Christ and Culture: An Introduction

A person who has become a Christian will necessarily have to face the question: "how then shall I live?" The question might come to him quite abruptly. He recognizes that a new reality consists within him. However, the old and present reality of the world around him lingers. And he will soon find out unlike before, that this world forces its influences strongly. The force is strong, opposing the new reality that he now enjoys. How this new and old realities are dealt with, depends upon his understanding of what their relationship ought to be. This relationship hangs solely upon his recognition of what God teaches in His Word.
With this in mind, I picked up a book called Christ and Culture written by H. Richard Niebuhr. This post is based merely on the introduction of the book, as I have yet to read its actual contents. I would be writing about them when I finish the book. Mr. Niebuhr presents his methodology (typology) and introduces the major perspectives about the relationship of Christ, and how his people ought to think and live, and Culture. Basically, how should one who believes in the Christ of the Bible ought to live in this world. The volume surveys five major ways that Christians live their lives on this side of the parousia.

Based from the Preface and Introduction alone, I must admit that this work is an academic exercise. It is not as readable as what would be commonly sold in Christian bookstores. Authorial intent is mainly analytical and would require a bit more reading skill than the casual. There is a wariness in reading scholarly works on the Christian life. With the prestige of an academic background, some readers might be most willing to embrace everything the author has to say, helpful or garbage alike. Thankfully, Mr. Niebuhr carefully states that this method, the use of typology, is carefully nuanced. Categories of Christ-Culture relationship and their advocates are not mutually exclusive, but merely correlational. Proponents of one view would be characterized by a common virtue, but not always. Types, or typology, I find, is much more responsible than some of the works I have read. While I may not agree wholly with Mr. Niebuhr's propositions, he starts off well by offering a mere analysis.

Some important factors I would have to press into my mind or any other person wishing to read before proceeding to devour this book. I fear that using the word "factors" for the following might diminish their actual essence and meaning, but here I go anyway.

1. Who is Christ?
I may or may not come across the identity of Christ in the entire book. It might be assumed, I do not know. There is rarely a Scriptural passage in the Introduction. I need to progress through the book to see if this is the case. But in reading what would be called a "Christian" work, a faith-driven recognition of the true Christ must be primary. Foundational to a healthy reading of "Christian" literature must be a faithful Christology.

2. What is the gospel? Or what makes a Christian a Christian?
Intricately linked to the first factor to consider is the gospel. If there is a faulty Christ, the gospel stemming from this Christ is faulty as well. It cannot save.

3. What is culture?
The work will definitely draw from a sociological approach. Nothing inherently wrong about this. But should we contrast it in parallel to Christ? Reading the book will shed more light as to what Mr. Niebuhr means as culture.

Reading any book should come with particular guidelines. One should read as to how the author intends his book to be read, or how he wants us to understand it. This does not, however, shield him from issues that might be related with his view, but it helps to deflect unnecessary concerns to be asked about his work. If something is rotten, no one in the right mind should be eating it. It should be likewise in ideas presented in books, or blogs, or wherever one finds it. Like what my mother said with regards to buying at the local market, take a long hard look at the fruit before buying it. I am certain that I will learn many things from this book. But to be sure, I would not be buying the ideas wholesale.

[Blog Challenge #2: Post 02]