In 1951 Richard Niebuhr published Christ and Culture, a book that has influenced theological conversations for generations now. You can read a brief summary and critique here and here. Though I don’t plan to address his specific categories of the ways Christians tend to relate to the culture, he does provide food for thought.
Every time an election rolls around, I wonder what Christian voters are expecting to receive from their preferred candidates. All too often, it seems like many are thinking “If my guy gets elected he’ll finally fix all our problems.” They probably know that they can’t pin all their hopes on a politician, but you’d never know that from the rhetoric swirling around on social media. At times like this, I find myself leaning more toward a “Christ against culture” framework, and wishing I could withdraw from the mess altogether. At the very least, I see the tension between Christ and culture.
There are several things we ought to keep in mind regardless of what country we live in, what political party we support, or what church we belong to.
1) Scripture never promises us a comfortable or supportive culture. Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword… And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household” (Matthew 10:34, 36 ESV). If we never find ourselves at odds with our culture, chances are good we’re placing our faith somewhere other than in Christ.
2) We are not awaiting a reformation of this sin-broken world, but a redemption from it. “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). The whole creation will continue to struggle and groan as we wait for that day (see Romans 8:22-25).
3) The end of time will not come as a gradual, peaceful transition from this world to the next. “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains” (Matt. 24:7-8). We should not be surprised when conflict comes even within our own nation. No human institution can bring about the utopia we desire.
4) Our allegiance is first and foremost to God. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). He is not only our Savior and Lord who has all authority over us, but He should also be the One we most glorify and praise with our words and deeds— “to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen” (Jude 25).
5) We are called to love one another even when we disagree. “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another” (Galatians 5:13-15). People may be able to tell your political party by your posts, but can they tell you are Christian by your love (John 13:35)?
If, like me, you are tired of sin, disease, disasters, strife, and turmoil, remember that our ultimate hope is in the God who created this world and sent His Son as a redeeming sacrifice. Let the brokenness of this life drive you to His Word and prayer. Find encouragement in His promises, and look for ways in which the Body of Christ is united and working together for His Kingdom.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world… For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever” (1 John 2:15-17).
© 2020 Dawn Rutan. Image copyright free from pixabay.com. The opinions stated do not necessarily reflect the views of my church or employer.
