Christians and Culture #5

Based on the two definitions I have presented (sectarianism and syncretism), I would like to frame our overall question of how Christians should relate to culture in terms of balancing ideas of sectarianism and syncretism to avoid both sins.

Since we are talking about “balance,” we will likely run into areas that appear to be grey areas.  In reality, I believe that the issue is more black and white than one might think; and these grey areas are mostly, if not entirely, founded in the differing worldviews introduced earlier.  If you did not read the post introducing worldviews, I suggest you do so now as we are about to expand on that topic now.

LINK TO WORLDVIEW POST

As mentioned, these worldviews are simply a set of preconceived ideas and “core” assumptions.  I consider core assumptions to be those that we don’t realize that we have and so never even think to challenge.  Our worldview acts as a filter through which we see and judge everything subconsciously.  Acceptance or rejection of human evolution over millions of years by equally intelligent individuals is largely dependent upon worldview.  A person that views the world from a Biblical perspective starts with an assumption that the Bible is true and sees the flaws of evolutionary science.  A person with a secular Humanist (note:  I would be very interested in your comments regarding how worldview may have influenced this definition) worldview starts with an assumption that man-made science can explain everything, and he cannot accept the concept of a creator.  I suspect that you have studied this concept in a psychology class but in that setting, it was probably called a paradigm.  Basically, a worldview is one form of a paradigm.

I am convinced that, for the typical American, core assumptions (and hence worldview) are based more on culture than on Scripture.  Daily exposure to secular Humanism, especially in the form of public education, shapes our worldview without our being aware.  Worldviews are taught more by modeling than direct teaching.  Few of us have been TAUGHT that public schooling is the best method for education – we have simply accepted that because it was the method that was MODELED for us.

Anti-Christian models of reality are pervasive in American culture at the shopping mall, in the books and on the movie screens.  At a minimum, these models desensitize us.  For many, they become the definition of what is acceptable and even to be embraced as progressive.

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Next:  What if the Bible were our ONLY source of information…

Syncretism

Syncretism – The tendency to blend the world (culture) around us into the Church.  This includes the incorporation of beliefs and practices that are contrary to scripture.  Syncretism is typically a gradual process in which seemingly small accommodations to outside beliefs lead to further, more damaging compromises.  Over time, the result is an essentially new religion that shares little with the original faith.

Like the term sectarianism, syncretism is a pejorative word and as such, it is seldom used.  Syncretism is often promoted as a “good” thing under less controversial names such as “becoming relevant,” “broadening the appeal,” or even a scripturally savvy term taken out of context like “becoming all things to all people.”

Examples in today’s society are often not as clearly seen as is the case with the Amish and sectarianism because they have been incorporated into our worldview as “normal.”  One obvious example, however, is the practice of celebrating Halloween.  Originally a celebration honoring the dead, the holiday was recognized as an important part of the cultural lives of the pagans with whom the Church wished to “become relevant.”  In spite of Church endorsement, the resulting “All Hallows Eve” and “All Saints Day” have little, if any, Christian meaning.  Nevertheless, most Christians have incorporated the rituals and regularly celebrate the holiday; seeing it as harmless fun.  Other examples range from what many conservative evangelicals would consider outrageous to subtle compromises that only the purest puritan might recognize.

The Biblical examples of syncretism are many and serious, especially in Kings and Chronicles.  Solomon and Jeroboam are key examples, but most kings (in both kingdoms) between Solomon and the exile are accused of this sin because they embraced the pagan gods of the people around them and permitted the worship of those gods to take root among God’s people.  See especially 1 Kings Chapter 11.

Can you think of examples of outside culture being incorporated into the Church?