CULTURAL CONTRIBUTIONS

From My Perspective - - -

What is a Cultural Contribution? What is a Cultural Influence? What is a Cultural Fragmentation (“the disintegration, collapse, or breakdown of norms of thought, behavior, or social relationship”)? Where should the “church’ be in the overall Cultural Life of the nation and world? A few examples regarding cultural contributions; influence; and, fragmentation:

First: The Washington Post reported that the 2012 Kennedy Center honored seven individuals “for their cultural contributions to the nation.” Attached to this is the assessment “they inspire, invent and entertain.” In the article, there is a paragraph that states: “Producers George and Michael Stevens set the musicians in front of an enormous backdrop of a gloomy and decrepit gothic church. There were seizure-inducing strobes, bottom-rumbling bass lines and smoke effects, which may be why a small group of older folks tiptoed out.” The depiction and description of a “church” – “a gloomy and decrepit gothic church.” Is that a valid cultural assessment? Is that what should be understood and allowed by those who are being honored for their cultural influence and/or impact?  What if they had instead joined with “a small group of older folks tiptoed out” – what would have happened with their “Honor” and how would their “Cultural Influence” be assessed and viewed?

Second: Christmas Cards can have beautiful art work and displays – but – a picture can, and often does, speak a thousand words and reflect that which is a cultural priority. One beautiful picture shows a snow scene with a cozy home in the foreground. Just slightly removed from this home is a barn. In the background, distant to the home and barn, and on a slight decline is a Church building. While the art is beautiful, does the position and depiction of the church building differ very much from the Kennedy Center scene for a performance - “a gloomy and decrepit gothic church”?

Third: In a social network post, someone wrote regarding mega-churches: “I just came across a way of looking at mega-churches…Churches with built in schools, counseling and health services, and bowling alleys are assimilating one of lost functions of mass urban society. Namely, they are building their own ethnic neighborhoods.” Someone wrote in response: “How does this calibrate with a ‘fortress mentality’ approach and the ‘escape’ from the culture to which the ‘church’ is to minister? The ‘church’ is to be IN the world while not being OF the world. How can the ‘church’ be salt and light if it stays within a cocoon, a commune and/or self-imposed boundaries with just ‘Christians’ so-called?”

Fourth: Almost a decade ago, a government funded organization decided to publish their version of a Christmas Card. They were advertised as “choice” cards. Why? It took a liberty with Luke 2:14, and the words of the Angelic Choir: “Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" They changed the word “peace” to promote their social program by substituting “choice” - "choice on earth" (supporting a woman's right to an abortion)! Some chapters of this organization also offered Abortion Gift Cards. Interestingly, the effort of “Christmas Cards” failed to have a wide appeal and is greatly diminished.

What should the “church” be doing in terms of cultural contribution? One of the efforts to impact and influence the culture would be to respond to the Birth of Jesus Christ similarly to the Shepherds. In Luke 2:15-20, “…when the angels had gone away from them into heaven…the shepherds said to one another, Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us. And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” The shepherds “made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds…” And “…they returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.” This should be Our Cultural Contribution and Influence. Are you caught up in the secular observances, or the spiritual celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ? Consider these things with me!