Christianity versus culture: Classic attitudes

• Christians have had different perspectives on engaging with culture.
• Two classic books -- Richard Neiburh's in 1951 and Chuck Kraft's in 1981 -- catalog ways religious leaders have thought about the larger culture.
• How should Christians view and interact with their surrounding culture?
• Christian viewpoints about the surrounding culture have included opposition, transformation, coexistence, and dualism.

How faith and its relationship to the broader culture

"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord" -- 2 Corinthians 6:17

How should Christians view the surrounding culture? Do we go to war with it? Do we insist that it be "christianized"? Do we live in an uneasy truce with it?

Two classic books can help us think through these questions. In 1951 Yale professor Richard Niebuhr wrote a book outlining five positions Christians have historically taken on the issue. Thirty years later, Fuller Theological Seminary missiologist Charles Kraft wrote a book to say that the religion vs culture debate was not unique to Christianity. He reduced Niebuhr's positions to four, combining two of the categories. Here's a listing of the Christ and culture positions presented by Niebuhr and Kraft.

Richard Niebuhr's 1951 book - Christ and Culture

1. Christ against culture
2. The Christ of culture
3. Christ above culture
4. Christ and culture in paradox
5. Christ, the transformer of culture

Charles Kraft's 1981 book: Christianity in Culture

1. God against culture
2. God in culture
   1. God (or Christ) is merely a culture hero
   2. God is contained within, or at least endorses, one particular culture
3. God above culture
   1. Deism and many African cultures
   2. Follow the requirements of both Christ and culture, but each in its own place.
   3. Dualism -- only real solution to paradox lies in the future. The Christian is like an amphibian living in two realms.
   4. Culture is corrupted but convertible.
4. God above-but-through culture

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More Perspectives

Throughout history, Christians have adopted various perspectives toward the larger cultures in which they have lived. Those approaches have included the following:

1. Separatist/Exclusivist Perspective: Some Christians view the broader culture as fundamentally opposed to their faith. They therefore choose to separate themselves from it. They may see the larger culture as corrupt or sinful. As a result, they maintain strict boundaries to protect their religious identity. This perspective often emphasizes purity and holiness.
2. Accommodationist/Inclusivist Perspective: Other Christians take a more accommodating approach. They seek to engage with and transform the broader culture from within. They believe that aspects of the culture can be compatible with Christian values and seek common ground that they can use to to positively influence society. This perspective emphasizes dialogue, cultural relevance, and adaptation.
3. Transformationalist Perspective: Some Christians adopt a transformationalist view. This vew combines elements of separatism and accommodationism. People with this perspective believe in engaging with the broader culture while also seeking to transform it according to Christian principles. This perspective often involves active participation in societal institutions and working for social justice and change.
4. Dualistic Perspective: A dualistic view divides the world between the spiritual and the secular. The latter is seen as being inherently flawed or evil. Christians holding this perspective may engage with the broader culture to varying degrees but maintain clear distinctions between the sacred and the profane.
5. Critical Engagement Perspective: Some Christians adopt a critical engagement approach. This involves discerning and critiquing elements of the broader culture while also affirming and participating in aspects that align with Christian values. This perspective emphasizes a balance between discernment and cultural engagement.
6. Contextualization Perspective: In contexts where Christianity is interacting with several diverse cultures, contextualization is emphasized. This involves expressing the the Christian message and practices in ways that resonate with each cultural context while retaining essential theological principles.

These perspectives are not mutually exclusive or antithetical. Theological convictions, cultural context, and personal experiences often lead Christians to combine elements from various approaches.

Related articles

• Understanding cultue: Iceberg, concentric circles, and an onion
• Contextualization in missions
• Ethnocentrism and monoculturalism
• Christian missions and culture
• Christian mission and anthropology

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