Culture, Morally Neutral?
I found the following quote saved in an old document file on my computer. I'm not sure of the original source, but it's thought-provoking, to say the least:
You constantly read this: 'Culture is neutral- morally neutral. So if culture changes, we can adopt it. We can do what we please.' Well, wherever do you find in the Bible that culture is morally neutral? Nowhere it's in the Bible text- it isn't in the Bible at all. The Bible says the opposite; it says there is a great world system, 'the system of this world,' which is under the sway and the rule of Satan. Culture of this world is often demonic- it's written in the vaults of Hell, it's wrong, it's antagonistic to Christian thinking and the standards of the Word of God. But no, they say, 'culture is neutral.' So whatever cultural form comes about, even if it's invented in the entertainment business by people who did it while on drugs and who are emphasizing rebellion against God and just about everybody, and sexual liberty, that's a culture which is morally neutral. And we should do the same. This is what people want, this is what the young wants, this is what the worldly wants.
Labels: Christian worldview
posted by Andrew Lindsey | 7:20 AM
2 Comments:
So then, while agreeing that culture is created by man and man is sinful (thus culture is bent towards sinfulness), would we not also say that there is a kingdom of common grace? That God has not only held back the sin of man in many ways but has actually setup culture as a means for doing so? The civil authority is actually a cultural creation, and it serves as a minister of God restraining evil. So while culture may not be neutral, it certainly isn't thoroughly debased and wicked either.
Nate:
I'm glad you commented. That's an excellent counter-point. I think the main takeaway has to be that we cannot uncritically adopt cultural elements, especially into our worship.
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