The Evolution of Culture and the Christian Message.

Jeeeeeeeeesssssuuuuus! The Lily of the valley! The bright and morning star! He made a way when there was no way! The lawyer in the courtroom. The doctor in the hospital room. Jeeeeeeeeesssssuuuuuuuussssss!!!!!!!!!!!!

Embracing black church culture for me over the last few years has been quite challenging: The struggle between my roots and upbringing, and my desire to spread the universal message of the gospel to all. They conflict because my upbringing will ultimately affect my message. It’s fact that communication to any given audience will be ineffective when approaching that communication through pre-established bias. The Christian message is the same, however the presentation accented with culture, will affect that message.

So, does Christianity have its own culture? It seems as if the Christian message has been heavily influenced by pop culture, white and black culture, indian culture et cetera. And I personally don’t consider it robbery for the Christian message to be accented by culture, to ensure effective communication to their audience. Even Jesus used present day culture to accent his teaching. So, when the scholars attempt to approach me with time as a means to disregard the message of the gospel, I become discontent with their foolishness. Culture will always be fading, however, the message of Christ and His deity are timeless and universal. So, was Paul attempting to create a separate culture or was he using the present culture to influence his teaching and giving direction? One of my professors would argue that he was creating culture, but I would argue the latter. Paul’s message seemed inconsistent, however, it was rather consistent with the culture of the particular province that he was located. At times he may very well have been creating culture, yet through correcting the present culture that rejected sanctity and advocated for self-deity and preservation. Of course our present day culture has evolved, but the same doctrine of false gods and self-sufficiency continue to pervade, which is why scripture continues to be vital to the order of the Body. Culture is something that is impossible to avoid. That is why Paul said, “To the Jew I became a Jew so that I might win the Jews. To the Gentile, I became as a Gentile so that I might win the Gentiles. I have become all things to all men so that by all means, I might win some.” Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever.” He also said that heaven and earth would pass away but His word will never fade. Therefore, we can conclude that this Christendom is not a result or a part of created culture.

So why hasn’t Christianity influenced culture? Will it ever? I’m not so sure. Some would argue that we already have. But to me, most Christian efforts have had cultural influence. Gospel music alone has influenced the rhythm and blues arena, but is it not true that gospel music is a result of a culture created by African Americans during their time of great distress? I adore Joel Osteen, yet his ministry has taken full advantage of culture and technology and is advancing in their communication efforts to win souls for the kingdom of God. Some would argue that it is our responsibility to re-establish culture. And yes, I would agree, the notion of the kingdom of God is complex and establishing it here on the earth is our responsibility. However, we cannot deny most aspects of culture that evolves daily with the exception of the culture that would be contrary to the message of the gospel.

Notice the meditation room in Russell Simmons house that has now become a part of his morning routine that includes mediation and worship of the statue of Buddha. Notice, the Taoist yoga that has seeped into our daily lives and become a cultural phenomenon. Notice the great strides that Islam had made in the past to regenerate a generation of black culture and society. It was not culture that influenced these new age forms but it was them that influenced our culture.

So I conclude this: Christianity is not cultural. It is not fading or passing away with time or fads. It is not even Christianity for it has needed a name for those around to relate something to. It is discovery of identity through Christ to bring us back to a relationship with God to establish His kingdom on the earth. That is all it is.