Man of Depravity - Tyler Braun's posts on Church Ministry, Worship, Seminary, and Theology.

Christ and Culture

2008 May 29

by Tyler

There are 5 distinct views that are commonly thought of when thinking about how Jesus dealt with culture during his time on earth.

Christ against culture. Christ is opposed to the cultural expressions of this world and calls his followers to another way.
Christ above culture. Christ arrives to lift the culture.
Christ in paradox with culture. We are called to follow Christ and dwell in a non-Christian culture.
Christ transforming culture. God calls us to redeem the world by a missional life.
Christ of culture. When Christians begin to see the culture in which they live to be more or less Christian.

We often think of these as exclusive. Meaning that how Jesus interacted with the culture was only one of these. I think that would be wrong. Not only is it alienating other points of view, but I think we see in the Bible that Jesus was probably all of these at some point.

My question is: which one most reflects Jesus’ ministry on earth to you?

My answer: tomorrow.

(HT: Jesus Creed)

Filed under: the rest... Tags: theology

http://blog.zimorama.com/ David

You can take the survey at my site and it will place you in one of these five categories.

DZ
Yonas

I took the survey and I’m category #3.

Not sure what it means ‘dwell’ in the non-christian culture. I see ‘dwelling’ in that context as living and interact with non-Christians.
http://newheights.wordpress.com/ Darin

I guess I will wait for tomorrow, if I have internet that is.
http://www.GAJohnson.org Greg Johnson

Tyler

I agree with you. It would be wrong to think of these as exclusive. If I had to pick one that most reflects Jesus’ ministry on earth to me, it would be missional. He attended church on the Sabbath “as his custom was”, but He ministered daily at the point of need. Most of the people He touched daily would not be welcome in the church. He hung out with sinners and debated with the religionist of His day. His friends were the sinners and the religionists nailed Him to the cross.

Sad to say, most churches in America have neglected following Christ in missional ministry. Some cities back east where I come from have churches on every corner with homeless sleeping in their lots, drug addicts using on their steps and gangs fighting over their turf. They have church and will minister to those that come in to their service, but who are they touching during the week?

(1 Peter 2:21 NIV) “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”

I’m going to have church @ http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org , but the rest of the time, I’m going to follow Christ in point of need ministry. I feel closer to Christ when I’m ministering to the drug addict, the homeless, the incarcerated and the gang member wanting freedom. So yep, missional does the most for me.

Just tonight, I picked up a homie that is fresh out of jail and living in a transitional house and took him for a big mac. We talked, ate and prayed together. Jesus was with us. I could sense His precious presence. This man can’t come to our church because it would be a parole violation. He doesn’t have to come to our church though. I know where he lives.

gaj