Lessons Learned Part II
Yesterday, I shared some of my observations that I've drawn over the last three months as I've been reading and reflection on the meaning of culture. I focused there mainly on how we as Christians should think about culture -- what is it, and how we ought to view view culture as faith-neutral, but fallen. Today, I want to summarize what we ought to do about that. If culture is our shared story of meaning, what role might a Christian have in the public realm? If culture is faith-neutral, but fallen, how can Christians play a meaningful role in telling and shaping this story?
Christians Should Think in Terms of Influence Rather Than Transformation: After describing four possible options for the relationship between Christ (read "Christians") and culture, Richard Niebuhr moved on to his fifth option, "Christ Transforming culture." Although he himself did not formally tie himself to any one approach, most readers agree that this was his preferred option. Carson is rightly much more nuanced about these categories (in a nutshell, Carson argues -- rightly, in my opinion -- that Niebuhr's approach is far too cut-and-dry, while real life is more complicated). Christians have often taken Niebuhr's approach, serving as Christians in various realms of society with the goal of transforming that particular realm in a Christian direction. I wonder if that is overshooting -- not to underestimate the power of the gospel, but perhaps this is to oversell the Christian mission. The primary way that culture will change is as hearts are reconciled to God, through Jesus. So, our primary task is to be a witness to Jesus (regrettably, I did not write much about this, as for now, it was beyond the scope of what I set out to read and write about). More broadly speaking, however, the greatest opportunity we have as Christians in this world is in the way we live in daily life. It unfolds in the interactions we have with the barista or our banker. It's the impact we practice good neighboring -- as my colleague Rick has demonstrated at his coffee shop in Lacombe, Alberta. But here's where we ought to be careful not to "oversell" our task. Echoing Niebuhr, Christians talk about transforming culture and to transform something is to take the essence of something and make it into something different. So if we talk about transforming culture, we are adopting an approach that tries to somehow change the fabric of our cultural story into a universally Christian story. I'm not sure that's something we are capable of doing. To influence, on the other hand, is to be present in such a way that I have the power to direct someone or something in a particular direction. Andy Crouch rightly points out that Christians (and, in fact, all people) should use their power to serve others -- to become weak. In this way, Christians use whatever influence they have for good, even being willing to suffer and share the pain and burden of those whom I am serving.
have in volunteering in the community or working through our job (more on that below). It's how we
Christians may re-cast the purpose of work: For many of us, we spend most of our waking time in the working world. We build houses, and perform surgery. We raise children, we collect trash, and we fly airplanes. We fight fires, and craft legislation. Since we spend such a large percentage of our time in work, we ought to think strategically and intentionally about how we might use the influence we artist exerts influence when she paints -- not just by painting scenes from the bible -- but by painting something of beauty because God himself is a God of beauty. A Christian author and illustrator exerts influence by telling a good story well. A Christian pilot can have influence through his passion for safety that is about more than simply following procedure. And, these were just a few examples I
witnessed this summer; the list could go on. Christian in politics exerts influence when he is a voice at the table for values consistent with a biblical worldview, even if that voice is largely ignored (an increasing reality in our world). A Christian in business is an influence when they work for profit, but not at the expense of justice. As Christians, we are called to think through this for our own daily vocation: "How can I influence my field with the presence of Christ?" This involves everything from conducting one's work with integrity, to doing your work to the best of your abilities, or to finding ways of using your power to serve the underserved.We ought to see our work -- paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, whether we are retired and volunteering in our community or whether we are a student pursuing a degree -- as a means by which we exercise influence in our world.
have in our vocation as a way to live out our identity as God's people in this world. While Christians certainly should be passionate in calling others to follow Christ, this is not the only way in which we have an influence in our world. A Christian
Christians Shouldn't Underestimate The Presence of Beauty: I'm partial to this theme, as it dawned on me in unexpected ways this summer. The place of beauty in contemporary life is often minimized by Christians -- just ask any artist how they are viewed by the church today. Art is often viewed with suspicion or indifference -- but in fact, Christians should be passionate about the arts! After all, to be made in the image of God also carries with it the idea that we are patterned after the great artist. Music, visual arts, even story telling in its various forms is all derived from God who creates with an endless palette of colors, composes with an infinite number of musical notes, and reveals himself to us by way of the greatest narrative ever. Our support of the arts can and should be seen as a support of something sacred, something that can help us experience something of God himself. There is one book I didn't quite get around to reading while on sabbatical:"75 Masterpieces Every Christian Must Know" . Each chapter outlines an artistic work worth knowing about --whether a symphony, a novel, a painting, or a movie. I plan to read each chapter, a week while learning about the masterpiece featured. I may blog about what I learn here as well. The point is to gain a deeper appreciation and admiration for the work of great artists.
So that's it -- in a nutshell! Or at least, a quick summary of what's been going through my mind lately. The good news is, for me, the learning is just beginning. I intend to continue exploring these themes of faith and culture in this space in the coming months. Thanks for coming along!
Christians Should Think in Terms of Influence Rather Than Transformation: After describing four possible options for the relationship between Christ (read "Christians") and culture, Richard Niebuhr moved on to his fifth option, "Christ Transforming culture." Although he himself did not formally tie himself to any one approach, most readers agree that this was his preferred option. Carson is rightly much more nuanced about these categories (in a nutshell, Carson argues -- rightly, in my opinion -- that Niebuhr's approach is far too cut-and-dry, while real life is more complicated). Christians have often taken Niebuhr's approach, serving as Christians in various realms of society with the goal of transforming that particular realm in a Christian direction. I wonder if that is overshooting -- not to underestimate the power of the gospel, but perhaps this is to oversell the Christian mission. The primary way that culture will change is as hearts are reconciled to God, through Jesus. So, our primary task is to be a witness to Jesus (regrettably, I did not write much about this, as for now, it was beyond the scope of what I set out to read and write about). More broadly speaking, however, the greatest opportunity we have as Christians in this world is in the way we live in daily life. It unfolds in the interactions we have with the barista or our banker. It's the impact we practice good neighboring -- as my colleague Rick has demonstrated at his coffee shop in Lacombe, Alberta. But here's where we ought to be careful not to "oversell" our task. Echoing Niebuhr, Christians talk about transforming culture and to transform something is to take the essence of something and make it into something different. So if we talk about transforming culture, we are adopting an approach that tries to somehow change the fabric of our cultural story into a universally Christian story. I'm not sure that's something we are capable of doing. To influence, on the other hand, is to be present in such a way that I have the power to direct someone or something in a particular direction. Andy Crouch rightly points out that Christians (and, in fact, all people) should use their power to serve others -- to become weak. In this way, Christians use whatever influence they have for good, even being willing to suffer and share the pain and burden of those whom I am serving.
have in volunteering in the community or working through our job (more on that below). It's how we
Christians may re-cast the purpose of work: For many of us, we spend most of our waking time in the working world. We build houses, and perform surgery. We raise children, we collect trash, and we fly airplanes. We fight fires, and craft legislation. Since we spend such a large percentage of our time in work, we ought to think strategically and intentionally about how we might use the influence we artist exerts influence when she paints -- not just by painting scenes from the bible -- but by painting something of beauty because God himself is a God of beauty. A Christian author and illustrator exerts influence by telling a good story well. A Christian pilot can have influence through his passion for safety that is about more than simply following procedure. And, these were just a few examples I witnessed this summer; the list could go on. Christian in politics exerts influence when he is a voice at the table for values consistent with a biblical worldview, even if that voice is largely ignored (an increasing reality in our world). A Christian in business is an influence when they work for profit, but not at the expense of justice. As Christians, we are called to think through this for our own daily vocation: "How can I influence my field with the presence of Christ?" This involves everything from conducting one's work with integrity, to doing your work to the best of your abilities, or to finding ways of using your power to serve the underserved.We ought to see our work -- paid or unpaid, full-time or part-time, whether we are retired and volunteering in our community or whether we are a student pursuing a degree -- as a means by which we exercise influence in our world.
have in our vocation as a way to live out our identity as God's people in this world. While Christians certainly should be passionate in calling others to follow Christ, this is not the only way in which we have an influence in our world. A Christian
Christians Shouldn't Underestimate The Presence of Beauty: I'm partial to this theme, as it dawned on me in unexpected ways this summer. The place of beauty in contemporary life is often minimized by Christians -- just ask any artist how they are viewed by the church today. Art is often viewed with suspicion or indifference -- but in fact, Christians should be passionate about the arts! After all, to be made in the image of God also carries with it the idea that we are patterned after the great artist. Music, visual arts, even story telling in its various forms is all derived from God who creates with an endless palette of colors, composes with an infinite number of musical notes, and reveals himself to us by way of the greatest narrative ever. Our support of the arts can and should be seen as a support of something sacred, something that can help us experience something of God himself. There is one book I didn't quite get around to reading while on sabbatical:"75 Masterpieces Every Christian Must Know" . Each chapter outlines an artistic work worth knowing about --whether a symphony, a novel, a painting, or a movie. I plan to read each chapter, a week while learning about the masterpiece featured. I may blog about what I learn here as well. The point is to gain a deeper appreciation and admiration for the work of great artists.So that's it -- in a nutshell! Or at least, a quick summary of what's been going through my mind lately. The good news is, for me, the learning is just beginning. I intend to continue exploring these themes of faith and culture in this space in the coming months. Thanks for coming along!
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