Culture has an
amazing impact upon people. It subtly shapes their worldview of everything in
life, from birth through adulthood. This impact is strong and resistant to
change, but it will change given sufficient cause. The change can be either
good or bad depending on one’s worldview, values, or beliefs. For example, the
enslavement of Africans, abducted and traded as if they were cattle, was
culturally acceptable in European countries and America.
A British Member
of Parliament named William Wilberforce challenged this prevailing culture in
the late eighteenth century. He proposed legislative measures at great cost to his
reputation, wealth, and health for more than forty years. But change came in
1833 when slavery was made illegal in England. It had a ripple effect felt
across the oceans of the world, which included the newly established United
States of America, the former colonial territory of Great Britain.[i]
In many countries
around the world, religious conviction is tied to the intrinsic culture. The
Philippines is predominantly Roman Catholic, with a strong contingent of
Evangelical (Protestant) Christianity, a significant Muslim minority, and ancient
folk traditions. Many Filipinos struggle with becoming born again,[ii]
because of the strong influence of Roman Catholicism—it’s rituals, traditions,
and longevity. Thailand is primarily Buddhist. Many Thais find it difficult to
distinguish their national identity from their religion. Likewise in Indonesia
and Malaysia, where the world’s largest population of Muslims reside. In many
countries, it is illegal to proselytize someone of Islamic faith towards
another faith.
In the early
2000's, our Bible school in the Philippines sent out two young Filipinas as missionaries
to Thailand. MJ and Ruchell learned the Thai language quickly, and made friendships
with ease. They lived out their Christianity with genuineness and simplicity,
and were well received by their neighbors, including the landlord of the simple
apartment they rented in Chiang Mai. As they built relationships, they offered
prayer for their new friends. Prayer was accepted with gratefulness. But when
it came to accepting the Gospel and Jesus, who was unknown to them, there was
resistance. They were Thai. They were Buddhists. They were afraid of changing
their religion and no longer being true Thais.
America’s culture is known for its respect for individual
rights. As a result, Christianity in America is often self-focused and personalized.
Based on versions of the gospel, as given by popular preachers, many people
regard Jesus as their best friend, someone personally interested in them, but
not as their sovereign Lord. It is such a prevalent view it’s been categorized
as a religious belief of its own—Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.[iii]
A popular worship
song about the Lord’s death on the cross goes, “You took the fall and thought
of me, above all....”[iv] The
Father’s purpose for Jesus going to the Cross was, indeed, to bring redemption
for all people. But this self-focused bias is not reflected in the biblical
version of the gospel, but is reflected in a plethora of popular songs,
teachings, and various Christian self-help books. This cultural bias is
exported around the world, reflecting an American, self-absorbed view of Jesus
and the Gospel, which adulterates the gospel message. This has a crippling,
often tragic effect.
The Gospel can be
minimized and reduced into brief terms. When this happens, its importance and
significance is overlooked. Biblical truth may be talked about and discussed
without being passed on to those who need to hear it.
Ministries in
America can focus more on getting people into the church than caring for the physical
and spiritual needs of the people. Worship services can be more focused on
presentation and performance than the Lord Himself, whom it is all intended to
exalt.
Are believers in
churches being discipled unto the Lord Himself, or trained for doing certain
tasks? The need to accomplish a list of spiritual activities can take the place
of spending personal and intimate time with the Lord. Things like spending time
in prayer, devotions, reading the Scripture, serving in various ministries, and
so on, are good things, but not an end in themselves. The Lord desires His
people to give themselves to Him.
These people draw
near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is
far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the
commandments of men. (Matthew 15:8-9 NKJV)
I want you to be
merciful; I don't want your sacrifices. I want you to know God; that's more
important than burnt offerings. (Hosea 6:6 NLT)
Christian activity
can look past what is most important—the personal element. The Christian
life is far more than the sum of all Christian activities to be done. What the
Lord considers most important is revealed in the story of Matthew 16:13–28. It’s
not complicated or theoretical, but simple and essential. It is the core of the
Essential Gospel and the Christian life. It runs counter to the culture of the
day—the culture then and now. Whether the culture is primitive or sophisticated,
the Gospel and the call to follow Jesus is not “...all about me,” nor
any individual. It’s all about Jesus.
This is an excerpt from my yet-to-be published book, The Mystery of the Gospel, Unraveling the Mystery— below are endnotes for this excerptBTW—if you like this or any of these posts, please share them and consider subscribing to this blog...thanks! [use the subscribe and share buttons on the above right]
[i]
Reference for
William Wilberforce— http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilberforce
[ii]
Born again is a term Jesus used in John 3:3-8 when talking to Nicodemus, a
Jewish Pharisee. It has become synonymous with a personal faith conversion to
orthodox Christianity, especially within evangelical circles.
[iii]
Here are some links to articles about Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD)— http://goo.gl/KPZBR | http://goo.gl/pJLgY | http://goo.gl/RvllH
[iv]
The lyrics are from the song, “Above All,” by Lenny LeBlanc
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