Liberty Theological Seminary

The Role of Culture in Gospel Communication Submitted to Dr. Daniel Sheard as per the requirements For the course: Cross-Cultural Evangelism and Church Planting

Submitted by Godfrey Ritter 5 July 2010

I have often said that what attracted me to the gospel of Jesus Christ is not what is going to attract a new and upcoming generation of young people. We, as Christians tend to think that our way is the best way without looking into or investigating how others view Christianity; or how their culture sees God in light of their own views and ways of expression. True, I believe that as Christians we should always preserve and maintain the integrity of the Bible. However, we need to be innovative in our efforts to sharing Christ with a different culture of people, whether this culture is at our own back door or in another country thousands of miles away from us. We have a close minded idea of Christianity in most of our protestant churches today. We have this preconceived idea of what a Christian is supposed to look like and act like. When we subject ourselves to these types of feelings, we are shutting down our abilities to accept people where they are no matter what culture they are from or what they believe about God, Jesus Christ and Christianity. The children of this 21st century are a lot different from the children of the 20th century. There dress, vocabulary and what they are interested in have changed over the years. Parents need to be aware of this cultural change so as to be a better witness for their own children in this rapidly changing culture in which we live. As Christians, we are going to have to step outside of the box with regard to evangelizing. We cant limit ourselves to sharing the gospel with people that look like us and talk like us. There is a vast universe out there that is in need of the gospel of Christ and we have a responsibility to share that news no matter the culture or how different that culture may be to our own.

There is this article titled, Christians in the Hipster Subculture: What does the Gospel have to do with Skinny Jeans, Irony, and Indie Bands? The article addresses the issue of the gospel and how it relates to this new culture that is on the scene. The article talks about the hipster aestheticism that we are seeing everywhere among our young people in our society. We see them in the churches, schools and on the street as we are driving our vehicles in town. We find these things being forced upon our conservative Christian culture and we are asking questions. There are the piercing, tattoos, and music that is going against the grain of Christian conservatism. It makes us wonder whether or not these types of things are hurting Christianity or helping us reach a different generation and culture for the Lord Jesus Christ. The article states, We may see hipsters as outsiders, yet Christian hipsters are working within the tradition, critically reflecting in new ways on the nature of their faith and religious experience1 This new age group is doing what we have done and continue to do within our own culture and way of life. There is no one wrong just different. Sure, there are those that are doing these things for attention only. They have no other desire other than drawing attention to themselves. Yet, there are those that are really experiencing God in their own way. The article further reveals, While some hipsters might simply be adopting the lifestyle choices of their coolest friends, others are engaging in genuine and fruitful reflection about what it means to be Christian2 We must use these ideas and differences as tools to be more effective in sharing the gospel in an ever changing culture.

1 2

Courtney Wilder and Jeremy Rehwaldt-Alexander, Lutheran Education v. 143 no. 2 (2010) 120 Courtney Wilder and Jeremy Rehwaldt-Alexander, Lutheran Education v. 143 no. 2 (2010) 120

There is an interesting article by Kent Annan that addresses a very interesting topic entitled, Christ and Whose Culture? The article is about a group of Native American evangelical theologians that are rejecting the idea of choosing Christ or their culture. Now, we know how dedicated the Native Americans are to their rich history and culture and the thought of some having to deny their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ in order to maintain and sustain their culture seems bizarre at best. It seems their ideas embrace the reality that everyone is going to believe their own way in response to their own faith. So, instead of arguing about theological differences, they are embracing what they have in commons with one another in order to work toward the same goal. In the article we read the following statement: Its a problem of being heard, says Randy Woodley, one of the theologians. I feel like 500 years ago, maybe God did bring the white people over. But it was supposed to be something mutual, where we learned from each other.3 This idea goes against any hierarchy of faith within the religious groups. Rather, it is the idea that we are here to compliment each other and not compete with each other with respect to our faith or beliefs in God. The article goes on to suggest that the Native American idea is something much more inclusive than conservative theology. They tend to unite themselves around common themes of their faith instead of arguing over the specifics that generally do not matter anyway. They speak of the holistic approach to theology rather than exclusive idea that many Christians seem to embrace in their efforts to maintain that their ways are the best and or only way to exercise our faith.

Kent Annan, Sojourners v. 38 no. 6 (June 2009) , 34.

Furthermore, the article states that in regard to the Native American idea of theology that many Americans have been excluded from the real truth of how many indigenous people have been mistreated over the years due to their lack of education, health and economic status. When we think of crossing the barriers into different cultures to present the gospel, we must ignore what the past teaches us. We must ignore the prejudice and the racial divides and seek the greater good. Andrea Smith, a Cherokee Indian and professor of American Culture and womens studies at the University of Michigan and a Southern Baptist involved in womens rights and antiviolence movements says, Therefore it no longer becomes a shaming act to say, hey, were not perfect, and we dont have our act together all the time. Instead we can be leaders in saying, Were not perfect and neither are you, but heres what were trying to do to work on things.4 We in America have the tendency to come across either directly or indirectly arrogant with regard to ministering to other cultures. We may not mean to, but that is just how it is, simply because we are a land of affluence and excess and people of other cultures know this about us. It is especially difficult for Americans to cross that cultural boundary. We have to make that extra effort to embrace other cultures and belief systems so as to be Jesus Christ to a lost world no matter the culture. At the closing of this article, an activist by the name of Brian Mclaren had this to say: Ive seen the Bible more for what it isfinding a God that loves each small tribe as much as each powerful nation5
4

Kent Annan, Sojourners v. 38 no. 6 (June 2009) , 34. Kent Annan, Sojourners v. 38 no. 6 (June 2009) , 34.

Eboo Patel, founder of a national movement promoting interfaith religious cooperation and one of President Barack Obamas advisers on faith, is tackling what he considers the color line of the 21st century: the faith line. This particular article is on religious tolerance. Truly, this is an issue in our country today. We here the word tolerance all over the place and included in just about every environment. But, what about religious tolerance and how does that affect the culture with regard to sharing the news of Jesus Christ to the world? Eboo states in the article that: Everyone in America should challenge religious prejudice just like we challenge racial and gender prejudice6 This is a challenge and another barrier we have to cross if we are to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ in this world. I think that it is important to understand that Religious Tolerance doesnt mean Religious Agreement. Just because we tolerate one another in any environment, doesnt mean that we have to agree with them. However, if we are to share our faith, the first thing that we must do is gain the respect of those that we are trying to share with. If they realize that we respect them and love them right where they are, we will have a better chance of showing them Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches us that there is none righteous, no not one. Eboo further states: I recognize now that believing in pluralism means having the courage to act on it, he says. Action is what separates belief from merely an opinion7

Bill George, Uniting the Young on Religious Tolerance U.S. News & World Report 146, no. 10 (November 2009): 60 7 Bill George, Uniting the Young on Religious Tolerance U.S. News & World Report 146, no. 10 (November 2009): 60

The United States is becoming a melting pot of different cultures and religious beliefs. What are we going to do with this reality? We have a choice as Americans to either shun everybody because they are different or embrace them right where they are and be Jesus to them. One of the problems within Christianity and especially among the leaders is that they want to get people where they want them to be instead of reaching them right where they are. In an article entitled: Mixed Identities we see the religious diversity of the United Kingdom and how they respond to the melting pot of culture and religious freedom. Britain has a strong tradition of tolerance for religious and cultural difference. A live-and let-live orientation is pervasive. Many Britains take the view that all cultures are equal. I shouldnt force my culture on anyone else, They say, As long as they leave me alone, Ill leave them alone.8 It seems that here in America, this is not so easy. We tend to force our religion on people. At times, it is void of the love of Jesus Christ. We have the tendency to believe that we are right and all others are wrong. In the process of this thinking, we forget the common theme of unconditional love that should be expressed to all people. If we, as a society can learn to make people comfortable with whom they are and where they come from, this will open the door for Christians to share the gospel of Christ. The UK supports religious freedom as the United States does. There are some countries that do not allow this type of freedom. In the UK, most leaders support religious expression in public, in supporting this they encourage a shared sense of social identity9

8 9

Amy Frykholm, The Christian Century v. 126 no. 20 (October 6 2009), 28 Amy Frykholm, The Christian Century v. 126 no. 20 (October 6 2009), 28

Its a good feeling to be part of the Church. The body of believers those are able and honored to assemble together at their designated time to fellowship and worship the God of the bible. We spend a lot of time trying to figure out ways to bring people to church with different programs and clubs. We preach great evangelic sermons and we try to grow our Sunday school and adult ministry so that it attracts people to our assembly. But what is the church doing to reach those that are in need of the Savior that we love? Has the church excluded itself from going outside the comfort and the walls of the sanctuary? In an article by Robert Jenson entitled: How the world lost its story Jenson addresses the issue of the Churchs mission in regard to telling the story of God and His Word. In the article, Jenson states, It is the Churchs mission to tell all who will listen, God included, that the God of Israel has raises his servant Jesus from the dead, and to unpack the soteriological and doxological import of that fact 10 We are to tell all people regardless of race, religion or culture that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead and provided a way of eternal life for those that will choose to believe in Him. The Bible gives us the all inclusive gospel. Is this going to be easy for modern day Christians? No, many times it will be difficult and seem impossible, but, nevertheless it must be accomplished if we are to fulfill the Great Commission. Jenson further states, So how, with respect to the story must the Churchs mission be conducted? The prescription itself is obvious and simple; carrying it out is hard and in some situations perhaps impossible11

10 11

Robert W. Jenson , First Things no. 201 (March 20100, 31 Robert W. Jenson , First Things no. 201 (March 20100, 31

Many Christians live in a plastic bubble with regard to their own Christianity. They dont think that they are supposed to leave that bubble. Or, some think that this responsibility belongs to someone else, perhaps a pastor, missionary or evangelist. While these vocations are real and require a great amount of time and energy; it is the responsibility of Christianity to carry the gospel to the uttermost parts of the world and show them Jesus Christ. There is no sacrifice in sharing the gospel with people that look and sounds like us. We cant, as a society of Christians direct our efforts only to those who are within our circle of friends and acquaintances. There is a melting pot of culture in our own state. Jenson states: Throughout modernity, the Church has presumed that its mission was directed to persons who already understood themselves as inhabitants of a narratable world. Moreover, since the God of a narratable world is the God of Scripture, the Church was also able to presume that the narrative sense people had antecedently tried to make of their lives had somehow to cohere with the gospel story that the church had to communicate12 In other words, we have to be for people what may not be understood in the story of the gospel. We must live out the gospel for other people to see. We must be Jesus Christ and the Church for those that would otherwise not have the opportunity to hear or witness the love of the Lord Jesus Christ. The church must herself be a communal world in which promises are made and kept13 We must produce that stability and hope that a world without Christ needs.

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Robert W. Jenson , First Things no. 201 (March 2010), 34 Robert W. Jenson, First Things no. 201(March 2010), 36

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We hear about love all over the place. We hear from our children when they fall in love with someone at school. We, as parents know that this type of love is called puppy love we have all been there and we know the feelings that are accompanied with this type of emotion. Our society throws this word around carelessly. We love our cars, cell phones, televisions and many other things. However, as Christians, this love should take on a whole new meaning for us. If we are to be effective in sharing the gospel with those around us an abroad, we must convey the love of Christ in a genuine and non threatening way. Our desire as Christians is to bring as many people into the Kingdom of God that we can. After all, this is the great commission mandated by our Lord in the Scripture. Yet, we are forgetting to love those in whom we minister to. We tend to leave a lot unaccomplished with regard to sharing our faith, especially when we talk about sharing the gospel to different cultures. As stated earlier, we have the tendency to be arrogant and overbearing. In an article entitled Clash over the Culture War: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America? This idea of forgetting to show grace to those that we share the truth with is the main concern. Though nine out of ten Americans claim a belief in God, public expression of faith is more contentious than ever. Fed up with the angry, strident language filling the airwaves that has come to represent the Christian faith, author, director, and follower Dan Merchant set out to explore the collision of faith and culture in America14

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Dan Merchant Clash over the Culture War: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America? PR Newswire (March 10, 2008), 1

The article goes on to suggest that grace without love doesnt mean a whole lot, especially to a culture different than our own. Many countries are dealing with several different issues that we as Americans take for granted. There are third world countries that are dealing with a poverty epidemic and government concerns. Many dont know what is going to happen to their country or themselves and they are searching for hope and answers. We as nation of Christians have the great opportunity to offer them a special hope. We look beyond their culture and their shortcomings and we minister to them in a way that only Jesus can minister. We show them love first and then we share the truth with them about the gospel of Jesus. . We Christians are the ones who believe in the God of love right? Were the ones who love and worship the Prince of Peace, right? Isnt that us? Arent we the ones who are to hold patience, kindness, and forgiveness us as ideal standards? Were the Truth and Grace people, correct? Then why are we hammering others with the Truth and then neglecting to share the Grace?15 We tend to forget where we came from with regard to our own faith while we pursue the endeavor of sharing our faith with others. It is easy to get caught up in the moment of revealing that powerful truth to others. We inadvertently forget to exercise grace through the love that we have and can share from the Lord Jesus Christ. Its obvious for both local missions and abroad, that people dont care how much you know until they know how much you care.

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Clash over the Culture War: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America? PR Newswire (March 10, 2008), 1

The age of technology has certainly made its way into mainstream religion. We look at how far we have come as a society with regard to technology and its amazing to say the least. What about technology and the gospel? How does this affect the gospel and its presentation? In most of the larger churches today, we will see just about everything on the computer screen including the hymns and many times the sermon outline. Is this a bad thing or a good thing? Well, of course there are several ways to look at the advent of technology. However, I believe that technology can be used in a powerful way with regard to sharing the gospel and reaching other cultures. Technology has enabled us to cross boundaries that would have otherwise been inaccessible. In an article entitled The face-to face gospel and the death of distance we read: Technology is changing our lives at breakneck speed and in unpredictable ways. In just one decade, for example, the mobile phone has transformed the daily life of virtually every church leader in the world16 Wow, this is so true. I cant imagine life without my cell phone. When we think about technology, we have the tendency to think negatively at times about it, especially the cost and the stress at keeping up with the latest and the greatest. However, this technology gives us the opportunity to reach a multitude with the gospel. Technology also changes the way the gospel gets communicated, whether through PowerPoint slides, websites, or screens at multi-site churches17 Because of the advancement of technology, we as pastors, have a vast resource to bring a freshness to the sermon and bible study that we would have otherwise not had in order to reach an upcoming generation.

16 17

Tim Stafford, Christianity Today 54.6 (June 2010), 30(4) Tim Stafford, Christianity Today 54.6 (June 2010), 30(4)

We should never compete with technology. Rather, technology should compliment our efforts in reaching a new culture for the Lord Jesus. However, we do see in many of our churches, those that still prefer the old ways of doing things. Lets face it, there is a new generation that is coming up in our churches and we need to be innovative and creative in our methods of reaching them or we will lose them to the world. Through technology church leaders have a vast supply of resources at their fingertips. Church leaders lives could be changedwhere technology enables fundamental redesign of what we do. For example a pastor can readily access many more sources and incorporate video presentations. He or she can put sermons online and thus reach many more people18 We must think of the benefit of technology with respect to the cross-culture evangelical aspect. We have missionaries all across the world that are put in different cultures and are expected to learn the language and the customs of that culture. With the advent of the computer and the internet, missionaries and others are able to access language and culture studies that would have otherwise been inconvenient to learn and to pay for. We need to think about the communications challenge similar to a cross-cultural challenge. A missionary would not go to the Philippines without trying to understand the language and culture of the people there. So is it important for both church leaders and missionaries to understand the culture of the digital generation19 The technology that is available to us today has given us opportunities to spread the gospel and to reach those that are of a different culture and language.

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Tim Stafford, Christianity Today 54.6 (June 2010), 30(4) Tim Stafford, Christianity Today 54.6 (June 2010), 30(4)

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Technology should never be thought of as something we need to compete with. However, we need to be responsible with what we have and just like everything else in life, God has entrusted us to be good stewards with all the blessings that He has bestowed upon our lives. As we grow in society and as we advance in our technology, we must realize that God has given man the ability and wisdom to create certain things for the progression of culture and society. We shouldnt think of these technologies as replacing each other. We should think of them as layering to form an effective pattern of communication. Technology should not replace itself but rather compliment it20 Why do people still see technology as a bad thing? In every generation, there are going to be those pessimists that will find something wrong with everything. However, if we look objectively at technology, we will see that it allows us to be more personal with the ones we love as well as helping us in the business world. These technologies used to affect just our businesses. Now they affect us personally. The hit the ways we communicate with our neighbors and spouses. We have come to depend on the devices that we carry21 It seems that pastors and church leaders are wise to learn as much as they can about technology so as to be proficient in ministering to the digital culture that is present in our society. In the article, Al Erisman says: we need to think about ministry in the digital culture the way missionaries think about the culture of the people that they serve22

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Tim Stafford, Christianity Today 54.6 (June 2010), 30(4) Tim Stafford, Christianity Today 54.6 (June 2010), 30(4) Tim Stafford, Christianity Today 54.6 (June 2010), 30(4)

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In the closing article entitled Syncretism and the Eternal Word The author takes a look at the relevance of the Christian faith across the shifting boundaries of time and the impact that it has on culture, languages and institutions. The author, Jonathan Bonk suggests that the Christian faith is founded upon the idea of Syncretism. The Christian faith itself springs from the most astonishing syncretism conceivableGod becomes a human being; the eternal becomes temporal; omnipotence yields to powerlessness23 Christianity has been over the centuries defined by certain symbols of faith, doctrine and practices. The challenge has been trying to reach other cultures with the knowledge of Jesus Christ when that particular culture knows nothing about our Bible or the revelation that is presented therein. This is why translating the bible into other languages is an important part of sharing the gospel to other cultures. By translating the gospel into local languages, and adapting or accommodating to local ideas and customs, these are absorbed into the life of the church24 We as a church become and present a new world to other cultures by presenting the gospel in their native tongue. We must do what we can. However, we are still limited in our power. Only God can draw people to Him.25 In closing this article, No human system of thought, language, and behavior can do full justice to the mystery of God revealed through history, through people, through events, through human languages, through the Word made flesh. The treasure we carry is indeed entrusted to limited, earthen vessels

23 24

Jonathan Bonk, International Bulletin of Missionary Research v. 33 no. 4 (October 2009), 169 Jonathan Bonk, International Bulletin of Missionary Research v. 33 no. 4 (October 2009), 169 25 Jonathan Bonk, International Bulletin of Missionary Research v. 33 no. 4 (October 2009), 169

Bibliography Bank, Jonathan J.. Syncretism and the Eternal Word International Bulletin of Missionary Research 33, no.4 (October 2009): 169-170 George, Bill. Uniting the Young on Religious Tolerance. U.S. News & World Report 146, no. 10 (November 2009): 60 Annan, Kent. Christ and Whose Culture Sojourners 38, no. 6 (June 2009): 34-7, 47. Jenson, Robert W.. How the World lost its Story First Things (March 2010): 31-7 Frykholm, Amy. Mixed Identities The Christian Century v. 126 no. 20 (October 6 2009): 28-30 Clash over the Culture War: Why is the Gospel of Love Dividing America? PR Newswire (March 10 2008) Wilder, Courtney; Rehwaldt-Alexander, Jeremy. Christians in the Hipster Subculture What Does the Gospel have to do with Skinny Jeans, Irony, and Indie Bands? Lutheran Education v. 143 no. 2 (February 2010): 112-120 Stafford, Tim. The face-to-face gospel and the death of distance Christianity Today (June 2010): 30+