Cultural awareness: Sowing seeds with understanding
Cultures around the world are crying out for something they do not understand. They do not understand the light that they seek, and as a result, they pursue false glimpses of fleeting light. The light that I know, however, is a lasting light.
As the world searches for a light that can refresh and satisfy souls, many have come and will come around touting some mistaken ideology with which they believe they can accomplish this great task. But we, the Christ-followers who have truly everlasting light, often fail to effectively communicate the gospel to those we are called to share it with.
In order to fulfill the task given to us by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20), we as Christians must prepare ourselves to communicate well with anyone we may come in contact with. To share the gospel, we not only have to hide the word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11) and stand in expectance that we will be asked a reason for our faith (1 Peter 3:15), but we also ought to be culturally intelligent people, well-versed in the traditions and philosophies that drive various sects of humanity.
Why stress cultural intelligence as a means to win disciples? Well, when I was in Türkiye (Turkey), I tried asking a waiter where the bathroom was in Turkish. He was confused as to why I asked him if I could take a shower in a restaurant. This is why cultural intelligence is so vital for Christians. We have the greatest message in this world, and though the Holy Spirit speaks through the living word, it is our responsibility to disciple people of all nations. Let our words not be confused or misunderstood; rather, let us be refined in every tongue and tradition in hopes that our love for all people is seen as a testament to the love of Christ.
By becoming cultured, we are met with the reward of understanding what cultural practices are off-limits to those who serve Christ alone. Cultures often understand gestures, styles and actions differently, but what is wrong is wrong across all the Earth. The intent of cultural practices is frequently the difference between a sin and a mere custom. “In Sha Allah,” or “God willing,” is a common thing to hear among those who speak Arabic. When I first heard this, I assumed that my faith would prevent me from giving regard to this false god of Islam. It turns out, my cultural ignorance was preventing me from understanding that “Allah” is the name with which Arabic-speaking Christians refer to the God of the Bible as well.
Before the death and resurrection of Jesus, the cross was a symbol of torture and suffering. It is now a symbol of sacrifice, victory and love. We must not neglect the fact that God is capable of taking evil objects of culture and turning them into tools for the good of his kingdom. Of course, the enemy is also capable of this. After all, the rainbow now stands as a pillar of a culture that thrives on the persecution of Christianity.
Understanding the cultures of this world does not mean approving the pillars or patterns therein. It simply means understanding how to operate within them for the sake of the gospel. When Paul comes to the Areopagus in Acts 17, he rebukes the religions of the Athenians, pointing out that they do not even know whom they worship. He was certainly not acting within Athenian tradition then. Still, his mission remained: to be whoever he needed to be for the sake of winning hearts and minds for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
Every culture will remain lost in perpetual darkness without the gospel. By becoming familiar with the various cultures of the world, we can stand ready to communicate to all people the love that calls all equal, valuable and children of one God. “After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!’” (Revelation 7:9-10).
Kilker is an opinion writer for the Liberty Champion