To the weak I
became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by
all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel,
that I may share in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:22-23 (NIV)
Suanne
and I have been reading “In the Land of Blue Burkas” by Kate McCord. In this
book, Kate describes her life as a foreign woman in Afghanistan. As a believer
in Christ and a non-Muslim, she stood in stark contrast to her neighbors and
the people she was working with. She quickly recognized that there were “rules”
for how a person, especially a woman, was to conduct themselves in public. She
chose to respect the “rules” without assimilating the cultural baggage that
went along with the rules. She was able, at times, to tactfully challenge the
rules from her perspective as a Christian and a foreigner. This was, at times,
both accepted and rejected. She constantly had to walk a fine line between
offending her Afghan friends and neighbors and being true to her Christian
convictions. I have been challenged by her courage to live counter-culturally
in a hostile environment.
As a
follower of Jesus, I find myself more and more living in a hostile environment;
an environment that no longer respects my faith. I have read much about the
culture wars as depicted in evangelical circles. I understand the need to stand
up for the truth and to defend the Gospel. Yet, sadly, the outcome has often
been a greater divide. As a nation, we have become more and more polarized.
Instead of being a positive voice guiding our culture, the church is viewed as
a negative voice that must be silenced. We in the church have been told that
the culture wars are over, and we lost. What I have read in “In the Land of
Blue Burkas” has given me hope that maybe that is not the case. Maybe, we just need
to rethink the way we are approaching the culture around us.
The
Apostle Paul lived in a hostile environment. The early church was opposed by
both the Jews and the Romans. Christians lived on the margins of society with
no political or economic power. Yet, they changed their world for the better by
living godly, counter-cultural lives.
If anyone
understood the culture wars it was Paul. He had played the game from both
sides. As Paul looked for ways to advance the Gospel, he chose what we might
call the middle path. He adapted his behavior to the culture he was in up to a
point. He adjusted to some outward characteristics of the culture in order to
gain access and the right to speak truth into the culture. At no time did he
compromise the Gospel or down play sin. Yet he was willing to adapt in
appropriate ways in order to get close enough to people to speak into their
lives. Look at how he describes his strategy in 1 Corinthians.
Though I am free
and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as
possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the
law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so
as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one
not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's
law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win
the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I
might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in
its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (NIV)
If I
may read between the lines, I think Paul is saying that he showed respect for
the customs and culture of other people in order that he may have a positive
influence in their lives. His goal was not to change the culture, but to win as
many people as possible to Jesus. He knew that the only way a culture is
changed is by people changing at a fundamental level. Indeed, once a person had
crossed the line of faith, Paul instructed them on what it means to live as a
follower of Jesus; what it is to live in a new culture.
As a prisoner for
the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have
received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another
in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of
peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3 (NIV)
But
Paul did not expect non-believers to live as believers. He did not insist that
they conform to his culture before they had come to faith in Jesus. He never
condoned sinful activities, but he understood that non-believers are in slavery
to sin. His mission was to set them free.
Because
Christianity has been, up to recently, the dominant religious context in
America, which set the moral standards for the entire culture, we have expected
everyone, believers and non-believers alike, to live as followers of Christ.
That ship has sailed. The vestiges of a “Christian Culture” in America have
faded into ancient history. More and more we are heading back into the world of
Paul and the early church. In our pluralistic society, Christianity is only one
of many options to choose from. We can choose to take the militant approach,
such is the case in Islamic countries, and try to force everyone to conform to
our way of life. Or, we can take the path that Paul took and work to change the
culture from the inside out, one life at a time.
Jesus
has called us to be light in a dark world. Like a city on a hill, we are to draw
people to Jesus. Like a lighthouse or a street lamp, we are to light the way
for others. We are to live the kind of lives that are attractive and inviting
to those around us. We are not commissioned to judge others, but to invite them
into a better way. Jesus calls us to live truly counter-cultural lives.
"You have
heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell
you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be
sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the
good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV)
Paul
fleshed out what Jesus was teaching in his letter to the Romans.
Do not repay
anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If
it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do
not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is
written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the
contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him
something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his
head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)
The way
we conduct ourselves in our world matters. We can either build walls that
separate us from the people around us or we can build bridges to those people.
We can choose to fight the prevailing culture with angry words and actions, or
we can transform the culture through loving words and actions.
Be wise in the way
you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your
conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know
how to answer everyone.
Colossians 4:5-6 (NIV)
Live such good
lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may
see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
1 Peter 2:12 (NIV)
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