Fit to Represent, Vision for Discipleship Seminar

Five Views of the Relationship between Christ and Culture

Based on

by H. Richard Niebuhr. New York: Harper and Row, 1951. Christ and Culture

Christ the Transformer of Culture

Christ and Culture in Paradox

Christ against Culture

Christ above Culture

The Christ of Culture

Cooperation

Acceptance

Opposition

Conversion

Tension

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. Culture is God’s gift to help man overcome his bondage to nature and fear and advance in knowledge and goodness. Human culture is what allows us to conserve the truth humanity has learned. Jesus’ moral teaching moves human culture upward to a new level. ~ James 1.17 (cf. Phil. 4.8)

In putting everything under him, God left nothing that is not subject to him. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him. ~ Heb. 2.8 (cf. Col. 1.16-18) Culture is radically affected by sin but can be redeemed to play a positive role in restoring righteousness. Christians should work to have their culture acknowledge Christ’s lordship and be changed by it.

Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves. ~ Rom. 2.14 (cf. Rom. 13.1, 5-6) Culture is a product of human reason and is part of a God-given way to discover truth. Although culture can discern real truth, sin limits its capacities which must be aided by revelation. Seeks to use culture as a first step toward the understanding of God and his revelation.

Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. ~ 2 Cor. 6.17 (cf. 1 John 2.15) Culture is radically affected by sin and constantly opposes the will of God. Separation and opposition are the natural responses of the Christian community which is itself an alternative culture

Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s. ~ Matt. 22.21 (cf. 1 Pet. 2.13-17) Culture is radically affected by sin but does have a role to play. It is necessary to delineate between spheres: Culture as law (restrains wickedness), Christianity as grace (gives righteousness). Both are an important part of life but the two cannot be confused or merged.

Appendix III: Culture and Leadership ▪ 137

St. Augustine, John Calvin Reformed

Peter Abelard, Immanuel Kant Liberal Protestant

Tertulllian, Menno Simons Anabaptists

Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic

Martin Luther Lutherans