incitation - something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action
The Gospel’s Incitation
of Culture
The different levels within a culture highlight that behavior
is not a shallow undertaking, but that behavior comes from deep places in the recesses
of the consciousness of a person impacted by history, tradition, and belief.
The interesting thing about the role of culture in Gospel communication is
found in the understanding that the Gospel does not seek to change behavior
alone but to change all levels of culture starting with the worldview. Karl Barth believed
that when the Kingdom of God comes, into the world, then everything in culture
will change.[1]
Each level of culture is subject to the change.
Incitation
of Belief
When
examining what the Gospel is there must be a consideration given to the
purposes of Christ and one of His purposes that impacts worldviews is Christ's claim to testify
to the truth (John 18:37). The idea that the Gospel of Jesus would speak to the
truth means that it will inflict a point of view on every belief that a
worldview could contain. A person must believe in Jesus Christ and His death and
resurrection not only as symbols but as real events to be a Christian. The
belief in this truth will eventually lead to the rejection of other untruths or
alternate worldviews. Christianity is not a religious sub-system but the
complete system.
Incitation
of Value
The
second level of culture, concerned with cultural values, is impacted in a Christian worldview. Cultures have differing value systems which can be religion, historical lineage, territorial borders or any number of entrenched thought processes. Jesus interjects cultural change through values
statements like “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last and the
servant of all” (Mark 9:35) which promotes service over self promotion. The values of the Gospel are often played out in
societal order such as caring for the less fortunate, but there are also symbolic rituals, including communion and baptism, that highlight values on topics like community, historical continuity and family. The value that the Gospel places on mankind,
servanthood, evangelism, and any subject to be questioned directs the
believer to behave in a certain way.
Incitation
of Behavior
The top level of Culture, which is the most visible level, is behavior
and the Bible especially the messages of Jesus Christ speaks to behavior
patterns. The “Sermon on the Mount” is an example of how the Gospel message
dictates behavior patterns (Matt 5:1-7:29). These behaviors are the results of
choices but specific behaviors include loving enemies, giving to the needy, and
lending to people. The Gospel does not seek to change culture for the sake of
culture but the Gospel will incite change to every culture that comes into
contact with it.
[1] Cornelis van der Kooi.
"Herman Bavinck and Karl Barth on Christian faith and culture." Calvin Theological
Journal 45,
no. 1 (April 1, 2010): 72-78. 74.
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