Engaging Culture with Christianity
A Primer on Using Axes and Hammers
This piece is an adaptation of a lecture I delivered on a college campus to a group of students who wanted to know how best to engage culture as Christians.
In the annals of history, the year 723 AD stands out as an epochal moment when cultural clashes between religious convictions and entrenched pagan practices came to the fore. It was during this time that a man named Boniface ventured into the city of Geismar, where a community fervently worshiped pagan deities, particularly Thor, the god of thunder, beneath the colossal shade of a sacred oak tree. Boniface, a devout Christian, was profoundly troubled by this ritualistic devotion and chose to confront it openly, even going so far as to threaten to fell the venerated oak. The residents, understandably, cautioned him against such a heretical act, warning that Thor himself would unleash his divine wrath in the form of lightning. Undeterred, and perhaps inspired by the Biblical account of Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, Boniface took up an axe and began to sever the sacred oak.
After hours of determined labor, the colossal tree toppled, leaving onlookers in awe. Astonishingly, this act of religious audacity led to a collective conversion of the townsfolk, who repented of their ways and embraced Christianity. Legend has it that Boniface subsequently employed the wood from the felled oak to construct a church. While the veracity of this particular detail remains open to debate, the story nonetheless presents a captivating illustration of the transformative power wielded by a steadfast Christian in a foreign land.
This historical episode serves as a compelling framework through which to examine the intricate relationship between Christianity and culture. It underscores the dual role that Christians often find themselves in—equipped with both an axe to dismantle cultural idols and a hammer to construct a new, faithful cultural edifice.
Understanding the Cultural Landscape:
Modern society presents a complex tapestry of beliefs, practices, and values. It is a world that subtly worships idols, often cloaking these devotions as essential components of human well-being. At the heart of every culture lies its "cultus," an embodiment of its core beliefs and values—a reflection of what the society truly reveres. In contemporary terms, these idols often take the form of materialism, sensuality, and self-indulgence. Intriguingly, many of these idols are perversions or distortions of inherently good elements that God has created.
One distinct feature of the present age is the pursuit of tolerance and acceptance, coupled with a condemnation of dissent or critique (unless, of course, it aligns with progressive ideologies). Divergence from the prevailing progressive narrative often results in individuals being ostracized, labeled as the latest victims of cancel culture—a punitive practice where one's platform is revoked for failing to conform.
Moreover, the postmodern notion of relative truth is ascendant, contending that what is true for one person need not be so for another. This philosophy, however, tends to devolve into a quest for unchecked personal freedom, devoid of moral constraints or accountability. The modern era also champions the concept that the world divides naturally into oppressors and oppressed, with this dichotomy extending from economic disparities to issues of justice, sexuality, ethnicity, and environmentalism.
Simultaneously, societal structures are underpinned by the unsettling deconstruction of traditional family units. This involves undermining masculinity, trivializing femininity, postponing marriage, normalizing divorce, and viewing children as burdensome inconveniences. The tragic testament to this shift is the annual toll of 73 million unborn children murdered in the womb across the world.
Sexual promiscuity and sensuality have become ubiquitous, perpetuating the illusion that individuals can unilaterally define their sexual identity and partners. In tandem, society seeks to normalize pornography and various sexual perversions, effectively creating a docile, malleable populace.
Fear, too, has become an enduring facet of contemporary existence, with the ever-present dread of disruptions to personal comfort. The climate change discourse, heavily steeped in fearmongering, serves as a stark example. Civil governments across the globe have capitalized on fear as a means to expand their control, implementing sweeping measures such as lockdowns, social distancing, and the untested administration of medications.
The State, paradoxically, has emerged as a quasi-deity, seen as the panacea for economic, healthcare, educational, and even religious matters. It is a worldview that endows the state with unwarranted authority in domains ranging from health and economics to education and occasionally even religious affairs.
Prestige, wealth, influence, and applause have become the elixir of human ambition, as individuals endeavor to establish legacies that elicit admiration. Many claim to be driven by noble passions, all while pursuing societal affirmation.
Superstition and animistic beliefs continue to persist, fueling apprehensions about poverty, envy, and malevolence. There remains a palpable trust in supernatural forces, overshadowing a commitment to divine truth.
Human life is increasingly devalued, private property is disparaged, and despite trillions of dollars poured into poverty alleviation, the needle scarcely moves.
Modernity is hailed as the supreme virtue, reducing humanity to mechanistic agents of progress, often without regard for holistic human flourishing.
The global pantheon encompasses an array of pagan religions and cults, from those venerating carved images to personality-driven fads masquerading as divine movements.
Secularization has taken root, advocating for the notion that God either does not exist or wields no sovereignty over daily life. This secular worldview dismantles its own foundations as it buckles under the weight of societal chaos and anarchy, resulting from humanity's futile efforts to assume a perceived divine role.
It is imperative to recognize that these cultural phenomena are fundamentally rooted in human sinfulness, manifested in societies that reject or disregard God. The apostle Paul's words resonate, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). In the wake of blind denial of Christ's lordship over cultures, people remain plagued by sinful ideologies and practices that lead to destruction and perpetrate a culture of death.
The State of Christianity:
Regrettably, the realm of Christianity has, to a considerable extent, drifted from its robust Biblical foundations, veering toward the adoption of psychological and marketing strategies. In this evolving landscape, empathy sometimes supplants truth, and acceptance supersedes holiness. Christians are not immune to the allure of societal affirmation, often attempting to win over the world by harmonizing with its latest cultural trends. In doing so, they inadvertently succumb to idolatry, seeking acceptance from two masters.
Paradoxically, some Christians, like their non-believing counterparts, partition God's sovereignty, circumscribing His lordship to the church and its sacraments. They inadvertently assign authority in various social and vocational domains to alternate entities, transgressing the first commandment.
All these observations point to the existence of cultural idols embedded within our own societies—idols that inform values, beliefs, worldviews, and ultimately, cultures themselves. It is these idols that individuals allocate their time, resources, knowledge, relationships, leisure, and labor to. Recognizing the presence of these idols is the first step in wielding the sharpened axe effectively.
What the Axe Represents:
The axe, metaphorically and literally, serves as a tool to dismantle cultural idols. As Christians, we must first acknowledge that our citizenship is in heaven before it is in earthly nations or republics. We function as ambassadors of Christ in this world, entrusted not with negotiation but with the proclamation that Christ is King and Lord over all. Our role is to be salt and light, representing God to the world. The axe symbolizes our capacity to dismantle the idols revered by society. For tangible idols, we may need to physically remove or destroy them. For those residing in hearts and minds, we must proclaim the Gospel, assert Christ's Kingship, present reasoned arguments, and promote a Biblical Worldview.
Identifying Contemporary Idols Warranting the Axe:
Media and entertainment that glorify sin
Education systems lacking instruction on the fear of God
Secularism and modernity
Animistic practices
Rampant consumerism
Statism
The deceit of feminism
The encroachment of effeminacy
The culture of fearmongering
Sensual indulgence and pleasure-seeking
The relentless pursuit of careerism
The stifling effects of political correctness
Narcissism's stranglehold
The pernicious grip of materialism
What the Hammer Signifies:
In juxtaposition to the axe, the hammer represents a tool for constructing a culture that aligns with God's design. This can manifest literally, as we physically build structures honoring God, or metaphorically, as we nurture the hearts, minds, and souls of individuals. Culture, at its core, revolves around an object of worship. The critical question then becomes, what or Who shall this object be? Will it be the true and living God who is holy and righteous, or will it be inanimate structures of wood and stone that reflect man’s propensity toward folly. It is imperative to ensure that when we disassemble idols with the axe, we replace them with something substantial. The construction of distinctly Christian institutions that are wholly submitted to the lordship of Christ provides the only alternative to the idolatrous madness in this culture. Our duty must be to build people and institutions that are committed to glorifying God by being redemptive change agents that propagate truth, beauty, and goodness in all things; aiming to be fruitful in all their endeavors. While the world propagates a culture of death (that must be torn down), we must build a culture of life.
Institutions and people that must be built:
Christian households
Christian schools
Christian businesses
Christian politicians
Christian lawmakers and enforcers
Christian scientists
Christian entertainers
Christian historians
Christian hospitals
Christian writers
Attributes Needed to Wield the Axe and Hammer:
This dual role demands godly men and women who embody qualities such as unwavering faith, integrity, wisdom, and courage. Such individuals understand their role as stewards of God's creation, exemplifying diligence, accountability, and self-control.
Godly Men:
Godly men who shape culture are watchful, remaining firm in their faith in Christ, embracing masculine virtues, and possessing great strength. These men are wise and discerning, knowledgeable about the Truth, diligent, and courageous in their duties. They are full of integrity, dignity, and possess soundness in speech. They are above reproach and are committed to their marital covenant with one woman. They embrace fatherhood, respect authority, assume responsibility, and exhibit self-control. They are men of dominion, faithfully subduing the spaces around them. They are moral, loving what is good and abhorring evil. They are neither passive, weak, immature, nor ignorant. They rely on the grace of God, are repentant, humble, and live according to God's will alone. They are protectors, providers, and leaders over their homes, churches, and public squares. They are warriors, hunters, and poets. They are God’s men, demonstrating faithfulness and integrity even at great personal cost. In all things, they are found faithful rather than lacking. The glory of God is their ultimate goal.
Godly women:
Godly women who shape culture are those who embrace their calling to be helpers, nurturers, life-givers, and child-bearers, pouring themselves out in serving, building, loving, and beautifying everything and everyone around them. These women are reverent in their behavior, possess a gentle and quiet spirit, exude class and poise, and radiate a beauty that emanates from within. They embrace their roles as submissive wives and cherish motherhood. They are knowledgeable about sound doctrine and exhibit wisdom in all their dealings. They embrace femininity, reject feminism, and recognize that they have the ability and opportunity to influence countless generations to fear God. The glory of God is their ultimate goal.
In Conclusion:
In the grand tapestry of history, the intersection of Christianity and culture stands as a pivotal battleground—a cultural war, if you will (Ephesians 6). However, it is disconcerting that many Christians seem oblivious to this fact. Not due to a lack of involvement in the war, but rather, their inability to distinguish between being pricked by a spear and experiencing spa-like acupuncture. This is a perilous place to find oneself, and we must strive for a higher level of awareness.
To engage effectively in the struggle against sinful cultures, we must first possess a culture worth fighting for. The culture we aim to propagate should find its foundation in the rightful worship of Christ. We must forge a distinct Christian culture, characterized by unique values, beliefs, ethos, customs, traditions, and rhetoric. Our purpose is not merely to Christianize the existing worldly culture but to construct an entirely new one. Engaging with the broader culture requires transformation, not conformity. We must be transformed by the eternal truths bestowed upon us through God's Word, and then communicate these truths to others.
As we embark on this journey, let us grasp our axes and hammers firmly, ready to strike down idols and construct a culture that glorifies God alone. Amen!