In 1951 Richard Niebuhr published Christ and Culture, a book that has influenced theological
conversations for generations now. You can read a brief summary and critique here and here.
Though I don’t plan to address his specific categories of the ways Christians
tend to relate to the culture, he does provide food for thought.
Every time an election rolls around, I wonder what Christian
voters are expecting to receive from their preferred candidates. All too often,
it seems like many are thinking “If my guy gets elected he’ll finally fix all
our problems.” They probably know that they can’t pin all their hopes on a
politician, but you’d never know that from the rhetoric swirling around on
social media. At times like this, I find myself leaning more toward a “Christ
against culture” framework, and wishing I could withdraw from the mess
altogether. At the very least, I see the tension between Christ and culture.
There are several things we ought to keep in mind regardless
of what country we live in, what political party we support, or what church we
belong to.
1) Scripture never promises us a comfortable or supportive
culture. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the
earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword… And a person’s enemies will
be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:34, 36 ESV). If we never find
ourselves at odds with our culture, chances are good we’re placing our faith
somewhere other than in Christ.
2) We
are not awaiting a reformation of this sin-broken world, but a redemption from
it. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner
self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is
preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look
not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the
things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal”
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18). The whole creation will continue to struggle and groan
as we wait for that day (see Romans 8:22-25).
3) The end of time will not come as a gradual, peaceful
transition from this world to the next. “For nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in
various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matt.
24:7-8). We should not be surprised when conflict comes even within our own
nation. No human institution can bring about the utopia we desire.
4) Our allegiance is first and foremost to God. “There is
neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and
female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). He is not only our
Savior and Lord who has all authority over us, but He should also be the One we
most glorify and praise with our words and deeds— “to the only God, our Savior,
through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority,
before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25).
5) We are called to love one another even when we disagree.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an
opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole
law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But
if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one
another” (Galatians 5:13-15). People may be able to tell your political party
by your posts, but can they tell you are Christian by your love (John 13:35)?
If, like me, you are tired of sin, disease, disasters,
strife, and turmoil, remember that our ultimate hope is in the God who created
this world and sent His Son as a redeeming sacrifice. Let the brokenness of
this life drive you to His Word and prayer. Find encouragement in His promises,
and look for ways in which the Body of Christ is united and working together
for His Kingdom.
“Do
not love the world or the things in the world… For all that is in the world—the
desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from
the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its
desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
© 2020 Dawn Rutan. Unless otherwise indicated all images are
copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect
the views of my church or employer.
