Culture

I am a fan of old movies.  In Junior High, I was so painfully shy that when all the other kids were out having fun, I was at home watching old movies.  I enjoyed the old comedians like the Keystone Kops, W.C. Fields, Mae West, Abbott and Costello, and Charlie Chaplin.   In their genre, there was often a storyline in which an attractive young actress portrayed the misfit character in a high society gathering.  Coming from the wrong side of the tracks, she would say things like, “Chawrmed, I’m shur-wa” when she met the designated dignitary.  And the group would roll their eyes or gasp in derision because she didn’t meet their social standard. 

That lengthy introduction was to say that for a long time, when I heard the word, “culture”, I often thought of those movie scenes with the snooty rich people who fancied themselves as culturally superior to the misfit character.  I thought of culture as well-educated museum goers, who love opera and symphonies, and drink tea from fine bone-china cups while extending their pinkie finger.  I thought of culture as snobbish rich people who think that they are better than the commoners.  But that isn’t what culture means at all!

There are at least ten variations in the dictionary’s definition of the noun, ‘culture’.  A brief summary is: “the characteristic features of everyday existence”; “shared attitudes, values, goals, practices, and conventions”; and “the integrated pattern of knowledge, belief and behavior”.  

Every society has its own culture.  These cultures are formed over many years from a variety of influences.  Cultures vary from society to society, and from country to country.  For example, the culture in the United States is very different from the culture in Japan.  That makes travel interesting, but it also can be a little intimidating because we tend to feel awkward if we don’t know the accepted cultural norms.  We don’t want to look foolish or be offensive.   

In addition, the specific overall culture in a country generally has geographic nuances.  For instance, in the U.S., the Midwest culture is very different from the culture in the Northeast.  The culture in the rural areas is very different from the culture in the big cities.  Culture varies from state to state and from climate to climate. However, these nuances generally adhere to the overall cultural structure.

Sub-cultures also exist in society.  These develop from special bonds among people with the same careers, hobbies, special interests, or other endeavors.  These sub-cultures influence people’s behavior, attitude, and appearance.  Skateboarders for example…  There is an identifiable sub-culture surrounding skateboarding.  We see this not only in the performance of their sport, but also in how they dress, how they talk, and how they act.  This sub-culture is so popular that even non-skateboarders imitate their appearance and behavior.  So it is with many sub-cultures.  I still wear my Harley Davidson t-shirts even though we no longer have our bike.  Most of the time these sub-cultures fit neatly under the umbrella of the overall culture.  However, there are times that sub-cultures can challenge the accepted norms.  Whether that is a good thing or bad thing depends on:  1. The motives behind the movement, and 2.  Which side of the fence you’re on. 

Cultures can be confusing and somewhat uncertain.  The first time we traveled to England, I was surprised to feel uncomfortable.  There was no language barrier, but I was not acquainted with their culture.  The only way I could explain it was that I felt like I didn’t know the rules, and consequently I didn’t know if I was breaking them.  I didn’t want to appear to be some boorish American tourist.  Even moving to a different state meant I had to learn about a new culture.  I remember being at work in New Jersey shortly after moving from Ohio and I said, “pop” referring to a carbonated beverage.  Conversation instantly ceased and all eyes were focused on me as if I had just stepped off a spaceship.  I quickly learned to say, “soda”! 

When values, attitudes, and behaviors become common practices, those practices become the established norms, and those norms become the culture.  And because life is ever changing, culture is ever changing.  As society progresses, we are supposed to change with it, but sometimes a culture’s progression isn’t toward a positive change. 

Have you ever thought that life was better, easier, or simpler when you were a kid?  Part of that is our perspective, but part also could be because of an erosion of our culture.  We may not agree with the changes happening around us because the values that we hold dear are being left behind.  And if the values change, so do the attitudes, behaviors, and practices.  It certainly seems like today’s culture is challenging many of the values that I hold dear.  Negative opinions are rampant about God, family, liberty, country, and many Christian values.  So what do we do?

All the references I have made to culture so far in this post have been about the physical culture of the world.  We as Christians are affected by that culture because we live here, but we also have a spiritual culture.  You probably have heard the statement, “we are in the world, but we are not of the world.”  We have the culture that God has called us to live.  We have the culture that God’s Word proclaims as our way of life.  We can live that spiritual culture and live above this world.  The worldly culture may consider that the culture of living as God’s family is a sub-culture.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  God’s Word reigns supreme in this world whether people recognize it or not.  And no amount of contradicting God’s Word changes its truth or power.  When we are committed to live the culture of God’s Word, we disrupt the negative influences of the world, just like they did in the Book of Acts.  When we walk as sons of God with power, the negative influences are paralyzed. 

We can show the love of God to people, so they too can live above the world and be delivered from the crippling forces that oppose God and everything He is.  And the more that the spiritual culture prevails, the less that the negative worldly culture can manipulate people’s lives. 

Let’s show forth the goodness and kindness of God by living the spiritual lifestyle of God’s Word.  Let’s invite people to see how great God’s love is.  And let’s disrupt the devil’s schemes by proclaiming the Word of God so that everyone has a chance to hear it.  Let’s live ‘the integrated pattern of knowledge, belief and behavior’ of God’s Word; and enjoy the benefits of God’s spiritual culture.

Note to my readers:  Never underestimate your value as a son of God and member of the body of Christ.  Thanks for reading!