Kingdom
Response I: Cultural Diversity II
Every believer lives within a culture (s)
and has to relate cross culturally. The 21st Century is characterized by high
migration and mingling of people with differing cultures. The challenge of harmonious co-existence of
people from different economic, social, ethnic, religious, opinion or
educational backgrounds is a reality here to stay. Believers must therefore learn to shine the
light of Christ and share his love to diverse cultures. Do you struggle with relating to other people
especially those unlike you? You are not alone. Many struggle but you have no
choice but to win the struggle by developing good interpersonal and
cross-cultural relationships.
We have an amazing story to tell that Jesus
came to redeem not just individuals but their cultures as well (John 3:16;
Revelation 5:8). He commissioned his
people to reach all people groups (Genesis 12:3; Mathew 28:18-20). He also
promised that the gospel would be preached to all people groups before the end
comes (Mathew 24:14; Revelation 14:6).
The end result will be the gathering of an innumerable multitude made up
of all nations, kindreds, peoples and tongues all dressed in white robes
worshiping before the throne of God in heaven (Revelation 7:9; Philippians
2:10, 11). The church
of Jesus Christ builds
bridges between people and cultures.
Culture is shared patterns of learned
behavior distinguishing individuals, families, tribes, and ethnicities. The people share a way of life that includes
customs, language, and traditions of politics, economics or religion. Cultures derive from shared values, beliefs
and superstitions about life. The values influence how people view factors such
as the existence of God, identity, origins, purpose, destiny, power, time,
relationships, work and risk. For example, some cultures more readily believe
in the supernatural than others do. When
a cow talks they listen to what it has to say than argue about whether cows can
talk or not. Other differences include
that some cultures associate owls with witchcraft while others associate the
bird with wisdom. In some cultures, not
looking someone in the eye is being respectful while to other cultures it is a
sign of being a shy person. Some remove
shoes when they go into houses others do not have to. The list of citable examples is endless.
The following are ways in which cultures
affect faith practice and how believers can respond.
In
General - Follow the example of our Lord Jesus
(Refer to http://wordoers.blogspot.com/2014/05/kingdom-response-i-cultural-diversity.html
)
Adopt a positive attitude to the
differences of people around you. Difference does not mean deficiency but the
beginning of synergy. Jesus broke down
cultural barriers to reach down to humanity (Philippians 2:4-11). You are called to share the love of God that
transcends all cultures (Ephesians 4:15).
In
Witnessing – Draw lessons from the example of Paul
when he preached in Athens
to people of a culture different from his (Acts 17:22-34). Jesus came to redeem sinners and their
cultures. He reconciled people back to God and gave them the ministry of
reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18; Mathew 5:9). Paul recognized this role and in response to
God’s commission preached the good news of the cross and repentance in the
power of the Holy Spirit and in contextually relevant ways (Acts 1:8; 1
Corinthians 9:22). He viewed culture as
a vehicle/tool for communicating the gospel.
Often the main barrier to effective communication of the gospel is the
use of cultural forms that do not fit the culture of the intended audience.
Paul had just escaped danger to his life in
Thessalonica and Berea .
He found himself in Athens
where he waited for his companions to join him. While there, he studied the
culture. He observed carefully the norms and symbols of the Athenians. He
learnt the city was home to renowned brilliant thinkers like Socrates, Plato,
Aristotle, and Sophocles. The people had an appetite for new ideas and had
places and avenues to communicate and debate ideas. Athens was given to idolatry and immorality. Some
say it was easier to find an idol than a person in Athens .
Unlike Yahweh, who is present everywhere presence of idols has to be
improvised by producing many and placing them everywhere.
Paul could have written his companions,
Timothy and Silas to say, ‘Don't bother coming here. I am finding my way back
because there are only idols in Athens .’
Instead, he sought opportunity to make the difference. Instead, he looked for
bridges to connect with the Athenians. His interest was drawn to an inscription
on one of their altars - TO THE UNKNOWN
GOD. He saw in the inscription a clue on how to reach the Athenians with the
gospel. He announced that he shared the same God with them (Acts 17:23). The
only difference was that the God was unknown to them and he was pleased to
present him. It may not have solved all
his problems but it certainly got their attention and facilitated
communication. The witness for Christ is
responsible for gospel clarity not the response of people watching or
listening.
LESSON:
The communication keys to solving the challenges of
relating with a culture are found from within the culture. Similarly,
the keys to solving relational challenges with a person different from you in
any way is found in finding what in their life can bring a common
understanding or ground. To relate cross culturally you need to be a student of the cultures you interact with.
Also, realize that key aspects of culture are language and leaders. If you are foreign in a predominant culture,
therefore, learn the language and raise leaders of the local culture. In
fishing the correct bait is determined by knowledge of what the fish like not
what the fisher likes. To begin with,
any form of appreciation, love, wisdom and service to the people will help to
form common ground with them (Mathew 5:16; Luke 10:25-28).
In
Faith Practice – Draw lessons from the example of
Gideon in dealing with challenges from your own culture (Judges 6:22-27). Believers have to deal with their culture in
practicing their faith in Jesus Christ.
Some specific cultural issues are encountered at important junctures of
life such as birth, passage to adulthood, marriage, and death.
On one hand, some throw away every
semblance of their culture in search of a new godly culture. By doing so, they
only end up embracing a culture from elsewhere such as the western culture
instead of theirs. They fail to realize
that the gospel is seed to be expressed/grown in soil of any culture. That is
why for example there is no ‘Christian Africans’ but ‘African Christians’. The
sinful nature of humanity mars all human cultures. Every culture is therefore tainted with sin
and no cultures or people groups are superior to others.
On the other hand, people hold on to everything from their
cultures and profess to be Christians, but underneath they are still
idol-worshippers who for example rely on ancestral spirits, traditional
rituals, or charms for protection. In
the end, they are compromised. They lose the essence of both the new life in
Christ and the old life in traditional worship forms.
Therefore, while some go too far others
fail to go far enough in embracing their cultures. In order for Gideon to follow God’s plan for
his life he had to do two things.
1) He was to destroy his father’s altars.
These altars represented aspects in his culture that directed worship away from
Yahweh. He obeyed and had to face
hostility from his own people for doing so.
Every culture has aspects that demand that believers take a stand for
the truth in God’s word with boldness, humility
and love. Jude 3 instructs believers to earnestly contend for the faith.
God gives wisdom and covering whenever you take a stand for the truth of
his word. Be gracious when you are misunderstood.
2) He was to employ ashera poles from his
father’s altar in making a new altar to the living God (Judges 6:26). These poles represent features of a culture
that are not inconsistent with God’s word and should be retained or redeemed.
Such cultural practices are redeemed when their purpose is redirected towards
worshiping God and serving his purposes. You can live differently while
culturally you look similar. Ashera
poles take the form of clothing, Music forms and instruments, dance, drums,
customs, etc
Every culture has both positive and
negative features. God therefore expects his people to learn the errors in
their cultures as judged by the word of God and avoid them while redeeming the
other aspects of culture. It is important to focus on key issues of direction
of worship and allow everything else to be a vehicle for worshiping and
communicating Christ. Learn to appreciate those aspects of a culture that do
not violate scripture.
Culture being learned behavior is dynamic. Culture shapes people but people also shape cultures. For example, some
cultures had the practice of killing albino babies but with better knowledge,
they stopped the practice. If
Christians do not influence the evolution of cultures, some other philosophy or
religion will do so. Unredeemed
cultures make it hard to practice a redeemed life style. The converse is true,
unredeemed lifestyles find it hard to redeem cultures.
In
Fellowship among Believers - Draw lessons from the teachings of Paul
(Ephesians 4:1-6; Galatians 3:26-29).
Acknowledge your cultural
uniqueness but allow the love of Christ and the new identity in him to be
stronger in bringing us together in our diversity. Being able to do so is a
test of true faith in a shared identity in God, faith and destiny. The kingdom of God
operates on the principle of unity-in-diversity, or harmony not uniformity.
I therefore , the prisoner of the Lord ,
beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called , With all lowliness and meekness , with
longsuffering , forbearing one another in love ; Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace . There is one
body , and one Spirit , even as ye are called in one hope of your calling
; One Lord , one faith , one baptism
, One God and Father of all , who is
above all , and through all , and in you all . Ephesians 4:1-6
For ye are all the children of God by faith in
Christ Jesus. For as many of you as
have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ . 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 . And if ye be Christ’s
, then are ye Abraham’s seed , and heirs according to the promise . Galatians 3:26-29
Let
nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each
esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others.
Philippians 2:3-4
Exercise (For Cells)
1) Think
of a cross-cultural experience and come up with ways the experience could be
used as a witnessing opportunity.
2) Think
of a situation when there was conflict between your own traditional culture and
your faith. How did you or could you have handled the situation in a godly way.
3) How
has today’s multicultural composition of communities affected church life and
mission?
4) Make
a comparison between the African worldview and cultural practices and the
Western culture. Mention specific
perspectives and practices.
Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.
Faith
Ministries – Johannesburg
Faith Life
Center .
Ground
and First Floors Sunset
Bay Building ,
204B
Bram Fischer drive,
Randburg,
Johannesburg , South Africa
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