Where are We?

What is our culture?

This question has many answers. There are those who would say that the culture in which we live is our general community. That is to say that those immediately around us form our culture.

To a certain extent I think this is true.

It is certainly true that those around us form a culture. Most everyone refers to different regions of the world, nation, and even major cities as having a specific culture. European culture, American culture, Yankee culture, southern - which is clearly God-ordained - culture, beach and or river community culture, and downtown culture are all phrases we hear in regards to the term culture.

All of the above are valid uses of the term culture, and indeed regions do contain different "cultures."

I would like to discuss a much broader culture. The culture in which you and I live, for the most part, encompasses all of the US, Canada, and Western Europe. This is what is referred to as Western Culture. Western Culture, or civilization, has a rich, deep, history which is deserving of many years of research and study. But, despite my inclination to dwell on Western history as a whole, we will hone in on a later period in Western history.

In AD 1500 one of the most important movements in world history began: the Reformation. Out of this period came some of the greatest Christian thinkers and theologians of all time. Coinciding with this movement was - the reformation and this are my favorite periods of history - the Renaissance. The Renaissance produced a rebirth of thought for the culture of that time period.

Consequently, AD 1650 launched what is known as the Modern Era. Here we see the (perceived) autonomy of man. Human reasoning was (and is) king.

Then, in 1975, what is referred to as a paradigm shift occurred.This pushed us into the Postmodern Age. It is in this Postmodern Age that you and I find ourselves. We are now in an age where we find no truth. Indeed if I feel that something is true it may or may not be true to you!

In this age of relativity of truth, the Christian and his doctrine run completely contradictory to contemporary beliefs. However, this is not to say that all Postmodern thought is bad. Conversely, there are many aspects that are to be commended and utilized.

It should be noted that in the upper echelons of American and European universities the Postmodern age is considered to be over. In the minds of those select members of academia, we have now moved into the Post-postmodern age. There is also a small contingent that claims that we have moved into the Transmodern Era rather than a Post-postmodern age (the difference of which we may discuss later).

Despite these different levels of thought, you and I, as well as the rest of the world, will be living in the effects of postmodernity for the remainder of our, and most likely our children's, lives.

So here we are! This is the world in which we find ourselves. Many times we hear people claim that they wish they lived in a certain time period or that the "Christian walk" would be easier if they lived under different circumstances. This is faulty, even sinful, thinking. We should not think of our position in history as a negative aspect of our lives. Rather we should be honored that God has ordained a few of us to participate in His plan in this our unique age.

We Begin

Where do Bible-believing Christians fit in today's culture?

Do Christians have a place in today's culture? Perhaps we are to blend in with all other "religions." Wait! Are we not to be salt and light to a dying world?

Our question turns: how are we to bring light into this 21st century Western culture? Are we to stand on the street corners and proclaim damnation on all who do not attend church wearing dark suits? Surely not. The answer is to wear the world's mask, making sure that we are accepted in to its society. Then, at the last possible moment we admit that we are religious and hope that those around us might, possibly, maybe, want to become religious with us. Maybe a happy medium can be found? Perhaps there is an even better way.

These are the questions that we must ponder. Furthermore, we must not stop with pondering, we must press farther into the phase of engaging culture.

May God add His blessing and wisdom as we contemplate Culture and the Christian.