Gentle Reader,
It is logical that when a synthetic answer has been given to the problem of Christ and culture, those who accept it should become more concerned about the defense of the culture synthesized than about the gospel itself.
– H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture, 146
Christ and Culture is a collection of reworked lectures first presented by Niebuhr in January 1949 at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary. Niebuhr proposes that Christians approach what he calls the “problem” of Christ and culture – the question of how do Christ and culture relate to and/or interact with each other – from five possible positions: Christ against culture (culture sucks always), Christ of culture (culture is cool always), Christ above culture (sometimes culture sucks and sometimes culture is good), Christ and culture in paradox (we really can’t solve this problem), and Christ the transformer of culture (Jesus is going to do something with this mess of ours). Within each position is nuance, and there is overlap among all of them. What matters for you right now, dear reader, since you are not facing a comprehensive exam on this and other texts in two years, is to know that first, you should read this book because it’s good, and second, you’ll find yourself agreeing and disagreeing with elements of each position.
The opening quote comes from the chapter that begins the discussion of Christ above culture. Christ is Lord, and therefore at the center. The Lord made all things, and so, though the creation is broken, something in creation remains good, because the Lord is good. So when we look at culture, we do so knowing that God created the people who created the culture, and so there is something good and right in that. This is a “both-and” situation. Creation is good and creation is broken. Culture is good and culture is bad. Christ is Lord and not all acknowledge that.
Fair enough. I think we can see some sense in this. But, as Niebuhr points out, trouble comes when the focus shifts from gospel to culture. When the two are so synthesized they become one.
Enter xenophobia.
I watched last week’s presidential debate. It proceeded about as I expected. What I did not expect, and what breaks my heart, is the chaos that has erupted in Springfield, Ohio. Schools received bomb threats because of claims made about Haitian immigrants. Incorrect and sensationalized claims. Claims that are absolutely rooted in xenophobia and racism.
I know someone is going to say, “So-and-so Haitian immigrant committed a crime!” And? All kinds of people commit crimes. Should we deem each person who has done the worst thing as the representative of their nation, society, or race? Because if so, dang, white people are in trouble.
Some want to “defend” an American way of life. I don’t know what that is. Nobody knows what that is, because everyone defines that “way” differently. And some of us embark on this “defense” because we think that we’re defending God in the process. (God needs no defending, just so we’re clear). Here’s the thing. God doesn’t belong to Americans, and American culture, whatever it is, is not more holy or blessed by God than any other culture. Jesus doesn’t love us more than he loves others. We aren’t pleasing God when we fear and hate people who don’t look like us or who speak with different accents. (And my word, we ought to admire folks who speak with accents, because they have mastered or are working to master multiple languages. That takes a lot of effort). We don’t express God’s love when we “defend” this patch of dirt – yes, the country we live in is a patch of dirt, just like any other – and scream for immigrants to be sent back to where they originated because…reasons, I guess.
There is space for discussion of national policies on immigration. That’s something that the citizens of every country and their governments have to wrestle with. (If we’re honest, our leaders refuse to do so for the most part because they benefit from the current state of affairs). But we cannot and must not forget that there are actual people involved. We aren’t talking in abstracts. There are real, flesh-and-blood, image-of-God-bearing folks who have suffered, and continue to suffer. Bigotry is not the Christlike response. Never.
I posted this on Facebook the other evening:
Jesus loves the little children.
All the children of the world.
Red, brown, yellow, black, and white –
They are precious in his sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.Instead of hate and fear, we can choose to ask God to give us eyes to see all people as God sees them. Beloved. Valuable. Equal.
Anything less isn’t Christlike.
And Christlike is what Christians are to be.
So, Christian reader, by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit within and all around you, are you becoming more Christlike? The media you consume, the talking heads you listen to, the politicians upon whom you pin your hopes – is this leading you toward Christ? Is thinking that all Haitian immigrants are ____, or all Mexican immigrants are ____, or insert an example here, is that how Christ thinks about these people and issues?
And if I might take it just one step further, do you find yourself thinking that you are a better person or more beloved of God because you sunburn more easily than others? No, to answer an objection in advance, nobody has to feel bad because they’re white. You have no control over that. Just like nobody else has any control over the color of their skin, or where they were born, or what corruptions, chaos, and violence lead them to seek a better life elsewhere. (Though better is certainly a relative term). What you do have control over is thinking that you are better than others because of these factors over which you have zero control. You aren’t. I’m not.
This isn’t a Democrat vs. Republican issue. You can be a Christian and agree with the positions and approaches of many political philosophies, or none at all. What this is, is an issue of faithfulness to the God who saves and transforms us. Hate isn’t Christlike. Hate is a negative aspect of our culture that must be rejected, and loudly and soundly. We cannot synthesize hate with the Gospel. We have to stop listening to those who tell us that we can. We have to listen to God’s voice as revealed in Scripture in harmonious concert with the Spirit.
If we refuse to do that, if we keep allowing ourselves to be baited into ongoing bigotry instead of surrendering all of ourselves to God and allowing God to replace our hearts of stone with hearts that beat in tune with God’s own, then I think we have to ask ourselves this: are we really Christians? Or are we just pretending?
GRACE AND PEACE ALONG THE WAY,
MARIE
Image Courtesy of Rod Long