”CULTURAL PRIDE vs CULTURAL APPRECIATION”

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"Cultural Pride vs. Cultural Appreciation?"  

By: Pastor Walter L. Smith III (WS-3) 

{Originally Published © August 21, 2007}

All you intellectual "microwave thinker"s are absolutely going to despise this blog (Lol)…But, all you "slow-roasting" critical thinkers (Smile),  are going "to send me glowing comments and overwhelming financial support", until "I have to tell you, to stop being so generous to the ministry". AMEN! (in Jesus' name; Lol)

Pure In Heart Int'l Ministries, Inc. is an Apostolic & Prophetic Marketplace Ministry and Mobile-Church Community that focuses on ministering to every level of the dominant culture (nationally and internationally), and church leadership that influences the searching world, complacent Christians, and the Remnant of Christ's Followers, in fully comprehending: God's Original Intention, The Kingdom Contention, The Demonic Seduction, The Believer's Conviction, and The Cultural Dimension - from a "biblical perspective"; while helping to strengthen the universal church's relevance in the earth - through dynamic music, innovative multi-media communications, and powerfully-packaged Christo-centric messages, concerning God's Great Plan For the Ages.

In understanding my thought process around "Redeeming the Culture", an explanation on The Cultural Dimension is necessary:

The Cultural Dimension represents the general landscape of society, where both dominant-culture and sub-cultures have formed throughout every age and dispensation of human history; including the renaissance period, during world wars, or in times of societal upheaval or uncertainty. "Ancient evils", "family traditions", and "religious dogmas" are born out of these long-standing periods - where the formation of predominant cycles, systems and strongholds take root.

Culture consists of art, beliefs, customs, institutions, language, literature (endless bodies of knowledge), music, and science, which influences every person on earth, no matter what kindred, tribe or tongue they belong too.  

As the enemy uses the “fallen” world system’s - attitudes, appetites, appearances, and adherences towards conformity and peer pressure in the world, to keep the “hook in the jaw” for continuing to seduce every confused, religious or searching person; God’s redemptive plan for One New Man in Christ, is being established throughout the earth; through every available, dependent, and surrendered vessel(s) that will undergo development through discipleship and suffering for righteousness sake. 

Satan’s Scheme in The Cultural Dimension is:  "To distract humanity from assuming the position in life that would rightfully align their lives with God through Christ, and negatively impact the most people for eternity, as they relinquish their lives for HIS use.

We, as Christians, cannot be reduced to name calling in our “so-called” defense of the faith, as Christ’s representatives in a culture that tries to dictate our values and our pursuits.  It’s amazing, as we actually do share our faith, and proclaim truth from God’s word –we are often accused of trying to impute our values and beliefs onto others; as radical extremist and narrow fundamentalists.  The "religious culture" of our time desires to eliminate pain, seek pleasure and "create a god" that suits their particular fancy and changing beliefs; but it reeks of obstinate wills and blatant hostility "towards absolute truth". 

As never before, we must "speak the truth in love"; but nowadays, no one wants to experience persecution for being HIS mouthpiece.  Political correctness is rampant, and people’s hearts are consumed with the fear of what others think.  When we truly tap into absolute truth - found in the Word of God, we should be able to easily resist our fears, and people’s temptation to be heard, to be right, and to be socially acceptable.  An “inclusive”, and not an “exclusive” ministry, does NOT mean "open arms to heretical philosophies or new ideas"; it represents openness to the Holy Spirit's leading, and an abandoned love for the lost without hypocrisy, judgment or criticism involved. 

The "honor badge" of the religious is - "their own conduct, judgment or performance"; and it shuts-out the broken, depraved and destitute - who KNOW that their in darkness, but have no real means within their own hearts or anyone else's - to deliver, heal or rescue themselves!

I'm not sure if anyone remembers the intense period - for the church at large, when the past exposure and media frenzy concerning - Ted Haggard, the Bynum-Weeks escapade, and Paula & Randy White’s divorce, was all over national news around the same time; and it really served as one of the many signposts (too me) of the need for "true biblical Christianity" to rethink it’s approach to winning the world for Christ! 

Why? Don't Christians: make mistakes, go through hard times, and "fall into sin"; so, shouldn't we want the world too see that we're human too? Well, Yes.., and No!

Our "humanity" is without question, so demonstrating or proving "that" is mute; that's why, "the church is accused of being hypocrites; because, "we preach what we either don't live", or "we make ourselves the standard" in error! POINT TO CHRIST, only!

The goal, is not compromise of the "sacred message" (Gospel of the Kingdom), due to the aggravating questions of searching humanity that acts as the basis for much of the great fantasy and subtle delusion that's becoming more common - even amongst Christians; which tends to surface in the hearts of unsettled and searching souls that have succumbed to doctrines of demons and heretical ideas; without sincerely reverencing and walking with a proper fear of God!

You know, when I think about my particular ministry mandate, and the undying passion I have to "engage culture" – I often struggle with the feeling of absolute ineptness and insufficiency; due to my personal inadequacy to wrangle with such broad and gargantuan subjects, like Cultural Pride vs. Cultural Appreciation; but something inside me (God – The Holy Spirit) has burdened me to accept this monstrous challenge, in faith!

The difference between "cultural pride" and "cultural appreciation" is - the heart attitude and motivation towards others, and believing that we're somehow "better" than others for reasons associated with our differences (through rose-colored glasses).  There is a "pride" that represents a feeling of self-respect or self-worth, but the pride I’m speaking of - is unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem (personified as one of the deadly sins).  We all know it’s almost impossible to strike perfect balance, so we “human beings” tend to go to one extreme or the other.  

Appreciation on the other hand, does not just communicate admiration or favorable judgment toward someone or something, but suggests the idea of someone or something having increasing value.  This is the heart of God, and has always been His Original Intent.  The scripture already tells us, that in the last days, "people will be lovers of themselves, haters of what is good", and we should not expect others to appreciate the God-ordained diversity among us either.   

"Accepting one another" is critical to positively impacting and influencing others for the Kingdom of God – but, agreeing with or mixing ideas for the sake of acceptance and tolerance, is the beginning of the greatest deception to the gospel message.

Because of this "resurrected" movement (it's NOT new) towards "universalism and inclusion", I believe that one of the hot-topics of the 21^st Century will be acculturation – meaning a mix of all the knowledge and values shared by society; for both a higher God-ordained purpose, and for a counter-purpose, as a part of the demonic seduction that will sweep the masses of indifferent, unconscious and delusional souls, who have minimized “truth” within the present context of historical analysis, empirical evidence and human history - with a deadly and poisonous mixture and mire of hedonism, human philosophy and secularism.  

Included in this "move towards relevance without relationship" (with Christ) are philosophies like: progressivism, post-modernism, dominionism, replacement theology, and many other conglomerations of culturally acceptable doctrines and theories, which chases the endless "tree of the knowledge or good and evil" - exploring the sea of fruitless lies, imaginations and delusions of the soul!

I know that my definition of “truth” may shake up a few devoted Christians that think I’ve gone new age or something, but our faith (that of Bible-believing persons) has as much, verifiable evidence and scientific basis as any other legitimate - person, place or thing that we generally celebrate, without debate!

The God-Ordained Purpose hidden within God’s Original Intention, as we define it, characterizes HIS plan for the ages and the climax of human history, along with humanity’s temporal experiences in this material world; as HE gathers all things, unto Himself - in Christ.  

Christ being such a controversial figure and subject, inciting great theological and philosophical debate, obviously creates an unalterable divide in the hearts of humanity for or against truth, and arouses the cultural posturing and turf-battles for supremacy of relevant ideas and intellectual superiority; which opposes the willing embrace and open-arms of the majority towards the gift of God - in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Now, I know all my brothers and sisters, who are more educated, endowed and cultured than I, may see these comments above as arrogant, narrow and ignorant, because “I did take into consideration, other cultural influences, religions and ideals that conflict with a biblical worldview and perception.”

On the latter point, I agree that the Bible – representing both the Old and New Testaments, does provide a more specific and determined viewpoint (moral absolutes and narrowness), which I embrace and agree with wholeheartedly.  But, my comment is actually spoken in light of my study of more than (50) of the major religions and faiths; which represents the density or human majority in this century - of available belief comparative charts and credible information about these specific systems of thought and ontological bents.

In my narrow observations (smile), I’ve noticed that within the context of every religious faith or system of thought, certain elements are all inclusive - and common characteristics that really simplify the philosophically challenging attempt we make to explain our beliefs, and question, argue or embrace others’ beliefs as our own; like the Religion Facts “Big Religion Chart”.  

Some of those elements include: the basic belief system or sectarian thought process; the origins and history of the religion; the focus and pursuits of the adherents or representatives of the religion; the basic viewpoints on God or the entity/person of His like or sort; the thoughts on the human situation, life’s purpose and the afterlife – which includes “Is there a heaven or hell”; and the general practices of the religion – that may include active proselytizing, meditation, human sacrifice, or prayer.

Whew!  That was the easy part!  Now, what is more difficult is building the bridge between these religious persuasions while impacting culture, by helping humanity’s seekers of truth to see “Why God did this to us in the first place?” 

Well, first let’s agree that the influence of mankind’s volition (free-will) has both broadened and complicated the idea of “religion” through subjecting the masses to often twisted oppression, monetary greed and the superiority-complex – as seen in religious wars, human slavery and the Holocaust, to name a few of the human tragedies of mixed-up men, who perverted and distorted the good in some these religions for self-gain, self-realization, or self-fulfillment!  But, the real problem with the “good” in some of these religions is the enemy of God’s Original Intention.

I am actually setting the stage for a question here, so I will both ask and answer it, from my understanding of scripture.  

What is God’s Original Intention, anyway? 

God’s Original Intention is not only the specific commandments given to Adam as outlined in the Old Testament book of Genesis, concerning the stewardship of the earth; but more importantly, the understanding of His (God’s) endowment or blessing placed upon and given to mankind to be fruitful, multiply, replenish, subdue and have dominion over the earth’s creation, which was NOT a command to rule over people.  In a sinless environment without death, disease, destruction and despair, where both man’s perception and intention was perfect obedience to the prescribed Laws of the Spirit of Life, which governed the earth at that time; mankind lived in peace and harmony without a fragmented spirit.  Once, Adam and Eve sinned in the garden, the disobedience was the source of the fragmentation of mankind, bringing awareness of spirit, soul and body that was once unitary and unbroken without lack, want or need.

I know it’s hard to wrap your mind around a human being not acting in dysfunction or being totally fulfilled, but this was both the reality of Eden and the state of human affairs during Adam’s day.

Well, how do you know that’s true?  There are two reasons I know that it’s true: the first being, my personal experience in relationship with Jesus Christ – He has made me “whole” when I was absolutely broken and fragmented; and, I have seen with my own eyes, others being made whole, who actually live, move and have their being in Christ.  I know you expected me to say, “For the Bible tells me so” – which I also believe wholeheartedly to be true!  But, without its evidence in my own life and others, it would seemingly be nothing but a fairy tale story.

It’s important to remember that our personal experiences are not the basis for the authority of God’s word.  Its infallibility and inerrancy is proven and authenticated only in our lives by faith, in application of the laws and principles, as revealed by the Holy Spirit – The Spirit of Truth.  The debate over whether the Bible is God-inspired is an old argument that has already been won by its prophetic accuracy, through scientific evidence, and through the unchecked historicity and archaeological proof in constant discovery, even to this very day.  Any “unbelief” or philosophical disagreement is neither a blow to its credibility or a positive mark for any opponent.  Unbelief is not just the lack of “faith” – it is the indifference and hostility toward verifiable truth and evidence! 

We all have seen with our own eyes that the corrupt religious system of this world, debates right and wrong by acting as an authority on matters of moral and spiritual judgment; desires membership and allegiance from its adherents and disciples for the purpose of fulfilling its specific mission; and depends upon human intelligence and righteous conduct to testify to its purported revelation and inspiration from God – even the Christian faith.

But, even amongst the assortment of faith traditions and whatever the religious ontology, the Christian faith is NOT dependent upon human performance.  “Good works” or “spiritual fruit” bore by the adherents to Christianity do not qualify them for heaven or hell, once they have received Christ by grace through faith; these works and fruit should act as the evidence of a genuine experience in relationship with Christ, but does not foster more love, security, acceptance, identity or favor from God.  These acts, for the Christian, are the determination of our judgment day before Christ, and the earthly and heavenly rewards in our eternal present and our eternal future.

As we mediate on this powerful truth, we can all discover that this relationship with Christ and the Christian faith transcends culture, while still building a bridge into culture for transformation and salvation; by meeting people where they are at their particular age and stage; and by relating spiritual truths that restore the breach in the human heart, with the saving grace of Christ, by faith in His finished work.

Culture is normally defined as a set of “learned” beliefs, values, behaviors or way of life shared by the members of a society.  These personal values, family traditions, cultural norms, common customs, arts, history, folklore, and institutions of a specific group of people, are frequently - but not always unified by race, ethnicity, language, nationality, or religion – and they share a commonality of focus and a commitment to a experiencing a certain quality or sanctity of life, which brings people together, in unity or in uniformity.  The only true source of unity is found in Christ.  Why?  From the Word of God we know that all spiritual truth and abundant life is summed up in Him (Christ).  Uniformity is possible through any religious system or philosophical persuasion, including atheism, agnosticism or Judaism, which all agree to a certain set of ideas, doctrines or creeds; but without an authentic unifying force that consecrates all its adherents to the same end, the agreement has no real eternal value.

We all have heard some of these absolutely ridiculous anthropocentric arguments about culture, as idiotic ramblings, like defining “blackness” and the other tired stereotypical escapes from finding the real commonness and similarity of our human experience, despite what side of the tracks we grew up on. Yes, there are distinct differences in our diversity.  But, the human journey, which includes life, death and time, is the same for everyone that enters the agency of time – despite the unique spiritual, environmental, educational, or experiential incidences or our own personal experiences.

In the midst of globalization in the marketplace, the proliferation of technology, and rapid information exchange, cultural competence issues relating to service delivery, education and healthcare is skyrocketing; representing the growing need to increase our cultural propensities (as Christians).  Now, as never before, increasing our ability “to become all things to all people” has never had such great importance and significance for successful communications exchanges, and having relevance in the diverse populations we serve.  We must become culturally sensitive and savvy, without cultural conformity!

When we normally think of the term “diversity”, the common definition and understanding relates to that of great variety and difference.  So, cultural diversity characterizes differences in race, ethnicity, language, nationality or religion – with the idea of acceptance and tolerance of our differences.  To “diversify”, like your own stock portfolio, means “to make diverse deliberately and intentionally”.  This is important for us to understand, and do in purpose and on purpose.

A cultural propensity towards something is represented by adherence to certain listening styles, decision-making patterns, teaching methods, and/or learning techniques.  So, cultural difference is not synonymous with cultural inferiority – but distinction! For most people on a three-dimensional plane, there is the tendency to view certain ethnic groups or cultures with limitations, rather than on the strengths of their uniqueness and their community.  This is why prejudice and bigotry is so foolish, because there are weaknesses in every culture, if you look long enough!

Here are just a few emerging definitions of cultural competence, with none accepted as the gold standard: “Cultural Competence is defined as a set of congruent behaviors, attitudes and policies that come together in a system, agency or among professionals, and permits that system, agency, or professionals to work effectively in cross-cultural situations.”  (Cross et al., Isaac & Benjamin, 1991) 

“Cultural Competence embodies the knowledge, attitudes, skills, and protocols that allow an individual or system to render services/training/education across cultural lines in an optimal manner.  Cultural Competence permits individuals to respond with respect and empathy to people of all cultures, classes, races, religions and ethnic backgrounds in a manner that recognizes, affirms and values the worth of individuals, families, and communities.” (F. Campbell, 1995)

The natural tendency for many cultures is to assume that their own values or customs are more sensible and right than others.  Obviously, this is because of the environmental, social, political, educational, spiritual, and mental vacuum that they live in, which has a direct and indirect impact on the perception we have of others.  This is why authentic Kingdom communication from the heart of God’s Original Intention, is so important!  

Kingdom Communication, from a biblical perspective, is the intimate-spiritual and mutual exchange or dialogue (through verbal and non-verbal means) of information or ideas that leads to a converging point (place of connection) where comprehension, illumination, revelation and understanding develop a conscious awareness of His voice and His ways; for the purpose of fostering practical wisdom, sound judgment and discretion in our thoughts, words and deeds.

When true Kingdom Communication or connection occurs in our society, the Kingdom Culture will be born, and then permeate and saturate the environment, as the Father originally intended, through yielded vessels dominated by the Holy Spirit’s influence - to the degree we choose to be “led by the Spirit”.

So, “Why God did this to us in the first place?”  He didn’t – we did!

God’s Original Intention was to perpetuate through Adam’s obedience, the Kingdom Culture that shaped our world (the systems), our families (His creation) and our future (eternity).

What we see rampant throughout the world is a multiplicity of sub-cultures or subdivisions of Kingdom Culture.  The “sub” represents that which is under or below His original intent – meaning less valuable and less purposeful, perverted and poisoned!  Sub-Culture is normally defined as a subdivision of a dominant culture or an enclave within it, with a distinct integrated network of behavior, beliefs and attitudes.

So, you may ask?  Why would God be concerned about us fitting in with the culture at large?  Because these subcultures help to create and foster injustice, inequality and indifference within the masses of humanity, and can never really unify, but only experience uniformity, or a false sense of community.

This is the primary reason, even within the ranks of the Christian faith, that the sphere of profession or agreement on biblical doctrine, styles of worship, or eschatological viewpoints is only uniformity!  When we are truly in Christ, he alone builds the bridge of unity, in spite of our diverse operations and administrations; our diverse worship services and teaching styles; our diverse ideas on pre-tribulation or mid-tribulation eschatology.  The essential doctrines of the Christian faith are the place of agreement that’s most important, and once those have been fully embraced – the rest is an organizational, recreational or personal doctrine that we must allow the Holy Spirit to deal with us about, personally!

Finally, there is another interesting truth and scientific fact that I’ve discovered as I researched and prayed about writing this article – it is called cell culture. 

Cell Culture has quite an insightful meaning that I believe will help us to grasp the mind of God, and His glorious plans for the ages concerning the multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-lingual body represented in Revelations 5 – in which all will be consummated in Christ.  

Growing “living cells” in a laboratory environment, began years ago and was used to test for the cause of infection or to examine characteristics of cells taken from a human being or animal.  

Now, Walter, where are you going with this one?  Wait just a minute…you will see!

Growing these living cells is a scientific process in which a sample of fluid or tissue is taken from the human being or animal, and is placed within a special media that allows the bacteria, virus, etc., to grow (or reproduce) in the laboratory.  As we all know, stem cells have the capacity to replicate themselves into cells with similar properties in order to maintain a pool of precursor cells. Adult stem cells, also called tissue stem cells, are found in differentiated tissues in which, in a controlled manner, they differentiate and/or divide to produce all the specialized cell types of the tissue from which they originate. Adult stem cells are often multi-potent, capable of producing several, but limited numbers of cell types.  Embryonic stem cells derived from a human embryo that has the ability to become any cell of the organism.

Obviously, anyone paying attention to the current debates understands the sanctity of life dilemma, and the spiritual dilemma concerning embryonic stem cells.

Let’s wrap this up, and consider a few things:  Generally speaking, the Christian community has no problems with adult stem cell research because it does not violate the sanctity of human life.  The spiritual truth and value that I would like you to derive from this example is based upon our discussion in this article concerning subcultures and kingdom culture, and that is:  

The earth is God’s laboratory, and humanity is the cell culture or living cell of creation. 

Though each culture represents a diverse group of people, by ethnicity, language, socio-economic status, political affiliation, belief systems, values, and religious philosophies; as long as God’s Original Intention is the priority for every human being, the living cells (humanity) will properly reproduce in the earth.  

When we attempt to conform to whatever cultural preference we value or esteem higher than kingdom culture, we pervert His purpose and compromise the life He intended for every human being to have in abundance, to the full till it overflows!