Culture, Religion and the Kingdom of God

From The Mysterious Kingdom of Heaven;

CULTURE, RELIGION AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Matthew 24:14(NKJV) - And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

In the countries where religions originated, cultures originated. Jewish culture was birthed out of the religion of Judaism. Muslim culture was birthed out of the religion of Islam. Buddhist culture was birthed out of the religion of Buddhism. Hindu culture was birthed out of the religion of Hinduism. Therefore, in those societies, contrasting religions result in contrasting cultures.

Their entire lives are shaped by the religion they espouse. The way they dress, eat, talk, make decisions, raise their families, enjoy entertainment and think is based in their religious beliefs. As a result, conversion from most of those religions is more than just a change of church or belief system. It's dying to all they know and coming back to life as someone completely different. Their culture and religion are co-existent. When we understand these things, we'll recognize how revolutionary the gospel of The Kingdom really is.

According to The Merriam-Webster Dictionary, in this context, "culture" is defined as:

a: the integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for learning and transmitting knowledge to succeeding generations

b: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group; also: the characteristic features of everyday existence (as diversions or a way of life} shared by people in a place or time; popular culture, southern culture

c: the set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution or organization; a corporate culture focused on the bottom line

d: the set of values, conventions, or social practices associated with a particular field, activity, or societal characteristic; studying the effect of computers on print culture, changing the culture of materialism will take time - Peggy O'Mara



Also, in this context, the word, "religion" is defined as:

a: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

b: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith


Take a close look at the second definition of religion. If you have any system of beliefs, whether you like it or not, you have a religion. Therefore, if you claim to believe in the teachings of Jesus Christ, by definition, you have a religion that is commonly known as Christianity. For the sake of argument, in this book, The Mysterious Kingdom of Heaven, let us define Christianity as following Christ the same way we define Buddhism as following Buddha.

John 17:14-19(NKJV) - I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

The world is not a place. A place does not have feelings and cannot hate someone. The same person can be in the world one day and be out of the world the next. That's the testimony of every Christian. The world actually refers to cultural systems which come out of secular beliefs. In 2 Corinthians 4:4, the god of this world is the devil so even the people who claim to have no god are given one by default.

The Christian Cultural Revolution

Acts 2:38-42(MSG) - Peter said, "Change your life. Turn to God and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, so your sins are forgiven. Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is targeted to you and your children, but also to all who are far away-whomever, in fact, our Master God invites." He went on in this vein for a long time, urging them over and over, "Get out while you can; get out of this sick and stupid culture!" That day about three thousand took him at his word, were baptized and were signed up. They committed themselves to the teaching of the apostles, the life together, the common meal, and the prayers.

Peter broke the gospel down in a way that we could all understand. Becoming a Christian is more than just missing hell, going to church and obeying uncomfortable rules. It's a change of belief system (religion) and a change of lifestyle (culture). We don't think the same way as the people of the world and we do not act the same way either. We cannot impact the culture of the world if we cannot impact what they believe. Until people believe something different, their lifestyles will never change.

Romans 10:13-15(NLT) - For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"

We have to follow the example of The Apostles in The New Testament to have the impact that they had. By changing their own belief system, developing the culture of Jesus and sharing it with others they attacked the belief system around them and impacted the culture. Hence, we can't effectively invite people to join The Body of Christ if Christianity is not our culture.