Unbelievers’ Culture Can Be Good
The third principle that emerges from the idea of culture as behavior is that fundamental antithesis exists between the values of Christians and unbelievers, but… Read More »Unbelievers’ Culture Can Be Good
Articles on Culture
Does Christ Redeem Cultural Expressions?
We have studied some statements by Shai Linne and boiled them down to four propositions. 1) Rap is a medium. 2) Media are morally neutral… Read More »Does Christ Redeem Cultural Expressions?
Christians are Redeemed from Unholy Culture
The second conclusion that emerges from the idea that the New Testament concept of “culture” is behavior is that Christians are redeemed from unholy culture.… Read More »Christians are Redeemed from Unholy Culture
Unholy Culture Exists
If the idea of “culture” in the NT is essentially “behavior,” then the biblical approach to culture becomes more apparent. From the NT discussions of… Read More »Unholy Culture Exists
Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 5)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 This series is applying the words of Paul in the early chapters of 1 Corinthians to ministry in the… Read More »Relevance is Irrelevant (Part 5)
Are Media ‘By Definition’ Morally Neutral?
In Shai Linne’s statements, we identified four propositions: 1) Rap is a medium. 2) Media are morally neutral until informed by content. 3) Christ’s act… Read More »Are Media ‘By Definition’ Morally Neutral?
The New Testament Approach to Culture
Niebuhr’s classic categories have often been critiqued for the fact that few people fit neatly into any one of them, and for good reason. As… Read More »The New Testament Approach to Culture
Is Rap Really a Canvas?
The following abridged discussion took place here. Credo Mag: In the past you have been criticized for redeeming such a “depraved genre” as hip-hop. What… Read More »Is Rap Really a Canvas?
The Missional Approach to Culture
The missional church movement is certainly not a monolithic group; yet characteristics of this movement are strikingly similar to characteristics of the transformationalist approach to… Read More »The Missional Approach to Culture
The Transformationalist Approach to Culture
The third post-Christendom approach to culture is the one kingdom, or transformationalist, posture. This position appeals to the redemption motif in Scripture, namely that God… Read More »The Transformationalist Approach to Culture
The Two-Kingdoms Approach to Culture
The two-kingdom approach is essentially built upon two ideas: natural law and a clear distinction between redemptive and non-redemptive social spheres. The first idea is… Read More »The Two-Kingdoms Approach to Culture
The Separatist Approach to Culture
The Anabaptist approach to culture finds its clearest representation today in the Amish, Mennonites, and Brethren, but other groups manifest the general Christ against culture… Read More »The Separatist Approach to Culture
Martin Luther’s Approach to Culture
When Martin Luther (1483–1546) begins making reforms in the church, one of the most significant issues he faces is the relationship between the civil and… Read More »Martin Luther’s Approach to Culture
Herman Dooyeweerd’s Approach to Culture
The first of Kuyper’s direct followers to explicitly transition away from the Reformed doctrine of two kingdoms was Herman Dooyeweerd (1894-1977). Building on Kuyper’s ambiguity,… Read More »Herman Dooyeweerd’s Approach to Culture
Abraham Kuyper’s Approach to Culture
The history of Christian approaches to culture clearly enters a stage of transition in the work of Dutch Reformed theologian Abraham Kuyper (1837–1920). VanDrunen argues… Read More »Abraham Kuyper’s Approach to Culture
Relevance is irrelevant (Part 4)
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 I believe that the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians ought to guide our thinking concerning the relationship of our… Read More »Relevance is irrelevant (Part 4)
John Calvin’s Approach to Culture
John Calvin’s (1509–1564) position regarding the relationship of the church to the surrounding culture is one of intense debate. For example, VanDrunen argues that Calvin… Read More »John Calvin’s Approach to Culture
The Radical Reformers’ Approach to Culture
Following Luther’s lead, each Protestant group reacted against the Christendom approach to culture in some way. The most radical rejection of the Christ above culture… Read More »The Radical Reformers’ Approach to Culture
The Christendom Approach to Culture
Before exploring approaches to cultural engagement post-Christendom, or even that of Christendom itself, it is necessary to consider what happened before and during the period… Read More »The Christendom Approach to Culture
Relevance is irrelevant (Part 3)
Part 1 | Part 2 In part 1, we looked at Paul’s ministry model in 1 Corinthains 1:10-17. Paul took deliberate steps to preach the gospel… Read More »Relevance is irrelevant (Part 3)