In His Name Devotionals
BIBLICAL OR CULTURAL?
In His Name Devotionals
BIBLICAL OR CULTURAL?
Interaction between Scripture and culture is always tricky, often presenting serious problems both to understanding and application. But what else should we expect? After all, God’s revelation takes place in the context of time, space and culture. However, God’s revelation contains something larger than the cultural package in which it is delivered. So how can we distinguish them?
Examples of the problem are everywhere around us. Most Bible students allow that the rules governing slave conduct —found both in the Old and New Testaments—are time-specific, referring to situations that no longer exist in the United States. And while the Bible does not call for the outright abolition of slavery, God’s revelation contains the seed principles ultimately leading to its undoing. However, as long as slavery existed believers were to act in certain ways—masters showing consideration and slaves fulfilling their duties with respect.
Regarding slavery, principles of respect for human dignity, regard for social order, life under authority and love for one’s fellow human beings were larger than culture. In other words, they do not depend on particular human social settings for legitimacy. They do not pass away with the changing of social order. However, slavery is neither commanded nor sanctioned. In the case of Paul’s relationship with a certain slave and his owner (cf. Epistle of Philemon), there is a grudging acknowledgment of the institution of slavery and part of the larger rational for dismantling it.
Are we to embrace and affirm the larger truths, while repudiating slavery? One would think so. But such was not the case in the pre-Civil War South! Old and New Testament texts were cited to defend slave-holding. The Bible was used to oppress African slaves brought to America. No doubt you can think of other examples—from racial segregation to foot washing to head coverings in worship assemblies.
The issues of sexism in the broader culture and appropriate roles for females in the life and ministry of the church are presently in public view. Women have been denied equal pay for equal (or superior) work and subjected to harassment in the workplace. Strides have been made to address those social issues—but we still have a way to go. Women have been prohibited from using their skills and training in ministries of the church and forced to defer to males when nothing was at stake in terms of “usurping authority.”
For example, when did greeting visitors or handing out programs become an issue of “authority” in the church? Or passing trays of bread and wine? Or keeping financial records? Or reading Scripture? Or testifying? Or making announcements? Or dozens of other routine functions in the life of the church? It doesn’t take rocket science to understand that they became “authority issues” when male-dominated cultures declared them so.
It becomes evident that such “issues” as the ones listed above do not challenge or preempt male leadership as soon as one envisions the same things happening in a home rather than in the life of a local church. A godly woman neither disrespects nor dishonors her husband by bringing food to the table, balancing the checkbook, earning a salary or testifying to the goodness of God. Similarly, a godly woman does not challenge or circumvent the authority of elders by performing equivalent tasks in the life of the church.
