Yesterday’s blog certainly stirred up some laughter. If you haven’t seen it, watch the video before reading this post. Also, once again, if you haven’t checked out the post on Mocha Club, see 2 blogs down.
Anyway, after receiving several comments about the video (published and unpublished), it will got me thinking about Christianity and culture. Anyone who has been in Christian circles for any period of times knows the Church is probably about 20 years behind today’s culture. In fact, someone even made a comment (and they are exactly right) that the video is probably too progressive for a lot of church people today.
I guess there are really two issues at hand here: (1) A Christian’s understanding of culture and; (2) A Christian’s progression into culture. (Legalism probably plays some role in both)
Anyway, my thoughts for today do not concern the “In and not of” debate. Rather, I’m curious about these questions:
- Why are Christians so behind in understanding culture?
- Do Christians have an obligation to understand culture?
- How far behind are Christians in understanding culture?
- Why do Christians live in a bubble and isolate themselves from the outside world?
- How do we break out of our isolation and become engaged with culture?
Tags: Christianity, Culture
September 12th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
David –
Good questions, but culture is very, very vague. When you ask why Christians are behind in understanding culture, which culture are you referring to? Are you referring to inner city culture? Youth culture?
Almost across the board the biggest churches in America are geared at reaching the 30-65 year old white middle class to upper middle class group and they do a fantastic job of it. Those churches adapt the parts that most appeal to that age and income bracket:
- music that is sounds good but isn’t too hard or too soft
- programs for families and marriages
- retreats
- big name guest speakers
- use of multi-media in services
- offering missions trips – especially overseas
- sports ministries
- small groups
Most Christians in these churches would not see themselves as living in a bubble from the world – in fact just the opposite. They are immersed in their culture.