Culture and Perspective: February 2016
Table of Contents
Culture and Perspective
Culture is a significant, mostly unconscious influence in the way we see and perceive things. From the time we are born, we absorb habits of thought and behavior that have been put in us by the culture we are raised in. Without personal consideration and judgment, we accept them as correct. Gradually as we grow up, we realize that not everyone does things the way we have learned to do them. We start to see that whole groups of people of other races and places share ways of seeing and believing that are different from our own. In the world system set up by Satan, culture plays an important role in how he controls people. This fact is addressed in Romans 12:2: “Be not conformed 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.” A person, when first saved, has a mind full of the world’s culture, with all its wrong views of God and His will. Little by little, through the light of God’s Word and learning God’s mind, the thoughts of the believer are “transformed” so that he may think and act according to the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. And, as we consider in this issue, he learns to see God’s mind on how to properly view the cultural ways of believers and unbelievers that are different from the culture of his upbringing.
God and Culture
The dictionary defines culture as “the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; the characteristic features of everyday existence shared by people in a place or time.” Most of us are aware of culture, at least to some extent. Perhaps some individuals who have not traveled at all may believe that their system of beliefs and the characteristics of their way of life are universal, but the vast majority of us know that all of this varies greatly, even within the country in which we live. Where did culture originate and how are we, as Christians, to approach it? As always, on any subject touching our moral and spiritual life, we find wisdom in the Word of God.
The Beginnings
Up until man began to build the tower of Babel (Genesis 11), culture in this world was probably much the same everywhere. The world system which persists today had already begun, for we read that “Cain went out from the presence of the Lord ... and he builded a city” (Gen. 4:16-17). Then his descendants began farming, commerce and the arts. In all this, however, the language, speech and ambitions of man were the same, except for the family of faith, whose lives were surely distinct from the violence and corruption that characterized the world.
Doubtless this homogeneity continued for a time after the flood, for we read that “the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech” (Gen. 11:1). But then, because of man’s pride and his desire to “make us a name” (Gen. 11:4), God confounded their language. The result was that “from thence did the Lord scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth” (Gen. 11:9). As different groups developed around the various languages, different cultures began to form, and eventually different nations. Adding to this was the beginning of idolatry, as men, energized by Satan, began to abandon their knowledge of the true God and turn to false religions. As these false religions took root, certain cultures began to be associated with them; lifestyles and ways of thinking followed their religious beliefs. Over the years, different ethnic groups and their cultures have risen and fallen; nations too have risen to prominence, only to have their influence reduced over time and, in many cases, to have disappeared. Yet today there are probably more nations than at any other time in the world’s history, and there are innumerable cultures within nations.
Reasons for Culture
As we know well, people are generally very proud of their culture and way of doing things, and they love to portray this to others. Manners, customs and dress are important to them and are often carefully safeguarded. It distinguishes them from other groups and makes them feel part of that which they cherish as their heritage. To a degree, we can be thankful for culture, for it often civilizes fallen man and enables him to get along with his fellow-man. As another has aptly put it, “Culture is an embalming fluid that prevents the corpse of fallen man from becoming too objectionable.” While sinful man might well deny the fact that he is indeed fallen, yet he recognizes that culture, by enforcing certain codes of conduct, makes human interaction less difficult. On the other hand, human culture, since it originates in fallen man, is necessarily tainted with sin and often condones and even encourages that which, in God’s eyes, is morally wrong. This is especially true when culture is allied with a false religion, for every false religion panders to man’s lusts by legitimatizing sin, making it seem all right.
God’s Grace
We are now living in the time of God’s grace. It is important to see that God recognizes these different ways of living and reaches out to each one of them with His love. “Repentance and remission of sins” was to be “preached in His [Jesus’] name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). No nation or culture was to be specially favored; all were the objects of God’s love and grace. In the Old Testament, Israel was God’s favored nation, and as such it had special privileges. Now God has, for the time, set Israel aside as a nation, and He calls upon all, Jew and Gentile alike, to come and be saved. This does not negate what Scripture says, namely, that “righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people” (Prov. 14:34), and God has, and does, bless nations that honor Him, even in an outward way. But God is not dealing with nations or cultures as such today; rather, He is calling out from every nation those whom He has chosen to form His church.
Church Truth Transcends Culture
This is a wonderful truth and transcends any culture. Man may be depraved and far off from God; he may be part of a culture that outwardly dishonors God or part of a false religion that allows moral wrongdoing. Yet the truth remains, “The same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:12-13). We may confidently proclaim God’s love to any of the human race; all may come to Christ and be part of His church. Sad to say, this has often been forgotten in the history of the church, resulting in the formation of so-called “churches” along national and ethnic lines, as well as on language backgrounds. But God’s Word knows of only one church, formed of all believers. This brings us to our next point.
During this day of God’s grace, He is seeking to reconcile every culture in the church. He takes people of diverse backgrounds in every way and from every walk of life — rich or poor, educated or not — and puts them together in His church. Then He gives them that which enables them to rise above their background and unites them as one in Christ Jesus. Thus Paul could say, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Gal. 3:28).
The Unity of Believers
The natural man loves his own culture and ways, usually thinking them to be superior to others. He glories in that which distinguishes him and his people, emphasizing those differences which seem to make him better than others. (Of course, there are those who, disgusted and disillusioned with their own people and their ways, look for an opportunity to emigrate, eventually to embrace another culture. But the pride continues, only with new ways.) But for the believer, he has that which lifts him above his own thoughts and brings him into a unity, not only with other believers, but with Christ Himself. The world does not understand this, as they see those who come together from radically different backgrounds, yet made one as members of the body of Christ.
However, we also recognize that God, while bringing souls together from every culture, does not do away with the things that distinguish that culture, as long as they do not run counter to His claims. Thus Paul, in seeking to reach souls for Christ, adapted himself to various people in order to gain their ear. He could say, “I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some” (1 Cor. 9:22). Likewise, those who preached the gospel in the early church did not try to change local culture, but rather preached Christ. However, Paul did not adapt himself to culture at the expense of truth. He was an educated man, but he could say to the Corinthians, an educated and proud people, “I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). He did not use human wisdom or knowledge to impress them, lest it interfere with the simplicity of the gospel. Once they were saved, the proud and wealthy Corinthians found themselves in the body of Christ with those from Macedonia, who were relatively poor. Yet the Corinthians learned from their poor brethren how to give generously.
This brings us to our final point.
The Word Judges Every Culture
God through His Word judges every culture. As mentioned earlier, human culture, while seeking to elevate man, is permeated with failure and sin. Every culture has in it that which God’s Word speaks to and condemns. For example, Habakkuk, by inspiration, could call the Chaldeans “that bitter and hasty nation” (Hab. 1:6), while Hosea could say of Israel, “He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress” (Hos. 12:7). In the New Testament, Paul called the attention of Titus to the natural character and culture of the Cretans, using the strong language written by one of their own, more than 500 years before: “The Cretans are always liars, evil wild beasts, lazy gluttons” (Titus 1:12 JND). For these, and the bad characteristics of every other culture, God gives a rebuke in His Word, and He gives us what is needed to overcome.
Once we are saved, we belong to a new “culture,” if we might use the term, for we have new life in Christ. “Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17). We cannot excuse the activity of the flesh by saying, “But that is our culture!” (I have heard this plea from some who, as Christians, wanted to excuse certain bad practices in their lives.) Through God’s Word, the believer is able to deal with those things in his culture that are contrary to God and which hinder his development and growth as a Christian. Sometimes this can be very hard, for certain social customs and traditions can be very deeply ingrained, and failure to observe them may bring real reproach on a believer. However, we are called upon to be “a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14), for the believer is to be distinct from this world.
Rising Above Forms of Culture
In some areas of the world, such as North and South America, this may be somewhat easier to do, although the faithful believer will always stand out from the course of this world. In those areas, there has been a melding of many different cultures, and people are accustomed to varying lifestyles and practices. But this, in turn, has given rise to another difficulty, as it has promoted pluralistic thinking. Sad to say, some Christians have bought into this and have supported pluralism, because it tolerates a form of Christianity that does not make demands on the culture or call it into question. The result is really absurdity, for ultimately absolute truth is denied; all truth is considered relative. But in other areas of the world, where religion and culture have been intimately tied together for thousands of years, any deviation from the norm immediately arouses strong resentment. The river of common custom and behavior runs very strong and very deep, and all are expected to conform. But God gives the grace for whatever conditions He may allow, and there is more power in the Spirit of God to help us honor Him than in all of Satan’s hosts to drag us down.
In summary, then, we may say that God recognizes culture and reaches out in grace to all cultures in this day of the gospel of His grace. He brings them together “in one body by the cross” (Eph. 2:16), raising them above the background in which they grew up, and gives them new desires and associations. Finally, He judges every culture, showing us in His Word how to weed out those attitudes and patterns of living that hinder our walk with Him, in order that we might “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5:8).
W. J. Prost
Culture and the Christian
The Christian faith is not a mere form of cultural practices that the Bible teaches; new life through faith in Christ is the core of Christian faith. The cultural practices are agencies or means by which our faith may be demonstrated. Some cultural practices are good and they help in witnessing for Christ. Other cultural practices are evil in themselves, as, for example, any form of idolatry. But in many cases the good or evil is not in the culture but in how it is used to convey our testimony.
The Good of Culture
From the beginning of the Christian era, we have examples of customs that were carried on and still are regarded as good cultural practices. In Acts 16:13 Luke wrote, “We went out of the city by a river side, where prayer was wont [accustomed] to be made.” The prayer meeting is a regular part of the culture of Christian people. “The family that prays together stays together” is commonly quoted and is recognized to be good for families, assemblies and nations.
Paul wrote to the Corinthians of the futility of resisting evil communications if there is no resurrection. “If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (1 Cor. 15:32-33). Paul’s conduct was an example of the converse of this statement. He, with good communications, set a standard of good manners. Those of us living in Christian lands where there has been a long history of believers who followed biblical teaching are blessed with many cultural practices that foster good behavior.
The recognition of the first day of the week as being “the Lord’s Day” has impacted society in Christian countries. The first day of the week was the day the Lord rose from the dead. He appeared to them on that day and the early disciples started the trend to come together to
remember Him in His death on that day. This was different from the Sabbath that they were accustomed to observe under the law. Sad to say, as church attendance has dropped in recent years, more and more the Lord’s Day is used for pleasure. It is good for us to appreciate these customs. We do well to preserve them, not just for the sake of the culture, but because of the good moral influence they are to us. There are many other good cultural practices; these few we mention as sufficient for the present purpose.
Changing Culture
Daniel and his three friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, lived at a very difficult time. They were removed from their homes, families, country, language and religious temple. If ever there was a case of “culture shock,” they felt it! Yet they managed to represent their God faithfully as they dealt with these cultural changes. We are living in days of rapid changes of culture. It is not enough just to hold the course doing things the way our ancestors did. Nor can we safely accept every new cultural practice that the world endorses.
Let us consider how the use of the new Babylonian names played out in their lives. Daniel’s name means “my God is judge.” He was given the name “Belteshazzar,” which was the name of Nebuchadnezzar’s god (Dan. 4:8). Early on in the use of these names, we see the stage is set to determine whose god is the real God. Daniel and his three companions were not in a position to dispute this change of their names. Though they were of royal lineage, they must accept that God had given the government of the earth to a Gentile empire. Daniel did request that they be given food and drink that would not defile them. This one form of separation was enough to give witness to their God and culture.
Daniel was tested on his separation from idolatry and was faithful to his God. He proved to the king that his God was over him. Nebuchadnezzar eventually owned that Daniel’s God was the God of heaven. In essence, Daniel changed the culture of the Gentile king by his faithful testimony. It was not his culture that changed the king; it was his faith and testimony. Cultural issues were at play, but they were only the agencies to display his faith and God’s power. Over the course of the book, the name “Daniel” is used more frequently than “Belteshazzar.” King Nebuchadnezzar even made a decree “that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God” (Dan. 6:26).
Daniel’s Companions
This frequent use of their Hebrew names is not followed regards Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. They are referred to as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Equally they were tested for their faith in Jehovah by being asked to bow down to the golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar. Inasmuch as they had adopted Babylonian names, it was not just a cultural practice with them. It was the idolatry in the culture they refused. They humbly submitted in every way except to bow to another god than their God. The king had arranged a strong culture of beauty and music to unify body, soul and spirit of all people under one religion. But all the rhythm of the music, all the emotional influence to captivate their souls, and all the reasoning of the religious minds to control the spirits of these three would not make them bow down. By faith they “quenched the violence of fire” (Heb. 11:34). “Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent His angel, and delivered His servants that trusted in Him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God” (Dan. 3:28). They overcame a powerful culture. God is referred to as their God without any recognition of their Hebrew names. Where there is faith and obedience, God responds, whether it is a Babylonian culture or a Hebrew culture.
Culture Degeneration
Many cultural practices developed in the Old Testament when Israel was under the law. These were a part of daily life and helped them observe the ordinances and keep the commandments. But as time passed, the reason for them was often forgotten and the practices degenerated into hindrances to godliness, or even going so far as to become evil practices. For example, in Deuteronomy 6 they were told to bind the words of the law for a sign upon their hands and as frontlets between their eyes. In later years, a tradition developed of making phylacteries that the Lord condemns in the strongest terms. He said in Matthew 23:4-5, “They bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments.” The importance of keeping before their eyes and hands the commandments was lost and it became a self-righteous tradition.
The brazen serpent that Moses made was destroyed by King Hezekiah because it became an object of idolatry. “He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made: for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it Nehushtan” (2 Kings 18:4). It had lost its true significance of representing the one who bore the judgment that enabled the sin-stricken victims to go free. Therefore, King Hezekiah called it Nehushtan (a piece of brass). The true significance of it is made known in John 3:14-15: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.” The culture failed to uphold its purpose, but the true meaning has been maintained by God’s Word.
The Right Emphasis on Culture
As mentioned above in the case of the brazen serpent on the pole, there is a danger of being overly occupied with the form of the practice while the spiritual purpose in what God instituted is forgotten. Another case of cultural failure was in the days of Eli the priest. The children of Israel carried the ark of God into the battle with the Philistines for protection. In doing so, they had lost sight of the Lord’s presence in the ark. The ark became an icon to them. The God of the ark was not before them, so they said, “It may save us.” The consequences were terrible. They not only lost the battle, but also the ark of God was taken from them. The same danger is before the Christian testimony now. Too much emphasis on cultural practices without presenting the basic purposes of God in these practices will set us on the wrong track. This happens in subtle ways, because outwardly the right religious practices are carried on, but the Lord is left out. The Laodicean church is an example of this. The culture was carried on, but the Lord was left out.
In this regard, it is important for us to not overemphasize the cultural practices. A high diet of subjective ministry directed toward the behavior, dress, or doing what godly brethren do — causing them to adopt our culture — is not the right approach. We must first fill them with Christ and all the fullness of Christian position. Then He will be the focus and self will be forgotten. When that is done, a smaller diet of subjective ministry will go a long way to making Christians conform to right behavior. The right balance is needed. A brother put it well when he wrote, “If we preach the effects of redemption in human life instead of the revelation of Jesus Christ, the result in those who listen is not new birth, but refined spiritual culture.” May the Lord, then, be more before us and help us have the right emphasis on cultural practices. “The very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thess. 5:23).
D. C. Buchanan
Glorify God in Your Body
1 Corinthians 6:20
Glorifying God is not mere avoidance of the sin which gave occasion to this apostolic rebuke and exhortation; it is the obligation of everyone who names the name of the Lord. If these “members” were only like the thistles that grow on uncultured ground, there would be room for the opinion of some, that by appropriate training and culture the thistles would be removed and good plants take their place. But this approach forgets or denies that the soil is evil. It is so evil that a good plant will not take root. The fond expectation of the religious world thinks to educate men to be Christians and, in time, to inaugurate the millennial kingdom which is of their own making. Their idea of Christianity is the development of what is good in man! But what is developed? Nature is dominated by sin, and the culture of nature is the culture of sin. Stringent laws may repress crime, but they will never cause a thistle to produce figs. How can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit? The scripture does not say, Pluck off the evil fruit, but “put to death” the members, the constituents. How is this to be done? He who has never realized (by submission to the righteousness of God) his victory in Christ over sin in his members feels his own weakness before the strength of sin; when he would do good, evil is present, and he cries out, “O wretched man that I am: who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” (Rom. 7). Blessed be God, faith in Him who shed His precious blood, by which we have forgiveness of sins, gives us dominion over sin, so that it shall not reign over our mortal bodies, for as, on the one hand, the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus liberated me from the law of sin and death, so, on the other hand, God, sending His own Son in likeness of sinful flesh and as a sacrifice for sin, that the righteous import of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, condemned sin in the flesh, and by faith in Him we are free. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.” In Him we have redemption from the guilt and power of sin. In Him we have put off the old man and have put on the new. For us, the sinful nature is already judged.
R. Beacon, from
the Bible Treasury
Cultural Interaction Among Believers
In another article in this issue, we have discussed how God brings together in His church people from every culture and language, making them one in Christ. This is a wonderful truth, and it is a triumph of the grace of God, reversing, in a sense, what happened at the tower of Babel, when God scattered man over the face of the earth by confounding their language. Now God seeks to bring man together in the church, not for earthly pride, but rather to share Christ’s glory and a heavenly calling.
All of the distinctions between various peoples have not yet been removed, however, for differences in language, culture and thinking remain, even among believers. These can sometimes cause problems, as believers from various backgrounds interact together.
Heavenly Position
First of all, there is the danger of forgetting that our position as Christians raises us above what we are by nature. Instead of looking upon ourselves as heavenly citizens, we may continue to identify ourselves primarily by our language, culture or nationality. This tends to promote competition and disunity among believers, instead of that oneness of mind that ought to characterize us. The problem is especially evident when some believers are connected by human citizenship with stronger and wealthier nations, and others perhaps are from poorer and weaker ones. This same difficulty occurred in a smaller way in the assembly in Corinth, where wealthier saints did not interact in a charitable way with poorer ones, but rather shamed them (1 Cor. 11:20-22). We must remember that the bonds we have in Christ transcend any human considerations. A man of God made a good remark many years ago when he said, “I can understand a Christian saying ‘my coat’ or ‘my home,’ referring to personal things necessary to this life, but only a believer on the lowest rung of the spiritual ladder would say ‘my country.’” If we really understand our heavenly calling, we will realize the transcending truth of being heavenly citizens first and foremost.
As nations engage in disputes, strife and warfare, it is easy for us as believers to identify with the particular country of which we are earthly citizens and to feel that the cause of that country is just. Needless to say, this tends to set believers against believers and practically denies their heavenly calling. It is falling down to the level of this world to be involved with the strife of “the potsherds of the earth” (Isa. 45:9). Whether we, as believers, originate from strong and influential countries or from those that are weaker and less prominent in the world scene, we need to remember that our identification with the family of God raises us above all this. Even groups in the world recognize this principle, as evidenced in the formation of such organizations as “Medecins Sans Frontieres” (Doctors Without Borders), who seek to act together with others of their profession, outside of political considerations. How much more should we as believers be able to do this!
Traditions
Second, there are often certain traditions and ways of doing things that are part of us and which inevitably creep into our spiritual lives, even though they may have no basis in the Word of God. These traditions are not necessarily wrong, but when others do things differently, we are apt to judge them, feeling that ours is “the right way to do it.” For example, in some cultures it is considered inappropriate for mature men and women to sit together in the assembly; they are expected to sit on opposite sides of the room. In other cultures, this separation is not felt to be necessary. In some cultures, certain modes of dress are permitted (not referring to modesty) which would be strange in others. In some parts of the world arranged marriages are the norm, even among believers, while in other places young people make this decision largely on their own. In none of these situations is there one viewpoint that is more right in the light of Scripture; God allows for such variations. In these cases tolerance is needed, and understanding, lest we should seek to impose our own way of thinking on others, or at the very least to look down on and denigrate those who do not conform to our way of thinking. We must not fall into the snare of thinking others to be less spiritual than ourselves, simply because of cultural differences that are not really germane to our Christian life. We are indeed called to transform culture according to God’s claims, but as another has wisely pointed out, “In order to transform the culture, we must continually recognize what is in need of transformation and what is not. This is a difficult assignment.”
Superiority
Finally, it is important for us not to think that our culture is superior, and thus try to force it on others, instead of preaching the Word of God. This does not happen as much today as it did some years ago, but it can still be a factor in our international relationships. This attitude usually stems from the mixing of our spiritual life with the politics and culture of the country in which we live and the feeling that it is superior to some others. Then, when the Word of God is preached, instead of simply knowing “Jesus Christ, and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2), there is the tendency for us to try at the same time to change the habits and lifestyle of those to whom we preach. If some of the practices of another culture are opposed to God’s moral principles, it is well and good to bring God’s Word to bear on the matter. But if it is merely that we think that our way is superior, then insisting on our own methods of doing things is really bringing in that which divides the people of God, rather than uniting them in Christ.
Because of sin, some areas of the world are ruled by unstable and even brutal and unjust governments, while others have relative peace and quiet, with a measure of stability. It is easy for those from countries with stable governments to feel a degree of smug superiority and to express this openly. While it is not wrong to identify evil, let us always remember that “if thou seest the oppression of the poor, and violent perverting of judgment and justice in a province, marvel not at the matter: for he that is higher than the highest regardeth; and there be higher than they” (Eccl. 5:8). The day of vengeance will come, for God takes note of all this. Our responsibility is to preach the Word and to reflect the grace of God. A great deal of misunderstanding and strife among believers from various nations and ethnic groups has had its source in the mixing of worldly politics and the things of the Lord. Let us avoid this at all costs and enjoy together that which unites us.
W. J. Prost
Christianity and Changing Culture
The world has a saying that “the old order changeth, giving place to new,” but in the last few years someone has modified this, saying that “the old order changeth, and happy is he that changeth with it.” As far as man and his relationships to the world around him are concerned, the latter statement is true, for those who fail to recognize the changes in the world in which they live and move are doomed to constant tension, anxiety and conflict. But where does this leave the Christian, when the culture all around him is changing? The Lord Jesus Himself told His disciples, “Ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world” (John 15:19). In Romans 12:2, Paul tells us, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” How is the believer to deal with a changing culture without compromising his stand as a Christian?
Not of the World
As with many other questions in spiritual things, the answer to the above questions involves keeping a proper balance in our outlook on this world. This can often be very difficult, and it can only be done in fellowship with the Lord and in relying on His Word. The Lord Jesus, before He went to the cross, gave His disciples instructions which are often called “the upper room ministry.” In His prayer to His Father in John 17, I would suggest that the Lord Jesus alludes to this balance in our attitude to this world. In verse 11, He says, “I am no more in the world, but these are in the world.” Then, in verse 14, He says, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” In seeking to have a right attitude to the values and culture of the world around him, the believer must remember that he is in the world, yet not of the world.
Awareness in the World
During His earthly ministry, the Lord Jesus certainly was well aware of and understood the culture that was around Him. He not only saw and understood what went on in the Jewish world, but He also knew well what was happening in the Gentile world, which at that time ruled the land of Israel. Some might reason that because He was God, He knew all this as God. This is true, yet as a perfect Man, and with the same human heart (sin apart) as His creature, He took an interest in all that went on around Him. He was the most accessible of men, and He knew how to relate to the various individuals with whom He came into contact. He could approach an educated and highly cultured man like Nicodemus in one way, yet speak to the woman at Sychar’s well in a totally different way. He knew Herod’s character and could readily refer to him as “that fox” (Luke 13:32), while He could speak of current events such as the falling down of the tower of Siloam or a bloody massacre of Galileans by Pilate (Luke 13:1-5).
Likewise, in the early days of the church, preachers like Paul were well aware of the culture around them, and they could speak of it as the occasion required. When Paul addressed the Jews (Acts 22), he could speak in their language and in a way that they could understand. The fact that none are recorded as believing at that time in no way reflects on the faithfulness of the message or the relevance of Paul’s approach. On the other hand, when Paul addressed the Athenians on Mars’ hill (Acts 17), he spoke in a very different way, using one of their many altars as a starting point and quoting one of their own poets.
I would suggest that this shows a pattern for us, in that both our blessed Master and also His faithful servant understood and related to the culture and thinking that was around them. They did not isolate themselves so that they were unknown; rather, they were generally well-known. When the Lord Jesus came before Pilate, He was already a familiar figure, and Pilate even knew that for envy the Jewish leaders had delivered Him. (Seeing he knew this, Pilate’s crime of condemning the Lord Jesus was all the more serious.) When Paul and his company came to Thessalonica, the Jews cried out, “They that have turned the world upside down are come hither also” (Acts 17:6). The world of that day knew Paul very well.
Separation
Some dear believers, in seeking to be separate from the world, have isolated themselves to such an extent that the world scarcely knows them. Some have even distinguished themselves by very unusual and sometimes antiquated dress and surroundings, to show clearly that they do not relate to the common culture. If they are known, they do not bear any significant testimony, other than being thought of as distant and unapproachable. This often ministers to spiritual pride rather than godliness. Let us not fall into this snare, for we are in the world and should be in contact with it.
In some ways, younger people can often do this in a better way than those who are aged, for they have grown up in the current culture, while those who are much older have generally been accustomed to a different age. We see this typified in David’s life. When he was young, he killed Goliath, and he served as an encouragement and an example to others of how one could, with God’s help, defeat the enemy. However, when he became an older man, we find that Ishbibenob, of “the sons of the giant,” was “girded with new armor” (2 Sam. 21:16 JND), and David was not used to it. Evidently, the son of the giant with new armor was too much for David, and a younger man, Abishai, had to come to his rescue. So today, those who are older may find that younger ones, if they walk with the Lord, can be more effective in engaging those of the popular culture today, because they are more familiar with it.
This is not to say that older ones cannot be useful in modern culture, for their age and experience gives them a perspective that younger ones do not have. So each needs the other, and they should work together.
Conformity
As a balance to all this, as we have seen from Scripture, believers are not of the world, for they should not be part of the world system that sinful man has developed. This is why we get the instructions “Be not conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:20) and “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” (1 John 2:15). In keeping with this, the Lord Jesus, while the most accessible of men, was likewise the most separate of men, when it came to being part of the world system. He passed through this world without directly touching its social structure, its politics or its entertainment. Likewise, He was never involved in its sin or compromised Himself in order to reach people. He was always “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners” (Heb. 7:26).
Likewise, the apostles and others who preached the gospel in the early church were separate from this world, for they followed a rejected Christ. They were fully in touch with what went on in their world, but they walked as those who were not part of its course or ambitions. Paul could say to the Philippians, “Our commonwealth has its existence in the heavens, from which also we await the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour” (Phil. 3:20 JND). Those who knew Him fully realized this, for Paul’s life was apart from the course of this world.
Ready to Speak
You and I, as believers, should be clearly set apart from this world. We should not simply go about our lives in this world as others do, but we should be living witnesses to the grace that has separated us from it. We should be ready to speak out clearly when the common culture and lifestyle contradicts God’s claims. As the world’s culture deviates further from God’s thoughts, faithful believers may well stand out more and more, as their walk and ways are in contrast to this world. I was impressed many years ago by a brother who was questioned as to his views on a moral dilemma that was being hotly debated among many people, as public opinion was calling for a radical change to the laws of the country. He answered, “My own opinion is not worth anything, but I will gladly give you God’s position on the matter.” His answer carried weight, even if it was not popular, because it was backed up by God’s Word.
More than this, we should be willing and “ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:15). It is one thing to understand the culture that is all around us, but another thing to recognize that which is contrary to God’s claims and speak out against it. This is not in order to set the world right, for we know that this will come about only by judgment. But we should warn men of the judgment to come, in order that they might come to Christ and be saved. Noah did this before the flood and was called “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5), although he did not get many converts. But God was glorified, which is more important than whether men paid attention.
Grace and Salt
In speaking of the character of His kingdom, the Lord Jesus could say, “Ye are the salt of the earth” (Matt. 5:13), while Paul tells us, “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt” (Col. 4:6). The believer is to show the grace of God, and his feet are to be “shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace” (Eph. 6:15), but there must always be that heavenly character in his life and speech. God’s claims must be brought in, so that the conscience of those in this world may be reached. This comes only with constant dependence on the Lord and seeking grace from Him to respond properly in every situation.
But God gives the grace for this, and He will give the wisdom too, if we ask Him. We must remember that we are left here in this world to represent and look after His interests, not to please ourselves. It is a privilege to do this until we are called home!
W. J. Prost
Christianity: Light in the Darkness
We have cares and fears and misgivings, because we are fallen beings, whom academic surmises always fail to console. We yearn for something positive, and this Christianity supplies; like the sun, it proves itself by lighting our darkness. It is positive, and hence it is the very creed to be preached with ready tongue and gladdened eye to every creature. It throws light upon and holds out an ultimate solution to the mystery of pain, which makes up human life. And, looking at it subjectively, in its renewing, transforming power, it carries with it its own credentials, for “he that believeth ... hath the witness in himself” (1 John 5:10), and again, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God” (John 7:17). Christianity, in short, sheds a divine light across my path, which judges me so effectually that I do not think of judging it. It reveals a divine Person dying to put away sin, and no mere vain ideas and shadowy images, like false religions and philosophies.
R. Beacon, Bible
Treasury (adapted)
The Spirit’s Light
The Spirit breathes upon the Word,
And brings the truth to sight;
Precepts and promises afford
A sanctifying light.
A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;
It gives a light to every age;
It gives, but borrows none.
W. Cowper
It speaks to every culture, race,
Far flung from pole to pole;
The Holy Spirit given place
Will unify the whole.
Our distant lineage may be
Of various tongue and dress;
Each bowing to God’s Word will see
Brings peace and not distress.
cph