Christ and Cultures

What role does faith play in a culture?

Does it merely play a private role, allowing individuals to be personally fulfilled while society hums on at an abstract secular level?

Does it define the laws and norms of the culture from the top down?

Or does it impact society at a different level - at the worldview level? When a person truly adopts all tenets of their faith ... does it make a difference in what they think and how they react? And if enough people have a changed worldview, can the society be changed? Should we hope for that? If the changes come from the grassroots level - rather than forced by government edict - can that be positive for a culture? Can it be better than "secularism".

One of the quotes that stuck out from my recent study is from teacher Corrine Armstrong: "Christ is not there to maintain evil systems." When Christ enters a heart, the kingdom of God intersects with that individual's kingdom of residence. Soon, a clash of values may ensue. That will certainly affect the individual, but it has the potential to affect society in a dramatic way if the movement reaches the tipping point with enough believers choosing to line up with Christ's kingdom.

That might sound dangerous but consider: if the Christians who served in Hitler's regime had chosen to align with Christ's kingdom rather than their earthly kingdom of residence, history could have looked very different. Radically obeying Christ would have meant, at the very least, refusing to participate in the killing of millions of people considered less than perfect. It could have led to even more radical actions, such as the overthrow of a man who came to power claiming Christian values. As Armstrong rightly argues, Christ doesn't side with evil. Allow it for a season - sure. Maintain it through the efforts of His people - no.

So if we "buy" the idea that in general it's okay, even helpful, for Christ to make a difference in a culture - how should we make the leap to making a difference in our OWN society? What elements needs to be considered in our Western, post-modern world?

* First, know where we come from. The Enlightenment contributed to a culture that values Knowledge, Reason and Progress. Technology is an outgrowth of that. We have to understand and appreciate these elements, but seek to use them responsibly.
* Know what postmodernists are looking for. Postmodernism is in many ways a cultural reaction to the failure of modernism. When Modernists embraced the industrial revolution and began to treat humankind and society as a machine, the stage was set for postmodernism. It's a logical response to a society that failed to use its knowledge to address its flaws. As a result, "postmodernists" have a distrust of systems, but long for relationship. They desire holistic approaches over ones that overspecialize and lead to 'functional silos'. It challenges existing structures and seeks to find an authority worth trusting.
* Recognize the hope and challenge. The early church succeeded in a similar milieu to postmodernism, not by plans but by a radical walk in the Spirit. We don't change our world through our church programs but by pointing to the One who can be trusted and living a life that is radically obedient to Him, even when confronting our own society. We earn the right to speak into their lives. The church serves to provide a human presence to show the love of God, and to act as the gentle conscience of society. For example, the prosperity Gospel avoids challenging entrenched socioeconomic structures. The kingdom as God intended it will love people at all socioeconomic levels and in love challenge the structures that keep people in poverty. It will raise valid questions about issues of human life while also meeting the needs of people facing difficult decisions. In short, it will provide a balance of support and challenge - a balance that research shows is essential for learning to occur.

There are no easy answers when seeking to understand how faith transforms cultures. The list of "don'ts" is easier to compile; the examples of success are harder to identify, perhaps because they occur as the yeast in dough, imperceptibly yet obvious through the result. As New Testament believers our starting point is always the same - our relationship with the living God.