Taking every thought captive for obedience to Christ (2 Cor. 10.5)

Disciplines
Culture
The question arises, in the light of PayPal^TM CEO Dan Schulman’s very public support of the LGBT community, whether Christians – including Christian organizations such as The Fellowship of Ailbe – should continue to make use of the online banking service.

This is an important question, but it is larger in scope than merely whether Christians should boycott PayPal^TM because the views of its CEO do not line up with our Christian worldview.

PayPal^TM is an institution of contemporary culture which provides a service to subscribers allowing them to accomplish financial transactions online securely, and with a minimum of effort. PayPal^TM charges a fee to subscribers, and the fee is not unreasonable. PayPal^TM makes it easy, efficient, and secure to purchase items online, contribute to charities, transfer funds between accounts, send and receive money, and other financial services. Subscribers can generate reports to assist them in record-keeping, taxes, and reporting to constituents.

The wide popularity and growing use of PayPal^TM indicates that this is a service subscribers find useful and good. From the perspective of The Fellowship of Ailbe, I agree with that assessment.

But should Christians be engaged with cultural activities or entities that espouse views contrary to the teaching of Scripture? The short answer, of course is, not if by so doing we are required to compromise our Biblical convictions or worldview.

However, the ability to make and use culture is a gift of God, as we have frequently argued in these pages. Paul, citing Psalm 68.18 (cf. Eph. 4.8), indicates that the Lord from His throne gives gifts to all people, even those who declare themselves to be His enemies. As these are gifts to all people, the gifts in view include more than just the spiritual gifts given to believers for the purpose of building Christ’s Church. God loves even those who despise Him, and He does good for – and through – those who deny or reject Him and His Gospel.

Culture comprises those artifacts, institutions, and conventions by which human beings define, sustain, and enrich their lives. The gifts of culture are good, coming as they do from God; however, not all forms of culture are necessarily good, and may, in many cases, be evil. All such forms or uses of culture, Christians should eschew.

But even forms of culture created by those who oppose the Christian worldview can be good and useful for the promulgation of the Gospel and the progress of the Kingdom. Joseph used the cultural resources of Egypt to save an entire region from drought. Moses and the children of Israel plundered the culture of Egypt to sustain them during their journey through the wilderness, and to provide for them as they entered the land of Canaan. Solomon drew on the cultural expertise of the Tyrian artisan Huram (Hiram) in building the temple of the Lord. Jesus paid the temple tax demanded by his enemies and taught in their synagogues. Paul used the roads and juridical system of the very Roman government that ultimately executed him. He insisted that it was not possible for Christians completely to dissociate themselves from the world; rather, they must be careful not to be contaminated by or to endorse or support wickedness (1 Cor. 5.9-11).

In City of God Augustine explained that the City of God – the Church – and the City of Man exist commingled in any historical moment, and since both share in such common cultural activities as language, lore, law, and so forth, it can be difficult to disentangle the two from one another. At the same time, he roundly condemned those Roman cultural practices which were a scandal to God and men, even as he commended those Roman contributions to culture which he found to be useful and good.

Christians may make good use of any forms of culture available to them, as long as in using them for good they do not compromise the holy and righteous and good Law of God. Christians will certainly disagree on how far they may proceed in the use of cultural forms associated with unBiblical positions or practices. Each one must consider his choices and decisions before the Lord (Rom. 14.16-23; 1 Cor. 8.4-13).

The question that must be always before us is, What resources, opportunities, abilities, and tools are available to me for seeking the Kingdom of God and His righteousness? God gives the gifts of culture even to those who despise Him, so that He might dwell in the midst of those gifts in order to advance His holy and righteous and good purposes on earth.

We may use all the Lord’s gifts of culture for the purpose of glorifying Him and making Him known. Each believer must consult the Lord concerning the opportunities and resources available to him, to make sure, in any form of cultural activity, that his conscience is clear and his decision in line with the will and purposes of God.

For reflection
1.  How do you make decisions about which cultural forms and activities you will engage?

2.  Do you feel confident that you know how to use the Scripture to help you in making cultural choices? Why or why not?

3.  Why is it possible, even likely, that Christians will disagree on whether or not to use certain cultural forms? Can you give an example?

Next steps: What does your church do to equip its members for making the best use of culture for the glory of God? Ask a pastor or church leader.

For a closer look at making cultural decisions, order T. M.’s book, Christians on the Front Lines of the Culture Wars, from our online store (click here).

The Week features insights from a wide range of topics and issues, with a view to equipping the followers of Christ to take every thought captive for Jesus. Please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.