Culture and Christianity

[B-A-C]

So how would you define the word culture?
Do you have a negative connotation of that word?

Culture, like anything else.. can be used for good or bad.

"The shared norms, values, beliefs, and experiences of life by a group of people which give meaning and impacts the perceptions of how individuals perceive and interact with the world and each other. "

Do you think these things bring people closer together, or tend to divide them? Do you think most "culture/society/world-view" objects come from the world/Satan or from God?
For example, when I think of what makes up a "culture". It's usually something racial/ethnic or financial/monetary or education and often religious ('m avoiding the word Christianity here for a reason ).
Do you think it's God's design for us all to be equal ( the same ) or for all of us to be different based on ethnicity, social status, monetary income, education, etc...
If it wasn't God's design, who's design was it?

 

[B-A-C]

I am a white man, living in the USA. I have noticed while living here, we have a lot of different cultures competing for... well, everything.
The Mexicans moving here, put up Mexican flags, speak Spanish, eat Mexican food, and tend to be mostly Roman Catholic. There's nothing wrong with this, but the culture isn't really exactly 100% the same as it is Mexico.
So you have a new culture... somewhere between the White/US culture and the Hispanic/Mexican culture. I see the same tendencies for Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Native American Indians, ... and to a degree Black Americans as well.
Black Americans are a little different for the most part. Almost all of the Hispanic people I know are first or second generation Americans. They still have a lot of the "old culture" and language within them.

Most of the Black Americans I know, are not first or second, or even third generation. They are pretty sure they are from Africa, but usually don't know what part, what tribe, or what the original language was their ancestors spoke.
So they've made a new Black Culture. Some of this is "Black Power", BLM, and the NAACP. Do you see any of this in a negative light? Do you think these things that divide us are from God?

I am much the same, I am a white .. most likely European ancestors. But I don't know all my blood-line, what country they were from, or what language they spoke. So we just have this one big melting pot where all
the cultures get blended a little more every day. Some people like this, but some people are fighting against it.

I see the same thing in church denominations. There used to be only one church. Now there are hundreds of Christian denominations. Is this good or bad? But each group wants to hold on to their culture.
No one wants to change, no one wants to blend in with the other cultures and denominations. Is this good or bad? Is there really a one size fits all?

What's funny, I was in Anchorage Alaska last week. I met two Africans from Africa. Both were first generation, they had only been in the US less than 10 years. They knew where they were from, they knew what country, and
even spoke the language. But what was most surprising to me, was that they weren't interested in bringing the old culture with them, as they were in becoming Americans, whatever that means.

Could the church do this today? Could we say, I'm not interested in being... protestant/pentecostal/baptist/lutheran/calvinst/methodist/reformed, etc.... I'm only interested in being a Christian.
I've been on this site about 15 years now. I don't think I've ever seen two people agree on "what is a Christian". We even have a few people bashing Christians.

Matt 10:34; "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Matt 10:35; "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;
Matt 10:36; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Culture, like anything else.. can be used for good or bad.



Do you think these things bring people closer together, or tend to divide them? Do you think most "culture/society/world-view" objects come from the world/Satan or from God?
For example, when I think of what makes up a "culture". It's usually something racial/ethnic or financial/monetary or education and often religious ('m avoiding the word Christianity here for a reason ).
Do you think it's God's design for us all to be equal ( the same ) or for all of us to be different based on ethnicity, social status, monetary income, education, etc...
If it wasn't God's design, who's design was it?

I love your questions, shows that you are a thinker.

And it allows me to better articulate my thoughts.

You said culture is like anything else, bad or good. True, but that's the problem I'm seeing.
It is not really about seeing it from the lens of bad or good, it is about seeing what is. What exist.

If I ask you what language does someone speak in France or in Japan. You would just look at it
from the aspects of linguistics, you wouldn't focus on whether it is bad or good.

You asked, does culture or that world view bring us closer or divide us? Great question.
It depends on the observer. For many it divides them if they are afraid of difference, for
others it unites and brings us closer if people are not threatened.

So lets talk about ethnic groups for example. I don't feel threatened by my community
having a Hispanic festival to celebrate their "culture". The music and arts and foods that
are shared and common to Hispanics, that does not threaten me or make me feel like I have to attack it.
Ok, so Carlos likes to eat a burrito, cool, why would that divide me from him or make me fearful????

I think the source is this. The problem is really discrimination and racism which puts the cultural thing
in hyperdrive. So imagine one group puts another ethnic group down. Say the Egyptians enslave the Hebrews,
and make them feel bad about their culture, and change their names, Shaddrack, Meshack , Abenedgo. And
make them feel less than human and back about themselves.

There will naturally be a backlash movement where you have Hebrews having festival to celebrate their culture.
Not because they think they are better, but because they've been told that they were less. So they push back
against the discrimination by affirming their culture. However when many see this celebration of culture they get uncomfortable.
They get fearful. Like, why are we having Asian festival, or Black History Month, or Hispanic heritage month, or women's history month,
etc etc. And they feel divided. I think in a perfect world we would all see the difference which are clearly there
and not be threatened and not boast, and not discriminate, and just live life. There wouldn't be a Black history month
if the fall (Adam and Eve sin) had never happened. There would never be a women's sexual assault awareness month,
if the fall had never happened. Because people would just live life. But we live in a fallen world
in which racism and hatred has caused various groups to feel the need to celebrate their culture (not talking about LGBTQ- it is not an ethnic group)
and unfortunately many feel threatened by this celebration and they shouldn't be (What are people afraid of?)

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

I am a white man, living in the USA. I have noticed while living here, we have a lot of different cultures competing for... well, everything.
The Mexicans moving here, put up Mexican flags, speak Spanish, eat Mexican food, and tend to be mostly Roman Catholic. There's nothing wrong with this, but the culture isn't really exactly 100% the same as it is Mexico.
So you have a new culture... somewhere between the White/US culture and the Hispanic/Mexican culture. I see the same tendencies for Puerto Ricans, Cubans, Native American Indians, ... and to a degree Black Americans as well.
Black Americans are a little different for the most part. Almost all of the Hispanic people I know are first or second generation Americans. They still have a lot of the "old culture" and language within them.

Most of the Black Americans I know, are not first or second, or even third generation. They are pretty sure they are from Africa, but usually don't know what part, what tribe, or what the original language was their ancestors spoke.
So they've made a new Black Culture. Some of this is "Black Power", BLM, and the NAACP. Do you see any of this in a negative light? Do you think these things that divide us are from God?

I am much the same, I am a white .. most likely European ancestors. But I don't know all my blood-line, what country they were from, or what language they spoke. So we just have this one big melting pot where all
the cultures get blended a little more every day. Some people like this, but some people are fighting against it.

I see the same thing in church denominations. There used to be only one church. Now there are hundreds of Christian denominations. Is this good or bad? But each group wants to hold on to their culture.
No one wants to change, no one wants to blend in with the other cultures and denominations. Is this good or bad? Is there really a one size fits all?

What's funny, I was in Anchorage Alaska last week. I met two Africans from Africa. Both were first generation, they had only been in the US less than 10 years. They knew where they were from, they knew what country, and
even spoke the language. But what was most surprising to me, was that they weren't interested in bringing the old culture with them, as they were in becoming Americans, whatever that means.

Could the church do this today? Could we say, I'm not interested in being... protestant/pentecostal/baptist/lutheran/calvinst/methodist/reformed, etc.... I'm only interested in being a Christian.
I've been on this site about 15 years now. I don't think I've ever seen two people agree on "what is a Christian". We even have a few people bashing Christians.

Matt 10:34; "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Matt 10:35; "For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW;
Matt 10:36; and A MAN'S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD.

You are bring up some good relevant topics yet slightly different from the OP.

You are weighing into the territory of cultural assimilation and nationalism and cultural identity.
All very relevant but different from my OP, but I"ll walk with you on it.

You are also bring up the point that acknowledging culture divides us, important topic to unpack
but still different from the OP.

By the fact of your post and exploration of culture you are agreeing with me that culture does exist.
That was my first point. Now that you agree that it exist, meaning people are different (but not everyone
with a particular skin color or with certain shared biological facial features belong to the same culture),
the OP asks, how important is it to understand the culture to communicate with someone else.

It seems many are responding and stating, we should be culture-blind.
(1)Deny that culture exist
or
(2) Don't allow your understanding that culture exist to influence how you communicate
the gospel.

For those that hold that position, is this Biblical? How did Jesus communicate the gospel ('Good news')?
Jesus spoke a lot in parables and he changed the parable based on the culture of the person He was speaking to.

He used parables related to farming when communicating to the poor and working class(lawyers), and used
parables related to power and conquest and Kings when speaking to those in authority.
Do you not see Jesus communicating the gospel("Good News") In different ways? His understanding of the culture
was even used to challenge the culture. But you can't effectively challenge the culture if you don't understand the culture.
Jesus challenged the culture by working on the Sabbath, he challenged the culture by speaking with women, he challenged
the culture by not washing his hands before eating. -- I'm not saying accept every aspect of a culture I'm saying understand
it to better communicate and part of the communication involves challenging, but you can't challenge it effectively if you don't understand it.

Thoughts on this post @Curtis , @B-A-C ?
@Jonathan_Gale @lentz @Hekuran @MedicBravo

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

You are bring up some good relevant topics yet slightly different from the OP.

You are weighing into the territory of cultural assimilation and nationalism and cultural identity.
All very relevant but different from my OP, but I"ll walk with you on it.

You are also bring up the point that acknowledging culture divides us, important topic to unpack
but still different from the OP.

By the fact of your post and exploration of culture you are agreeing with me that culture does exist.
That was my first point. Now that you agree that it exist, meaning people are different (but not everyone
with a particular skin color or with certain shared biological facial features belong to the same culture),
the OP asks, how important is it to understand the culture to communicate with someone else.

It seems many are responding and stating, we should be culture-blind.
(1)Deny that culture exist
or
(2) Don't allow your understanding that culture exist to influence how you communicate
the gospel.

For those that hold that position, is this Biblical? How did Jesus communicate the gospel ('Good news')?
Jesus spoke a lot in parables and he changed the parable based on the culture of the person He was speaking to.

He used parables related to farming when communicating to the poor and working class(lawyers), and used
parables related to power and conquest and Kings when speaking to those in authority.
Do you not see Jesus communicating the gospel("Good News") In different ways? His understanding of the culture
was even used to challenge the culture. But you can't effectively challenge the culture if you don't understand the culture.
Jesus challenged the culture by working on the Sabbath, he challenged the culture by speaking with women, he challenged
the culture by not washing his hands before eating. -- I'm not saying accept every aspect of a culture I'm saying understand
it to better communicate and part of the communication involves challenging, but you can't challenge it effectively if you don't understand it.

Thoughts on this post @Curtis , @B-A-C ?
@Jonathan_Gale @lentz @Hekuran @MedicBravo

(1) Was Jesus wrong in challenging the culture?

(2) Was His challenge of the culture (working on the sabbath) coincidental, or
was it purposeful because he had knowledge of the culture?

(3) Was Jesus wrong for changing the ways He told parables based on his cultural knowledge of His audience?

 

[B-A-C]

You are weighing into the territory of cultural assimilation and nationalism and cultural identity.
All very relevant but different from my OP, but I"ll walk with you on it.

But are these things tied to religious culture?
Let us say most American Christians are evangelical/protestants.

Without intending to... I have already mentioned three groups... Americans. Christians. Protestants.
So first we have the Ethic/Racial cultural mixing. For me... that's a really a non-issue, as long as we keep it at that level... the question is... can we?
Lets move to the second level... Because I am Hispanic/Middle Eastern/Indian/Chinese.... I will bring my Roman Catholic/Muslim/Hindu/Buddhist culture with me.
Now it becomes a little more of a threat. I'm not really fighting an Ethnic culture war, I'm fighting a high-level theology war. Which of us is worshiping "the real God".

I think it was Charles Spurgeon who said "Witness to everyone, and if necessary use words". Our lifestyle should be influencing people.
I'm all for eating Tacos/Burritos/Gyros/Curry/Teriyaki/ etc... but if I have to change my religious views to do that... then not so much.
Jesus changed the culture. He didn't let the culture change Him.

Jesus never compromised His theology ( well He couldn't, because He Himself is God ). He never let the Pharisees, Sadducees, or even the Greek Philosophers walk over Him.
He stuck to His guns.. even to the point of death. How many of us can do that today? How many don't even realize how much they are being influenced by the culture of
the world? I see "Christians" right here on TalkJesus, posting things that God/Jesus would never agree with. The world culture is sneaking in.. even here.

I see your argument, learn their culture so you can relate to the people. But the danger is... can we learn it to the point it influences our beliefs and theology.

 

[B-A-C]

(2) Was His challenge of the culture (working on the sabbath) coincidental, or
was it purposeful because he had knowledge of the culture?

That particular one was to prove a point. I am sure Jesus knew the Law of the OT.

 

[lentz]

Thanks for sharing.

It seems that it is difficult to communicate with someone who is unable to read what you are trying to communicate
with them. Thus you share your points but don't listen to what the other is staying. Ok.

I'll apologize for writing so much. Let me make it shorter. And start with what I believe is a strawman argument.

Who is saying that you have to wear baggy pants? Where did I say you have to comb your hair a certain way?
I fear that you have a perception of my position, but your perception is not reality. Therefore you are arguing against
a position that is in your mind but not one that I hold.

To state simply: Understanding another culture does not mean transitioning into the culture.
Does that make sense? Is it possible for you to understand the youth gen Z culture and their texting
and facebook, and your comprehension doesn't mean that you are transitioning to their culture but it means
that you better understand them and can better love and reach them. Not by changing the WORD of God.
But by understanding them better. -- Now tell me what you do understand me to be saying?

Thanks.

Still all of that is irrelevant. It doesnt matter about the Z's,facebook or anything else. Its the gospel that is important. Its the same gospel whether 16 years old or 96. American or Swahili. You lay it out and they will eat it up.
You want me to tell youwhat i understand you to be saying. Well it tells me that maybe you shouldnt be teaching. If its that complicated for you.
God bless

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

But are these things tied to religious culture?
Let us say most American Christians are evangelical/protestants.

Without intending to... I have already mentioned three groups... Americans. Christians. Protestants.
So first we have the Ethic/Racial cultural mixing. For me... that's a really a non-issue, as long as we keep it at that level... the question is... can we?
Lets move to the second level... Because I am Hispanic/Middle Eastern/Indian/Chinese.... I will bring my Roman Catholic/Muslim/Hindu/Buddhist culture with me.
Now it becomes a little more of a threat. I'm not really fighting an Ethnic culture war, I'm fighting a high-level theology war. Which of us is worshiping "the real God".

I think it was Charles Spurgeon who said "Witness to everyone, and if necessary use words". Our lifestyle should be influencing people.
I'm all for eating Tacos/Burritos/Gyros/Curry/Teriyaki/ etc... but if I have to change my religious views to do that... then not so much.
Jesus changed the culture. He didn't let the culture change Him.

Jesus never compromised His theology ( well He couldn't, because He Himself is God ). He never let the Pharisees, Sadducees, or even the Greek Philosophers walk over Him.
He stuck to His guns.. even to the point of death. How many of us can do that today? How many don't even realize how much they are being influenced by the culture of
the world? I see "Christians" right here on TalkJesus, posting things that God/Jesus would never agree with. The world culture is sneaking in.. even here.

I see your argument, learn their culture so you can relate to the people. But the danger is... can we learn it to the point it influences our beliefs and theology.

You stated

Jesus never compromised His theology

I agree with you and you are arguing for a position that I do not oppose.
I'm not advocating for changing theology.

You stated

How many don't even realize how much they are being influenced by the culture of
the world?

I totally agree with you once again on this point.

I see your argument, learn their culture so you can relate to the people. But the danger is... can we learn it to the point it influences our beliefs and theology.

Of course, but I think if you approach it with the right perspective the danger is way less than you may be making it.


"Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.
To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law
(though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from
God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people
so that by all possible means I might save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings."
--1 Corinthians 9:19--9:23


Jesus calls us to be fishers of Men. My analogy is not the best but just try to grasp the main point.
Jesus calls us to be fishers of men. Now if a fisherman is trying to catch fish, and he studies how
the fish swim and when they mate, and when they come up for air, etc, etc, etc. Is there a danger
in the fisherman forgetting who he is and being like a fish? Well not really if he knows what he is doing
and why.

I think we agree on basically everything. You just want to emphasize the point of people trying to change into
worldly, secular culture as an excuse to evanglize and they get lost. And that is a valid point that I agree with.
And I'm just trying to emphasize us understanding others.

I mean heck (respectfully speaking), when a guy tries to pursue a girl, he may learn a bit about her female
"culture" in terms how what gifts she likes, her preference to have friends out on dates because she feels safer
,etc, etc. Is there a risk of the man becoming like a girl or feminine because he is studying female culture? Well??
I don't think most men fear being at risk of changing who they are just because they study a woman to better
communicate their love to that woman. But your point about secular culture is one that I totally agree with. I don't
think we are arguing against each other, just emphasizing different points to an issue.

 

[Curtis]

1Co 9:19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
1Co 9:20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.
1Co 9:21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
1Co 9:22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
1Co 9:23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. (NLT)

Learning another culture is not to live under that culture but to find common ground so as to bring those under that culture to Jesus.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Its the gospel that is important. Its the same gospel whether 16 years old or 96

Let me help you out beloved.

Let's say that you don't understand the Gen Z culture, and you come with that attitude. "Just preach the Gospel".
"Its just the Gospel".

Beloved, no one is attacking the gospel here, and an understanding of culture is not a challenge to the gospel.
This is what we call a false dichotomy or false dilemma in argument. A logical fallacy. It is not either or.

So for example one doesn't understand or refuses to understand the Gen Z facebook culture and they stand
on the streets just "preaching the gospel". And then they wonder why they don't have any youth in their church.

If they understood (not saying accept), but if they understood that these Gen Zs are on their cellphones 24/7, this
knowledge might have led them to invest in having the gospel message shared on a YouTube Channel, or even
on a site like TalkJesus, instead of standing on the street corner preaching, because, well that is what
I see Jesus doing in the Bible, he stood on the street corner. But Jesus lived before internet and in that culture
there was no internet.

Any of this making sense beloved?

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

1Co 9:19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ.
1Co 9:20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ. When I was with those who follow the Jewish law, I too lived under that law. Even though I am not subject to the law, I did this so I could bring to Christ those who are under the law.
1Co 9:21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.
1Co 9:22 When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.
1Co 9:23 I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings. (NLT)

Learning another culture is not to live under that culture but to find common ground so as to bring those under that culture to Jesus.

Amen exactly,

I quoted this in my post above.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Its the same gospel whether 16 years old or 96.

Yes the Gospel is the same, but we humans are not the same. Yes???

There is no pure gospel without a medium.

God could have shouted the "pure gospel" down from heaven, but he chose in His wisdom.
To have it incarnated. In a person, a Jewish man, in flesh. In a certain time period.

Even the gospel of Love beloved is communicated through a medium.

So let's say the pure gospel is love. This love does not float in the air in abstract.
It comes through a medium. Remember this pure gospel you seek became flesh.
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14

Jesus put on flesh, He entered into our world, and lived like us, "dwelt among us", not to change himself
but like brother @Curtis states, to have common ground with us. Do you think humans
received the gospel better because God became a human like them. What if God had your attitude.
I'm just going to shout down from heaven the "pure gospel" and they better just receive it?

But even love has to be communicate through a medium and culture catches that.
Love through words is impacted by the culture of language
Love through physical touch is impacted by the culture through physical norms,
Love through hospitality is impacted but the culture through norms of what is hospitable

Is any of this making sense?

 

[lentz]

Let me help you out beloved.

Let's say that you don't understand the Gen Z culture, and you come with that attitude. "Just preach the Gospel".
"Its just the Gospel".

Beloved, no one is attacking the gospel here, and an understanding of culture is not a challenge to the gospel.
This is what we call a false dichotomy or false dilemma in argument. A logical fallacy. It is not either or.

So for example one doesn't understand or refuses to understand the Gen Z facebook culture and they stand
on the streets just "preaching the gospel". And then they wonder why they don't have any youth in their church.

If they understood (not saying accept), but if they understood that these Gen Zs are on their cellphones 24/7, this
knowledge might have led them to invest in having the gospel message shared on a YouTube Channel, or even
on a site like TalkJesus, instead of standing on the street corner preaching, because, well that is what
I see Jesus doing in the Bible, he stood on the street corner. But Jesus lived before internet and in that culture
there was no internet.

Any of this making sense beloved?

Quite beloved. So do you go to the bars and preach? Because,while bars are not cell phones,that is where the ones you want to reach hang out.
I realize beloved,i may not fully understand your predicament, however i still feel it is all irreverent to the teaching of salvation.
God bless you my dear beloved

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Still all of that is irrelevant. It doesnt matter about the Z's,facebook or anything else. Its the gospel that is important.

Even my communication with you is improved by understanding culture. Without looking at your profile
I can understand that certain aspects of this information age culture (not genz, but technology for all ages) makes many people
not wanting to read. Because they are used to quick sound bites and scrolling and not reading a lot.

Therefore to better communicate with you, I'm trying to write less. That is a prime example there, that understanding
that you are living in the digital age culture where many don't like to read a lot, for me to better communicate with you,
I need to write less.

Now how more simpler can I be with communicating the value of understanding culture than that???

 

[lentz]

Yes the Gospel is the same, but we humans are not the same. Yes???

There is no pure gospel without a medium.

God could have shouted the "pure gospel" down from heaven, but he chose in His wisdom.
To have it incarnated. In a person, a Jewish man, in flesh. In a certain time period.

Even the gospel of Love beloved is communicated through a medium.

So let's say the pure gospel is love. This love does not float in the air in abstract.
It comes through a medium. Remember this pure gospel you seek became flesh.
"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." - John 1:14

Jesus put on flesh, He entered into our world, and lived like us, "dwelt among us", not to change himself
but like brother @Curtis states, to have common ground with us. Do you think humans
received the gospel better because God became a human like them. What if God had your attitude.
I'm just going to shout down from heaven the "pure gospel" and they better just receive it?

But even love has to be communicate through a medium and culture catches that.
Love through words is impacted by the culture of language
Love through physical touch is impacted by the culture through physical norms,
Love through hospitality is impacted but the culture through norms of what is hospitable

Is any of this making sense?

3 things are important in reaching a new convert my beloved.
The word,the Holy Spirit and a human connection of some kind. Those 3 are vital.
Phillip and the eunuch is a great example. All your other jargon is only fluff.
My beloved

 

[lentz]

Even my communication with you is improved by understanding culture. Without looking at your profile
I can understand that certain aspects of this information age culture (not genz, but technology for all ages) makes many people
not wanting to read. Because they are used to quick sound bites and scrolling and not reading a lot.

Therefore to better communicate with you, I'm trying to write less. That is a prime example there, that understanding
that you are living in the digital age culture where many don't like to read a lot, for me to better communicate with you,
I need to write less.

Now how more simpler can I be with communicating the value of understanding culture than that???

No son,my beloved,it is that i am old and in my day we knew how to communicate. A quick,precise,short paragraph is all thats needed. Anymore and i start thinking you are trying to convince youself.
My old people ways......now theres culture for you my beloved.

Your culture is to ask a question using enough fodder to fill a Sears catalog.
God bless my beloved

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

Quite beloved. So do you go to the bars and preach? Because,while bars are not cell phones,that is where the ones you want to reach hang out.

Thanks for the reply.

Did you understand my example with preaching in the streets vs going on TalkJesus (which is exactly what you are doing right now)?

Assuming you did, to reply to your point (and I'm enjoying the discussion, and I thank you for your time which is valuable) , I like you question.
Beautifully put.

So let's frame your question in the context on this discussion. Doing so we would ask, is there a certain, let's say, college culture.
And one might say yes, College children like to go to bars. That is the college culture. Now I never advocated for adopting a new
culture, I simply said understanding. So with that understanding that college students go to bars, one may go outside of the bar
like this man of God in the video below and share the gospel. He is not partaking of their activities but using his knowledge to reach them.

It is simple be in the world but not of the world.
Your fear is that I'm trying to tell people to be of the world. Relax beloved, that is not what I'm doing or trying to do.
We are in the world but not of the world.

How can you be in the world and ignorant of the things of the world. People study everything. They study living things (biology) no issues,
they study money and commerce (economic) no issues, they study the physical world (physics etc), They study food (culinary), they study music (music)
no problem. Now when we speak of studying culture (The way of life of people), all of a sudden people start getting scared and running in fear.
Why??????????????????????????????????????? What are you afraid of????????????????

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

That particular one was to prove a point. I am sure Jesus knew the Law of the OT.

Exactly, Knowledge of the culture.

 

[Jesus_is_LORD]

i still feel it is all irreverent to the teaching of salvation.
God bless you my dear beloved

So tell me

(1) Do you teach salvation?

(2) How do you teach it ?( give me a specific situation when you last did it)

I'm assuming you're not a pastor or a missionary or Bible study teacher. Just a surface hypothesis
because if you were, I would be surprised that you don't see my point.