The chapter for this week addresses the topic of how cultural relativism relates to our biblical worldview. On page 53, the author asks, “Is there any place for a concept such as cultural relativity in a Christian world view?” This is a good question and one I have asked myself many times over. How does something that I was taught as “Truth” and coming from (supported by) the Word of God change over time? Let me give you an example. Growing up in the 60’s & 70’s, there were many cultural practices that I was forbidden to participate in because I was told it was “against my religion.” First of all, that is a terrible phrase and I hope we never use it these days. Nevertheless, I was told there were things Christians should not do because the Bible taught against it and now these same things are acceptable and not frowned upon. Let me give you a few examples: because my parents believed dancing was wrong, I was not permitted to participate in the gym classes where we did a section on square dancing each year. I had to bring a signed statement from my parents, also signed by my pastor, which said that this practice was not acceptable and I should be excused from this. So for 6 weeks each year, while the rest of my classmates square-danced, I sat on the sidelines and watched. (It was not fun!). Other examples are playing cards (we were not allowed to use face cards), mixed bathing (boys and girls swimming together in a pool), or inter-racial dating. None of these issues was presented to me as preference but rather as biblical issues for which support for abstaining could be found in the Bible. Today, both my parents and myself have rejected the basis for biblically abstaining from these issues but back then we believed with our whole hearts that these things were wrong. We must be very careful to weed out the biblical absolutes from cultural preferences. So often we get caught up in making judgments about culture and basing them on biblical principles when, in reality, it is a cultural issue or even a sub-culture issue. The author of our book says, “It is important to remember that all cultures are relative, and this includes the cultures in which the Scriptures were given…We must look behind the cultural form recorded in Scripture to the divine, supracultural principle that will find its expression in a form compatible with the receiving culture.”
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34 responses so far ↓
michael schoonover // January 22, 2007 at 11:16 pm
i think it is easy for people (especially people in the United States) to get caught up in there own little world and not consider global issues and cultures. In the subject of cultural relativism in Christianity, it depends on the issue at hand; because as Christians there are certian things not to ignore. In a culture, sure as Christians we can look in a cultural relativism when it comes to the food that culture eats or family traditions. In contrast, Christians must not use cultural relativism when it comes to issues of clear morality(basically things or actions that are clearly defined int he Bible as Wrong).
Justine Ross // January 23, 2007 at 4:28 am
Just as you and your family had extreme rules in order to feel that you were staying within the guidelines given in the bible, i think Cedarville has some rules that are based on culture preferences as well. Like the rule against any dancing at all. The bible never says no to dance. If fact, David danced and praised the Lord. Though we do have “expressions of praise” I think sometimes they have trouble being able to truely dance because of the rules. I think it is a hard balance because in order to stand out, we feel as though we must not blend in and do things that the world does but at the same time, by standing out, many times we appear prideful and like we are better than others and that is not what Jesus wanted for us.
Kelsey Freed // January 23, 2007 at 11:43 pm
In our world, it is true that each people group participates in certain cultural practices that may not necessarily be looked favorably upon by others. Certain behavioral practices may be accepted by one people group but not by another. The fact that disagreement exists throughout the world regarding a particular practice, doesn’t mean that we just do what we believe is right and not be concerned with what others throughout the world decide to do. As Christians, God has clearly revealed what He believes is right and wrong to us through the Bible. I believe that we should examine each cultural practice in light of what the Bible says. If a particular practice is not forbidden in Scripture then there is no reason to necessarily abstain from it. However, if the Bible clearly states that something is wrong, as Christians, I believe we are not to participate in it or be supportive of others doing it as well-yet we should lovingly ineract with those who disagree with us.
Angela Horning // January 24, 2007 at 10:51 pm
I think some of the things that Christians have heard that they aren’t supposed to do (from other people) like dancing, or playing cards are things that can lead to sin. For example, playing cards can lead to gambling which is a sin. I’m not saying we shouldn’t do things because of the sin it could cause but I think in some cases things are “not allowed” because of what could happen if we get more lenient in our standards.
For example, the only movies we were allowed to see at home are rated PG because mom and dad doen’t want us to get “used to” seeing and hearing swearing, sexual scenes, and violence. According to mom and dad, the best way to not be tempted by the movies that have those “sinful” things in them is to not watch movies. This maybe extreme but I think they do have a valid point because the Bible says… “whatever is right, whatever is pure…think about such things.” It is hard to think about pure things when you are constantly exposing yourself to people sinning against man and against God.
Ruthie Plasterer // January 25, 2007 at 1:40 am
Attending a semi-conservative Mennonite high school, I can relate to the traditionalism you experienced. It was important for us as students to think outside of the rules and regulations they placed on us, and sort what was commanded by God and what was a result of years of traditionalism passed down from generations. I also understand your question of how something taught as “Truth” and supported by the bible can change over time. I have wondered this as well. The anabaptist people typically do not support the war or voting or pretty much anything supporting the government, for example, and they have verses to support this. They will fight this until they are blue in the face with supporting verses but I definitely do not agree and can debate the opposite view with verses as well. There is absolute truth, so who is right? I wish I knew.
Charissa Rowe // January 25, 2007 at 4:27 am
Sometimes, I think that I experienced an extra dose of the tension cultural relativism versus biblical absolutism because I am a pastor’s kid. For example, I was not allowed to go to dances at my school because some older people in my congregation still equate dancing with sin. Since pastor’s families have to be above reproach, I was not allowed to attend dances. I used to talk to my dad and try to justify dancing. I would point to places in Psalms and the Old Testament where the nation of Israel danced in praise to God. He quickly explained to me that dancing was different in their culture. In our culture, dancing is viewed as sensual. In their culture, dancing was an expression of joy and thanksgiving to God. So while my dad and I agree that dancing is not sin in and of itself, it can be sinful in certain contexts, styles, and cultures.
This chapter also reminded me of a missionary friend that I know. This friend grew up in Bangladesh, where it is common for women to pierce their noses. In Bangladesh, this practice is perfectly acceptable and normal. Eventually, her family moved back to the states permanently. When she got married, she wanted to pierce her nose, but her husband absolutely would not let her do it. In the 1970’s, a woman with a pierced nose was associated with promiscuous women or women with no morals (in fact, several people still look down upon body piercings). If she still lived in Bangladesh, her husband would not have given the nose piercing a second thought. However, in our culture, it would have been wrong to do so because it would have destroyed her testimony.
Kristen Doles // January 25, 2007 at 2:27 pm
There is no denying that many Christians (and non-Christians) base the morality of issues on the cultural context, whether or not it’s under the guise of “Biblically right/wrong.” It is extremely important that we don’t get caught up in legalism and forget to live by the gospel of grace. In addition, there are definitley issues that we have equated with the Bible that ceratinly are just cultural issues. When deciding whether or not a practice is right or wrong, our first thought should be, “what does the Bible have to say about this.” There are issues that the Bible doesn’t clearly define as right or wrong, and in those cases, how our culture presents and views them is a big factor in deciding whether or not to participate.
David Rele // January 26, 2007 at 12:30 am
I would say there is an easy solution to this problem. If we abstain from an activity becuase the activity is not Biblical, then we should find the Bible verse or verses that lead to the abstination.
David Reke // January 26, 2007 at 12:31 am
My name above is a typo, it should read Reke, not Rele
Daniel Cho // January 26, 2007 at 8:43 pm
The question is, to which degree should we allow the non-biblical(how can we exactly distinguish it?) worldview.
I once lived in Germany where churches were
very liberal. The pastor even said that the Bible is just a story of Jesus. And to them, living the life as Christian was more important than having specific faith which was a new experience to me.
I think we should know the Bible and seek the truth. That’s should be one way to distingush
us from the unbiblical worldview.
Amanda Beesley // January 27, 2007 at 2:52 am
In some cases, I think it would be hard for Christians to look at things that a different culture does with cultural relativism, because it goes against the Bible. I can understand what was said about things that are accepted today that were said to be biblically wrong before. When someone tells you something is biblically wrong, my pastor has always said that you need to find it in the Bible for yourself. I come from a very conservative Christian school, and there were a lot of things that they viewed as wrong, but mainly it was just a preference they had. The Bible has never changed over time; it was the people’s preferences that were changed over time.
Caleb Barton // January 27, 2007 at 4:14 pm
I believe that there is room for cultural relativism to a certain degree in the Christian faith. I believe that it was in the Ferrante book that said something along the lines that cultural relativism shouldn’t be the basis for no moral absolutes. I believe that yes we should try to look at cultures through the lense of that culture, but we should stick to the absolutes that we know in the Bible. To know these we must be faithfull in our study of the Word.
Katie McGee // January 27, 2007 at 6:10 pm
Cultural absolutism, as described in the book, does not seem to be an option at all because the Bible does not seem to ever support this idea. Paul says, in two different places, in 1 Corinthians, “Everything is permissible for me–but not everything is beneficial.” It seems like when our only ambition is to know God, He will develop in us HIS “worldview” by which we can make our decisions. We get really caught up in labeling everything and making lists of what is right and what is wrong, that we distract ourselves from the Person of Jesus Christ, and become prideful. And wouldn’t pride always make it more difficult to hold to cultural relativism based on biblical absolutism?
Sarah Bresson // January 27, 2007 at 6:27 pm
Going to a private school all my life has many rules that come with it such as dancing. It was hard having other people who did not go to a private school make fun of me for not being able to do certain things. I realized we all have a set of rules that need to be followed and it is for our own good. To a certian extent cultural relativism is important but not to where we can cross those lines we are not supposed to.
Emily Broersma // January 27, 2007 at 9:24 pm
I find it so interesting how different things are today compared to back when my mom was growing up. My grandpa is a pastor, so they too believed that playing cards was wrong, along with other things such as going to the movies. I can’t help but smile when I think about how some of our favorite things to do with my grandparents now includes playing a variety of card games. And on Christmas Day this year, we all went to a movie together.
I think it is so important that we actually have the scripture to back up our arguments for or against a certain aspect of our culture. Otherwise, we will end up with rediculous rules that have no true Biblical basis, such as playing cards or going to movies.
Randi Raimer // January 27, 2007 at 9:29 pm
There are many gray areas Christian lives such as dancing, piercings, or even drinking for some but I think that we to be aware of the absolutes in the Bible that create a clear picture of how we should live. Some may think one thing about dancing and one think the opposite but I think that what we need to concentrate on is whether or not we are going to cause another to stumble. There are some areas that may hinder others from seeing the love of Christ through us and may affect our testimony and I think that we need to be aware of that and make our decisions baced apon whether we may cause one to stumble or hinder others from coming to the Lord.
Jihoi Hwang // January 28, 2007 at 2:55 am
We are living in the cultural society. We are living in an environment that challenges us to continually evaluate what it means to live the Christian life. So how do we respond? The answer begins with the Bible. Our view of culture must include biblical insights.
God created human beings in such a way that they are culture-producing beings. God holds us responsible for cultural stewardship.
we should strive to contribute to it through God- given creativity, and transform it through dialogue.
In conclusion, because God created culture in the same way that God created human beings, I think that we must think about culture through basic of the God’s words.
Gena Bravick // January 28, 2007 at 8:02 pm
I can understand a bit of this tension after living in Spain for a year (last year). One example is the fact that most Evangelical Christians drink wine and beer, and several smoke. Smoking and drinking are closely associated with the culture of Southern Spain, and they think it’s very strange if you don’t drink. I never saw any Christian who was drunk during my time there. But most people in the culture look down on being drunk and don’t drink for that purpose.
Once, after church (in Spain), I was invited to stay for their “fellowship time” where they had pastries and coffee. I happened to look over and see on of the members drinking a beer. No one seemed to think anything of it, but if that happened in the U.S. it would be percieved much differently.
Overall, we need to be sensitive to the culture in which we live. Although the Bible doesn’t say we can’t drink wine or beer, it would probably not be acceptable to drink beer in the fellowship hall after Sunday morning service. If I were to do that, it would probably cause controversy in the church, and this issue is not one that is worth fighting over. I don’t think it is wise to say “well they do it in Spain so I can do it here” because the fact is, we’re not in Spain, we’re in the U.S..
Chris Travis // January 28, 2007 at 8:22 pm
“Is there any place for a concept such as Cultural Relativity in the Christian worldview?” In response to this question I looked to our class notes to see how we had defined cultural relativity. We said that it is “examining a culture by putting aside your beliefs of what is right and wrong.” I think that to completely put aside what we know to be right and wrong based on our Christian foundations and clearly examine the culture around us would be almost impossible. However, when it comes to attempting to live by seamingly nit picky or ridiculous rules that we try to find foundation for in scripture, such as swimming with the opposite sex, I feel that the only true outlit for compromise is to be considerate to those around you, being careful not to do something that would cause another to stumble.
Sarah Hamilton // January 28, 2007 at 10:21 pm
I believe that cultural relativism is a practice that we should strive to live out until the point where it conflicts with Biblical absolute truth. And I think that our idea of Biblical truth should come from our own Bible study rather than from what someone else, even a parent, tells us. Cultural Relativism is very important as we study other cultures. If we see other cultures through our own ethnocentric culutre, we may miss some of the beautiful truths that God has given. Yes, Biblical truth can be found in other cultures, even in parts of other religions! On the other hand, if we only judge other cultures by thier own context, then we may fall into acceptance of sinful ideas. So I believe that if cultural relativism is taken either way, it can be a very bad thing.
Brad Muschott // January 29, 2007 at 12:45 am
I’m sure we have all experienced when we were younger the times we wanted to do something but couldn’t because we were not allowed. For me, I remember not being allowed to watch Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles when i was little because my parents thought it was too “inappropriate” for me. Now that I’m older, though I don’t watch that show anymore, i’m sure my parents would have no problem with me watching it. As it relates to cultural relativism, I think about how what i am able to watch is now perfectly acceptable since I am older. Though my parents reasons were not entirely scripture based, I’m sure they were merely protecting me from any type of norm or pick up on certain language that they didn’t want to pick up on. I guess the biggest change is that I have matured and can handle things like a harmless tv show and even things more offensive. I know this isn’t the best example but I feel that it has something in common with the same situations like dancing and such, and i believe the answer is maturing in the word of God.
Caitlin Allen // January 29, 2007 at 12:51 am
Going to a Christian school since kindergarten, “cultural relativism” was always taught as a completely negative idea. So many times, though, we were taught that something was either right or wrong based upon an absolute of Christianity – without ever learning why. It is important to hold strong to absolute truth, but on the other hand, it is also important to make sure that the absolute “truth” in which we believe is biblically-based – before we condemn cultural relativism. At the same time, Christians must be careful to not fall into something that is biblically wrong simply because cultural relativism says it is okay.
Eric Smith // January 29, 2007 at 1:50 am
Assuming that cultural relativity is defined as looking at practices in another culture without basing our view on our own culture, I do not think that this is wrong. I think that when we make biblicaly sound decisions we are basing them on what we know to be truth. To people that are not Christians, this looks like ethnocentrism, but I think that we have not choice but to look at the Bible as true. Maybe this is ethnocentric, but I think the Bible should be our guide for moral issues.
Caitlin Hull // January 29, 2007 at 2:08 am
I think cultural relativism in Christianity depends on the issue at hand. Although my standard is generally to find straightforward, biblical support for something I believe is wrong, I realize that there are many issues that the Bible does not address directly. In these cases, I think the only thing left to do is to use our judgement or consult mature Christians on the matter.
As Angela mentioned, some of these activities that were mentioned, such as dancing, were probably considered to be wrong because they were recognized as having the potential to lead to sin. I think that today, when participating in something that is not sinful in and of itself, we simply need to make sure that our participation does not lead to sin.
Amanda Sutton // January 29, 2007 at 3:17 am
According to Mayer’s paradigm, cultural relativism and biblical absolutism together create mutual respect. There is no contradiction. It’s not a matter of going along with cultural relativism until it conflicts with biblical absolutism. Using the Scripture as absolute authority, one can always have a cultural relativism outlook, and at the same time can say that certain practices in a culture are wrong, because they are unscriptural.
An example of evaluating a cultural norm on the basis of both cultural relativism and biblical absolutism was given in the book (where naming practices differ between the USA and Kwakiutl Indians).
I believe, frankly, that some of the things Christians do that are cultural norms, would be considered wrong when evaluated this way. The music we listen to, the movies we watch, the clothes females wear…all of these things should be evaluated not on cultural relativism alone, but on the supracultural Scriptures.
Ryan Hyde // January 29, 2007 at 3:17 am
I agree with Caitlin and Angela and some of the others, if the issue is in the Bible and clearly adressed we should act appropriatley. If the issue is not adressed then we have to make sure that our involvement does not lead to sin. But involvement with others is crucial and can always lead to witenssing, we just have to be smart about it and choose the activities we paticipate in wisely.
Stacie Peden // January 29, 2007 at 3:36 am
When looking around us, you see thousands of people daily, never knowing their name or never seeing their face again, we immediately judge them and think that’s how I live or wow that’s not biblical at all. As Christians we look at them, not knowing their culture, lifestyle, or religion, so looking at our society how can you not fall into the world of cultural relativism? It’s very simple as Christians we should turn to God words and find what He says about today’s lifestyle, if God says that those choices are not right then that is how we should live. If we interact with it, I agree with other students that we should be that witness and show them the word of God. It’s our job to live a life for God and not to let our faith down and act in other ways not biblical correct.
Dani-Rae Morgan // January 29, 2007 at 5:08 am
Attending a really really really conservative High School, I also can somewhat relate to some of these issues. All of the same issues discussed are the same issues my highschool believes are biblically wrong. I believe some Christians make up thier own beliefs based on the fact that they believe that our world and our culture is wrong. I believe that a person needs to see for themselves what is right and wrong without the influence of others, by looking at the Bible for themselves and basing what they believe is right and wrong in our culture off of that.
Laura Cover // January 29, 2007 at 6:14 am
I believe that cultural relativity is a term that is not Biblical, but has been created by Christians for excusing different behaviors. I am not saying that this is always neccesarily a bad thing because things that were are acceptable now (such as girls wearing pants, mixed bathing etc.) would have been totally innacceptable one hundred years ago. This however has nothing to do with Christ, His will, or what He considers acceptable because His Scriptures have not changed in the least, over time. It is hard to define then what is truely acceptable for the society culture we live in because their ways are far from godly and we need to be set apart in many ways. What it all boils down to is a matter of heart, and our testimony to others. I believe that if we are in His word, The Lord will show us and convict us if we are doing something wrong, and this is the way we should determine the decisions we make and things we do, not what our culture tells us.
Samantha Coffill // January 29, 2007 at 6:33 am
It is so hard for Christians to except or try to concieve the though of “biblical relativism” today. In all reality, I think we all are associated with biblical relativism either unconsciously or consciously. There are so many things in our culture today that would be considered “inappropriate.” But the things we considered inappropriate many years ago, are now widely accepted. There are so many things in our christian lives that do not particually follow suit of the exact guidelines in the bible, but I think many of these things change with the years producing “biblical relativism.”
Ben Nesbitt // January 29, 2007 at 2:27 pm
And yet we still can’t dance on campus…Hmm?
Emily Santmyer // January 29, 2007 at 3:30 pm
We as christians i believe have many things that we think are against the “rules” of the bible. as you said about dancing, swimming with both sexes in the pool, and mixed marriages. Where do they come from? to me i think we need to see things through and find out where the bible says the things that, many christians see as ‘way wrong’. I think we need to obey our parents and authority, but at what point have we taken the things over board? when do we need to reconsider what is meant for our culture today?
Cassandra Dobutovich // January 29, 2007 at 8:04 pm
I agree completely with this statement of yours. That is something that I have thought about so much. It amazes me that even though we have one God and we have a relationship with Him, some “cultures,” I guess I could say, will live more legalistically than others. We have been saved by grace, and I know that not all Christians, even though they know this, live more by the rules of the Bible and tend to make up their own rules that they believe to be good standards for Christians and the Christian religion. Each Christian is accountable to God for his/her own actions and should know what is right and wrong and pleasing to God. We have to be so careful not to get caught up in making up our own rules for the “religion” of Christianity and separate ourselves from cultures. Christianity is a relationship.
Jordan Shumaker // January 29, 2007 at 9:47 pm
I feel like the one thing that many people miss when discussing cultural relativism and Christianity is that we all serve the same God, and in the Bible, most things are spelled out as right and wrong. I think that this is a great example of why we must study the Bible for ourselves and make our own decisions. Not saying that we should question everything the church tells us, but we should study the bible on our own and be able to judge for ourselves what God deems right and wrong, not take second hand information on such a serious subject.