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Culture and the Bible
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Q: In Noah Webster's 1828
dictionary, there is no meaning of the word culture as it can be used at times today. The 1828 meaning basically defines it as any
labor for improvement or growth. When did this word change its meaning? The reason I was thinking about this is because some people who call themselves Christian refer to the Bible's "culture" at the time. Someone has told me that in the culture at the
time of the Bible women couldn't be a pastor. I have heard others refer to a "Southern" culture or a "Northern" culture. In these times when
diversity and tolerance is stressed in and outside of the "church", this word is used (or misused) frequently. Another phrase used is "culturally
relevant". It may be culturally relevant at one time but not another. Of course
it is comforting to know that the Bible transcends all so-called "cultures"!
A: The word, culture, is not in the Bible. In fact, it
originally meant cultivated and referred to a piece of
tilled land. Later, it was used of a person in reference to
the cultivation of their mind and manners. Only In the late
19th century, does it seem to have taken on the idea of the
ways of a civilization. However, that does not mean that the
Bible has no concept of culture as we understand it. Although the word culture is not used, we find other words that refer to the different practices of societies at
different times. For instance, the Bible refers to the manners, customs, and ways of different peoples and times. This is, in effect, referring to their culture. Ruth 4:7 refers to a ancient custom: "Now this was the manner in
former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning
changing, for
to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave
it to his
neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel." Jeremiah
refers to
sealing the evidence of his property purchase "according to
the law and
custom" (Jeremiah 32:11). Paul refers to "the manner of the
Romans" in
his own defense in Acts 25:16. All of these and more are the
elements of
the culture.
In the examples in the preceeding paragraph, the ways of the
land are
benign. They are not necessarily right or wrong in an
absolute sense.
However, the Bible often uses the concept we would now call
culture as a
negative quality. The Israelites are warned against
following after "the
doings of the land of Egypt" or "the doings of the land of
Canaan" (Leviticus 18:3). They are not to walk in the "manners of
the nation,
which I cast out before you" (Leviticus 20:3). The Lord
warned in
Jeremiah 10:2, "Learn not the way of the heathen." The
corruption of
Jerusalem is pictured by her doting on pictures of men who
were attired
"after the manner of the Babylonians of Chaldea" (Ezekiel
23:15).
From these passages we learn several things:
1. There are manners, ways, and customs that are connected
with certain
societies and certain times. That is, there is such a thing
as culture as
we now use the word.
2. Some manners and customs are neutral in their spiritual
significance. One way is not spiritually good and all other
ways
spiritually bad. They are simply the different customs and
manners by
which men have learned to operate within their own
societies. NOTE: These
differences are not good and bad. Therefore, it is not the
calling of
Christianity to change these ways when people in these
societies are won
to Christ. They can be good Christians while continuing in
the cultural
practices to which they are accustomed.
3. Some manners and customs are spiritually wrong. In these
cases, true
believers in any culture should be taught to go against
their culture in
obedience to God's word. For example, tribal converts should
be taught to
cover their bodies. Head-hunters should be taught to change
their ways.
It is a danger to agree with the liberals that all cultural
differences
are neutral. They are not. Some practices are wicked and
should be
altered in the lives of believers--even to the point of
opposing their
own culture. This is part of being a "peculiar people"
(Titus 2:14).
You have wisely referred to the false teaching of many who
use "culture"
to change the meaning of scripture. For instance, women
pastors may not
have been allowed in their culture, but it would be fine in
ours. This
goes blatantly against the extensive teaching on this
subject in
scripture. It goes against the strong biblical arguments
used in places
like 1Timothy 2:12-14 and 1Corinthians 11:3, 8-9. The idea
of being
"culturally relevent" is often an excuse for denying God's
holy word. We
should treat it as such.
Are there cultural differences between societies and across
time? Yes.
And, they have to be dealt with. If they are neutral, then
converts can
certainly continue in their respective customs and
practices. However,
when and where they cross God's line of right and wrong,
they need to be
changed. That is part of being a new creature in Christ.
Till He comes,
Pastor David Reagan
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