with the practices which Christ laid ours for his people.
Moses, to the people in Israel, laid out God's plan. Deutro 18:14-20 showed a simple plan for the people when they entered the Promised land. Had they followed the plan, God by his power would have continued to be their God.
1. God was their King- told not to have kings like the other nations. But if they have a King his duties were listed in Deutro 18:18-20
2. Not to multiply horses to horses-horses were used in battle war. He, the Lord would have fought for them. We read Solomon had 40,000 stalls of horses but in all of his life, he never fought a war.
3. Not to have wives- God desired was for one wife to a man.
4. Not to have much silver and gold- those had their purpose in the temple. Out of the temple for personal use it appeared was not allowed. If I am wrong, support your answers with scriptural context.
But what sin does, it starts somewhere in our lives. The Jews lived with the other nations after entering the promised land, they intermingled, they conversed, the married, they went with them to worship their false gods. As Israel sank deeper and deeper into apostasy, wrong seems right, right seems wrong. Look at the leaders and some of the King's behavior? They turned from following Jesus and to them they were right.
They disobeyed in their times and we saw the downward sloop when the culture of the world join with the church/Israel.
What about us in our time and in our own countries/islands?
Do we agree with some, all, none, of our cultural norms? Do we bring them into the church? We have to live, eat, work etc. but even those affect our culture.
In the apostle's time, were they looking at the big picture of Christianity? They surely had the same problems we facing now. How do I knew the Western-style music and foods in the church are right and the Eastern types/kinds aren't and, visa versa? Same with dressing? Education?.
Does the Bible say anything about those?
The Holy Spirit speaks to SDA Christians whether you live in the east, west, north or south of this globe. Do some of those things matter in finishing the Gospel? In making it to our eternal destination?
I remember when I was not an Adventist. I dressed in a certain way. It was the style, it was culture, it was the norm. To me, I did not see anything wrong about it. Others probably saw but I did not. Until Christ open my eyes and I behold, then I saw. So it is with many, coming to church does not make no one a Christian. It is the relationship we have with God six days a week that forms and fashion our minds for the Sabbath. The Holy Spirit directs our minds in the choice of music we listen to, the things we eat, the places we go. Sometimes workmates try to get me to go to pubs/disco/dance/house parties with alcohol etc. My love for my Jesus will tell me not to.
I ask myself, what if I am wrong about the other culture???
I was thinking about the influence that dress can have on a person or a people. A Saudi student asked me once why the Americans who are converted to Islam wear the fob and generally mimic the clothing of the Middle East? I, along with some others thought the clothing went with the religion. No, he countered. We dress that way when we are home in country because it is our culture, not our religion.
Do we teach OUR culture as part of our religion? I think sometimes we do. The teacher may add that what the convert is doing, how they dress,how they live, although in keeping with their culture, is not acceptable to God. Without a clear 'thus saith the Lord' this may be damaging. In this way, we may add additional burdens and a skewed view of God.
Never entered my mind to that, but can we separate religion from culture? religion is deeply embedded in the culture. I don't see Jesus imposing a particular kind of Jewish culture, in fact, he chastised them for lacking the faith and reason for holding to those traditions and cultures. I recall growing up, you would not be allowed to mount the pulpit unless you are in suit and tie. That became offensive to me in my teenage years. More broadly imposition of some new types of culture on religion has had a debilitating effect in Africa for many years. How we balance these two, to elevate Jesus and His saving grace need a lot of spiritual guidance.
When we enter into the Divine covenant of grace we are pledging ourselves to the culture of righteousness. This will lead to putting away anything in our earthly culture that offends a righteous God as He has defined such offenses in His word.
This is how our Divine Shepherd will lead us in the path of righteousness and overcoming.
Today’s lesson really brought some things to my mind. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, people have been asked (at least where I am) to shelter in place, to only go in public if you need groceries or medicine. People’s reactions have been interesting to say the least. The American culture has become a fast paced life, what’s the next new adventure, the fun place to eat or go to. Always being entertained, with no quiet time to spend with family or God. Some have felt this a great burden, they don’t know what to do. FB posts by friends asking for suggestions of a good binge worthy series or a good movie etc. Our culture has become the thing that has taken us away from being able to, or even desiring to spend quiet time with God, or even our families. I’ve wondered if this pandemic has actually brought with it, a means for us to turn our minds to spiritual things. I certainly don’t believe God brought it on, but He has a history of using bad situations to bring out good things, perhaps even a cultural change. Our example as Christians and how we handle trying times, can be what “the world” needs to point them to Jesus.
On Culture:
The writer of Tuesday's lesson seems to overlook that culture is man's expression of his relationship with the world. Culture does not develop itself. It is the outward manifestation of what is in man's heart.
Man's own understanding of what is important to him, has developed this. Jews or Gentiles, they all developed their culture based on the material and spiritual values they espoused.
God warned His people not to go the way of the heathen nations because it was not His way - His way is life; theirs is the usurper's/adversary's way and leads to destruction.
We are in essence spiritual beings. Now, being born again and filled by the Holy Spirit, we can 'see' the folly of our ways and choose the right path.
The warning is: Do not get attached to things that perish - ANYTHING! Whether related to 'mammon', culture, tradition or experience. For if you do, your focus will be to work to keep the things you attached your heart to and to protect it from 'destruction'! But destruction will come in one form or another. It will become very, very difficult to let go. Matt.6:20-25
Jesus in Matt.19:16-26 speaks of a 'young, rich man' who came to ask of him what he should do so that he may have eternal life.
The answer given is two-fold. The first part addressed the importance to follow God's commandments. The second, to show him that it is very difficult to live in this world without developing attachments to material things which, if wanting to hold onto them, will form great stumbling blocks on the way to eternal life.
What then do we do with cultural influences?
When we submit everything about us - heart, mind and spirit - to the cleansing influence of the Holy Spirit, He will direct our path and show us the right way to interact with the world.
Matt.7:13; Prov.3:6; Psalm 37:23,24.
Be alert not to become a friend of the word - James 4:4 - by carelessly interacting with its cultures or to alienate people form other cultures because of a judgmental spirit.
Rom.12:1,2 : I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not confirmed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.
1.Cor.13 - We need to keep our focus on what REALLY matters. We want to make sure that we interact with all the people of the world and their cultures and customs in the same way - through the love that God has placed into our new hearts for our fellow man. It will deal correctly with the cultural differences.
Ellen White's quote in Tuesday's lesson speaks to that:
"The followers of Christ are to be separate from the world in PRINCIPLES AND INTERESTS, but they are not to isolate themselves from the world. The Saviour mingled constantly with men, not to encourage them in anything that was not in accordance with God's will, but to uplift and ennoble them."
I like your perspective on culture. However with all due respect, the author pretty much says in the paragraph just before the Sister White quote, what you said in your 1st paragraph. "Culture, like any other facet of God’s creation, is affected by sin. Consequently, it also stands under the judgment of God. Yes, some aspects of our culture might align very nicely with our faith, but we must always be careful to distinguish between the two. Ideally, biblical faith should challenge, if need be, the existing culture and create a counter culture that is faithful to God’s Word. Unless we have something anchored in us that comes from above us, we will soon give in to that which is around us."
So yes whats in your heart is the culture you choose. I let Christ fill the chambers of my heart, I have a Christ like culture. Thus sin does not affect my culture.
Just as a reminder to ALL, Jesus came to this World to be the Savior to everyone in this World regardless of culture, race, or language. He took upon Himself ALL of our sins. He has clothes us with His righteousness. We have ALL died and resurrected with Him and we sit with Him on the throne of God. It is the Spirit of God that transforms us to be like Christ in character. I do not think the issue is our culture but mostly our mind and heart.
New age religion and the sweeping waves of mass-marketed religion is also a new kind of culture. It is very attractive to young people and moving them into these newer churches with 'Jesus culture'. I was totally disgusted when one sabbath as part of our worship service we were ushered into some holy yoga stretches. I can't say how popular that is, but it resonates with some members who can't see anything wrong with 'meditation'. These are identical ways that God's people got sidetracked. Those are the same approaches by which paganism entered and took center stage in Christianity.
Yes Jesus came to save this world. But again scripture tells us that only those who believe in Him shall be saved.
When it comes to culture, I have always asked myself this one question, "when are saved as we claim to be, are we saved in our cultures or out of our culture?" From my anthropological knowledge, culture is defined us "a people's way of life." That is the simplest definition.
Each and everyone of us is born in societies that have various cultures and traditions (just like Jesus was), none of which I will praise or condemn. But we have to follow the example of our master. Through "it is written," He could always tell the difference between what is Godly and what is not. More than once we see Him having to contend with the religious leaders on various cultures that he couldn't allow Himself to be part of.
In Jesus prayer at Gethsemane, He says that we are in the world but we are not of the world. I say we are born in our societal cultures, or even religious cultures but we are not of those culture, we belong to the Heavenly culture.
Ruth had to forsake everything she ever believed in to accept Naomi's heavenly beliefs. The Hebrew boys had to cling to their culture even into the land of Babylon and God favored then for that. We have so many examples we can get in the Bible that will tell us of people forsaking their normal ways of life to follow Jesus. If we are to become sons and daughters of God, then we'll also have to forsake our cultures and adopt the Biblical culture that is prescribed to us by God Himself.
The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly,......the mighty man shall cry there bitterly Zep 1:14
Many are looking at what is emerging into the church culture. Can I ask, what are we doing to stop or prevent such from happening?
Are we praying to Jesus about it, then approaching the Pastors, leaders and church in general? What I learnt a long time ago is; there is tact in doing everything.
If we sit on the church board, bring it to the board. If we are a leader/assistance leader, we should organize different sessions whether during the sabbath or during the week to edu the congregation about our concerns. Edu the members on both eastern and western forms of healing, exercise, etc that is different from the bible. Let the people know about the origins of certain energy healing and how the originated (reike, pranic, crystal, quantum, qigong). Holistic Medicine (diet, exercise, psychotherapy, relationship and spiritual counseling). There are so many more out there, the origin of karate, acupuncture, yoga etc. We can ask others to help us even in times like these now we are using the internet for worship in several places.
A few years ago as I was meditating, I heard a voice said to me do not let the church become as in the days of Rehoboam. I was astonished. From since then I am observing the worship and I used my voice, means and actions to prevent such from happening. We cant sit by while others desecrate the body of worshipers and say nothing. Some members are seeing things going wrong but says nothing, some members coming into the church but do not know anything better so we are given the responsibility to edu and council others.