Cultural Diversity Unbiblical?

I once ministered in a cross cultural context of sorts as the English language pastor at an Asian church. During a Friday night time of worship I mentioned that I did not believe in “cultural diversity.” A gasp went out over the room as I violated seemingly sacrosanct rules of political correctness. Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that the people present weren’t Bible believing Christians. On the contrary, many were. The challenge was twofold. First, we were living in one of the most culturally diverse states in America—California. Second, the culture has pretty well indoctrinated, or influenced, the thinking of many in the Church.

Sensing their concern that Pastor Keith was somehow succumbing to some form of xenophobia or racism, I reassured them by explaining to them that where Chinese or Western Culture harmonized with the Bible, each cultural perspective was “okay.” I reminded them that the differences in language and such stemmed from the Fall of Man in God’s garden, generally, and from the events resulting from mankind’s further rebellion at the Tower of Babel. Consequently, many aspects of our culture are the result of sin. The original “culture” (before man’s rebellion against God) was homogenous. One may wryly observe that where any culture harmonizes with the Bible, we may indeed celebrate it. Where Chinese Culture, African Cultures (for they are many), Native American Culture, and so-called Western Culture harmonizes with God’s word they homogenize and become indistinguishable from one another, save for our slight differences in physical appearance. They cease to be diverse, but become homogenous. Hence, the title of this essay. Think about it.

Posted via email from keithcrosby's posterous

Untitled

“We all don’t believe that. We believe in universal salvation. God will accept everyone into heaven.” A friend of mine recently hosted a family reunion. At some point the discussion among siblings turned spiritual. Within this family gathering were those with divergent views about God, the Bible, and Eternity. The “liberal” sentiments of one segment of the family were expressed by a younger sister. She believed that no one is really bad enough to go to hell and that God would not turn anyone away from heaven.

You often hear such statements today. “My God would not condemn anyone to hell…” “That’s not the Jesus I know…” “The Jesus I know is a forgiving savior.” Their belief system breaks down if you ask them a question like, “Well, then Adolph Hitler is in heaven?” One usually receives an answer like “Well no… bad people like Hitler don’t go to heaven.”

These folks are the same folks who are inclined to judge those who seek to apply God’s word to certain popular, or acceptable, behaviors today (i.e. calling sex outside of marriage, or other sexual sins, “sin”) as judgmental. Such folks usually reject the Scriptures as either authoritative or sufficient for today’s problems. However, bring up Hitler and others of his ilk and you usually hear something like “Well, he’s really bad.” To this line of thinking I am inclined to ask, “Says who?” Who says Hitler was really bad? By what standard then do we determine and delineate really bad behavior and heaven bound behavior?

The fact is we are all bad. The Bible says “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).” In the same epistle we read, “The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). In the run up to the “all have sinned statement” we read “there is none righteous, no not one… there is none who does good not even one…” Nearby these statements we learn that the mind set on the flesh does not obey God and cannot obey God (Romans 8:3ff).

The reality is that everyone is bad enough that they don’t deserve to go to heaven. However, God offers forgiveness and salvation to all people, regardless of race, color or creed, or even sexual orientation. The problem is that He only grants forgiveness to those who will receive His offer on His terms. He offers the free gift of life despite our “badness.”

“For the wages of sin is death but the free gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 6:23).”

What is problematic and of eternal consequence is that unless you are willing to receive the gift of eternal life, on the basis upon which it is offered, you will not receive what you reject because you want God on your own terms. This is bad news for many religious people found in churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious places. Religion does not equal a life changing, saving relationship with the One True God. A radical trust in God is what matters and Christ is God. Thus, rejecting Christ is to reject forgiveness. To receive Christ, is to receive the gift of eternal life. Without Christ, no one goes to heaven (Acts 4:12) for there is no other name given among men under heaven by which a person can be saved. It’s not outward religion that changes a person inside out and transforms them. If your faith hasn’t changed you then it has not saved you. That’ why Jesus warns:

²¹ "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven; but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. ²² "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' ²³ "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.' (Mat 7:21-23 NAS)

People may do religious things. But make no mistake. Not everyone is going to heaven. People trusting in religion and doing religious things---even apparent miracles will not go to heaven.  It is those who trust in Christ. In whom do you trust?

Posted via email from keithcrosby's posterous