Thursday, 22 May 2014

Kingdom Response I: Cultural Diversity II

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 








No comments:

Post a Comment