Central Truth

Christianity is NOT an exclusive religion. It is for anyone who is willing to turn their lives over to Jesus Christ regardless of race, ethnicity, or culture.

Reflections

Some people accuse Christianity of being a form of “cultural imperialism”. They claim it destroys indigenous cultures when introduced into societies. From its very beginning, Christianity had to answer questions regarding this issue. Obviously, the gospel message transforms individual lives. If enough individuals are transformed by the power of its message, admittedly, the gospel may result in moral and ideological changes within an entire culture. The gospel message itself, however, does not require an alteration of harmless customs and societal distinctions which identify other people groups. 

In Acts 15, we find Paul and Barnabas having completed the first Christian missionary journey of taking the gospel outside Israel to the Greek/Roman cultured areas of what is today’s Muslim southern Turkey. Returning to Antioch of Syria from where they had initiated their travels, they encountered some men from Judea. They were purportedly from the main body of believers in Jerusalem, claiming the Gentiles must adopt the cultural norms and religious ritual of the Jewish people if they are to become true Christians. Verse 5 gives a clue as to how this belief arose among some of the Christians in Jerusalem. Apparently, some Pharisees had actually converted to Christianity after the resurrection of Jesus.

Having been unsuccessful in debating the group, later known as “Judaizers”, Paul and Barnabas decided they should go to Jerusalem to discuss the matter with the Elder Leadership in Jerusalem. That group consisted of some influential authorities of Christianity at the time – among them were Peter (Simeon) and James, who was the brother of Jesus. The discussion and result is detailed in verses 4-29. Guided by the Holy Spirit of God, the Council concluded that the Gentile converts to Christianity could be expected to adhere to a few spiritual, moral and sanitary principles, but were not obligated to modify the uniqueness of their cultural styles. 

Often, other religions expect adoption of the styles and rituals of their cultural origin. By God’s design, Christianity’s message of knowing God through Jesus Christ is universally relevant and makes no demands of cultural revision upon those who will accept it.

Discussion Questions

1. Observe, or think about, the various “cultural styles” there are in this world. What do many of those styles tell you about the belief systems of the cultures owning them?

2. Generally, how would you describe a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Animist culture? What does a Christian culture look like?

3. Think about the various expressions of Christianity in different cultures and discuss how each is different from one another? What makes each expression distinctly Christian?

4. In what ways might the Gospel message influence a culture without destroying the cultural identity of its people?

5. Read Acts 15:30-31. What was the result of the Elders decision? Why do you think the believers in Antioch responded in that manner?

6. Considering the universality of the Gospel message, what do you think should be your response regarding other culture groups?