What is clear from this exploration is that each of the three primary post-Christendom approaches to culture have strengths and weaknesses when compared to the… Read More »The Sanctificationist Approach to Culture
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
So is there a distinctly Christian culture? Is there a distinctly Christian music? Yes, there is—it is culture and music that expresses Christian values. In… Read More »A Distinctly Christian Culture
Last week, I spoke at the Preserving the Truth Conference in Troy, MI. Of the three points that I made in my presentation (notes, audio),… Read More »Missions and the antithesis