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.
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