Culture
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Put simply, culture is the way in which a community expresses itself.
While culture certainly includes those habits and customs that are particular to a specific community (such as shaking hands or kissing the cheeks; bowing or waving; signing a contract or handing over a sandal [Ruth 4:7], etc.), culture is most profoundly expressed through a community's philosophy, art, and entertainment. While not every community has a formal declaration of any of these things (indeed, most do not), every community does, in fact, have - as a community - a general preference and attraction to specific philosophies, arts, and forms of entertainment. |
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And just as in all other aspects of life (theology, government, society), Jesus Christ is and must be Lord over culture. He must be both the foundational source of, as well as the end to whom all glory is given, in our philosophy (Prv. 1:7; Col. 2:3, 8-10), as well as our art and entertainment (1 Cor. 10:31; Phil. 4:8).
But once again, we must define our terms when speaking of such abstract ideas. What is philosophy? What is art? What is entertainment?
While there will be continued debate about these subjects, for the purpose of being clear in my own communication, I would define them as such:
Suffice it to say, all individuals do have a philosophy of life, which truly does direct how they express themselves in art and how they find enjoyment in entertainment. And then of course the collective of individuals counted as a community end up having a general view, taste, preference, or leaning toward a specific philosophy, expression of art, and enjoyment of entertainment.
This is one thing, though, that makes "culture" a little more difficult to think about - because of the complex nature of what defines a community. For instance, by citizenship, I'm an American. And as part of the American community I do align with certain aspects of American culture (freedom, opportunity, etc.). But I'm also a Christian. And so belonging to the body of Christ there are times (many times) when my culture as a Christian is in direct opposition to the generally perceived "American Culture" (praising the sovereignty of God in achievement rather than attributing it to "luck" or human ambition; preferring modest dress and clean dancing in public places over against provocative appearance and sensually stimulating rhythmic physical communication; choosing the Law of God as the standard by which we should live rather than the wills of fallen man, etc.).(1)
And it is even more difficult to sort all this out since people will always belong to more than one community. There is a separate (though sometimes overlapping) community to which we belong when it comes to our family, our work, our church (or church substitute), our local city or town, our nation, the community of mankind in general. Add to that the other affinities people have in life: the community of Pepsi drinkers, the community of bar goers, the community of gamblers, the community of sports fans, etc. - the list goes on forever.
So generally, when talking of "the culture of a community" it can be quite a cumbersome task when rooting through all the entanglements of which community you are making reference. But as I've maintained elsewhere that the church is to be a light to the world and God's instrument for societal transformation, I will maintain that that same notion applies when it comes to culture. And so, as Christians, when deciphering to what "community" we belong in determining how culture ought to be, we are left with only two options - the domain of darkness, or the kingdom of light (Eph. 5:11, 13-14; Phil. 2:15; Col. 1:13-14).
And so when speaking of culture on this site and blog, I will be speaking only of what culture ought to be, according to the kingdom of light. Put simply, the culture of the community of believers (and I'm speaking in the broad sense of the universal church, not the local church on ecclesiastical matters) - the culture of all true believers in Christ ought to be expressed under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in any and all of its forms.
No matter how many different "communities" there are, there still can be only One arbiter of what is a righteous culture. Culture does have a standard (contrary to a large part of modern public opinion). How you get direction for your life, how you actively express your thoughts and attitudes through creative means, and how you passively express your thoughts and attitudes by what you enjoy are all subject to the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean they'll all be identical. Just as there are a variety of labors in which we can endeavor that glorify God and contribute righteously to society, so there are a variety of ways we can think, actively express our thoughts, and passively express our leisure that righteously express our community. But all of these things must be done under the Lordship of Christ (1 Cor. 10:31).
But once again, we must define our terms when speaking of such abstract ideas. What is philosophy? What is art? What is entertainment?
While there will be continued debate about these subjects, for the purpose of being clear in my own communication, I would define them as such:
- Philosophy
The thought-assumptions taken for granted (i.e. are assumed at the outset), which give foundation to and direction for one's life - Art
The active expression of philosophy through purposefully creative means (whether visual, verbal, or auditory) - Entertainment
The passive expression of philosophy through intentionally enjoyed participation (whether visual, verbal, or auditory)
Suffice it to say, all individuals do have a philosophy of life, which truly does direct how they express themselves in art and how they find enjoyment in entertainment. And then of course the collective of individuals counted as a community end up having a general view, taste, preference, or leaning toward a specific philosophy, expression of art, and enjoyment of entertainment.
This is one thing, though, that makes "culture" a little more difficult to think about - because of the complex nature of what defines a community. For instance, by citizenship, I'm an American. And as part of the American community I do align with certain aspects of American culture (freedom, opportunity, etc.). But I'm also a Christian. And so belonging to the body of Christ there are times (many times) when my culture as a Christian is in direct opposition to the generally perceived "American Culture" (praising the sovereignty of God in achievement rather than attributing it to "luck" or human ambition; preferring modest dress and clean dancing in public places over against provocative appearance and sensually stimulating rhythmic physical communication; choosing the Law of God as the standard by which we should live rather than the wills of fallen man, etc.).(1)
And it is even more difficult to sort all this out since people will always belong to more than one community. There is a separate (though sometimes overlapping) community to which we belong when it comes to our family, our work, our church (or church substitute), our local city or town, our nation, the community of mankind in general. Add to that the other affinities people have in life: the community of Pepsi drinkers, the community of bar goers, the community of gamblers, the community of sports fans, etc. - the list goes on forever.
So generally, when talking of "the culture of a community" it can be quite a cumbersome task when rooting through all the entanglements of which community you are making reference. But as I've maintained elsewhere that the church is to be a light to the world and God's instrument for societal transformation, I will maintain that that same notion applies when it comes to culture. And so, as Christians, when deciphering to what "community" we belong in determining how culture ought to be, we are left with only two options - the domain of darkness, or the kingdom of light (Eph. 5:11, 13-14; Phil. 2:15; Col. 1:13-14).
And so when speaking of culture on this site and blog, I will be speaking only of what culture ought to be, according to the kingdom of light. Put simply, the culture of the community of believers (and I'm speaking in the broad sense of the universal church, not the local church on ecclesiastical matters) - the culture of all true believers in Christ ought to be expressed under the Lordship of Jesus Christ in any and all of its forms.
No matter how many different "communities" there are, there still can be only One arbiter of what is a righteous culture. Culture does have a standard (contrary to a large part of modern public opinion). How you get direction for your life, how you actively express your thoughts and attitudes through creative means, and how you passively express your thoughts and attitudes by what you enjoy are all subject to the Lord Jesus Christ. This does not mean they'll all be identical. Just as there are a variety of labors in which we can endeavor that glorify God and contribute righteously to society, so there are a variety of ways we can think, actively express our thoughts, and passively express our leisure that righteously express our community. But all of these things must be done under the Lordship of Christ (1 Cor. 10:31).
(1) I'm not at all saying this with an "I'm holier than thou" tone. The only reason I have these preferences is because of Christ's work in me (1 Tim. 1:13-15).