As we explore the relationship between the Church and culture let’s look at the first posturing Richard Niebuhr outlines (see Niebuhr’s “Christ & Culture”).
Christ Against Culture
- this position finds its footing on the sole authority of Christianity over the Christian.
- It rejects the world and any of culture’s claim to authority.
- the world here is seen as bad, something that needs escaping, and in turn doesn’t deal with systems of the world.
- creates an “Us vs. Them” mentality; at times antagonistic.
- creates a Christian sub-culture.
Examples: 20th century Christian Fundamentalism
Christ Against Culture
- this position finds its footing on the sole authority of Christianity over the Christian.
- It rejects the world and any of culture’s claim to authority.
- the world here is seen as bad, something that needs escaping, and in turn doesn’t deal with systems of the world.
- creates an “Us vs. Them” mentality; at times antagonistic.
- creates a Christian sub-culture.
Examples: 20th century Christian Fundamentalism
Where else do you see examples of this posturing? What healthy/unhealthy when the Church is postured this way?
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