MEATY: Aren’t All Cultures Equally Valid?
As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet.
Q.
Aren’t ALL cultures equally valid?
Why should we try to change other people’s cultures?
A.
The core issue of this question stems from a false application of “multiculturalism” — one that is politically correct, educationally encouraged, and sounds nice. But leaving people trapped in sin and isolated from God’s hope of salvation isn’t the “considerate” option.
As Christians, we bring the cross-cultural, life-changing message of Jesus Christ and His forgiveness for sin. Our purpose is not to propagate our own cultural standards, but to present the Gospel in a redeeming yet culturally sensitive way to all people we meet. Eliminating the beautiful uniqueness of international culture is not the purpose of missions; at times, however, sinful elements of a particular culture may need to change.
I will never forget an interview I had with an outstanding Christian teenager who attended a public high school. This young man led a lunchtime “Bible club” and worship time that grew to reach 250 of his fellow classmates. He was writing a school research paper on Christian missionary work and, specifically, he was trying to support his thesis that “modern missionaries do not attempt to ‘change’ foreign cultures.”
I understood this young man’s heart. He was trying to explain how today’s Christian missionaries are different — more culturally appreciative and sensitive — than some of the old-time colonial missionaries (who attempted to expand all aspects of Western civilization throughout the world). But I still disagreed with his conclusion.
I asked this young man a pointed question. “But don’t you try to ‘change the culture’ of the people you are trying to reach? Just look at the typical ‘culture’ of the teens in your high school before they come to Jesus Christ! Look at the way they dress! Listen to their music, their foul language, and the way they address their teachers! What about the DVD’s they watch and the movies they sneak into? What about typical teenagers involved in premarital impurity, or the girls who’ve had abortions? Aren’t all of these a part of teen ‘culture’?”
I went on to explain to him, “Culture is life!! When you share Christ in your high school, of course you don’t want your friends to stop being teenagers — that’s who they are! But you do want Jesus Christ to totally transform the way they live and the way they make their decisions!”
Around the world, societies that have developed isolated from God’s laws and the gospel are filled with sinful cultural elements:
- tribal hatred, ancestral worship, and idolatry
- immoral sex, adultery, and prostitution
- drug addiction, drunkenness, and witchcraft
- abuse and neglect of women and children
As Christians, our job is to bring the light of Jesus to every precious culture. Through His Word and His Holy Spirit, God will show people the changes they need to make to redeem their cultures back to Him.
All people are equally valid. All cultures need Jesus.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”
Where in the World . . . is Chile & Argentina?
What a fun way to learn about the world!
Right now, our oldest son is traveling all over the world on a global adventure — most recently in Chile and Argentina. As a mission-minded homeschooling family, we love to learn about different nations and cultures, and we love to pray for people who need Jesus. Every few weeks, as we get news about this trip, we’re using it as a way for our kids to learn about WORLD MISSIONS (along with world geography and worldviews).
There are so many exciting things to see and to do . . .
Cerro Santa Lucia, in Santiogo, Chile
Following the Adventure . . .
Chile . . .
Valpo, Chile
Valparaiso, ChileMission-Minded Teaching . . .
– – – > Learn about CHILE on the World Map Project
– – – > Learn about CHILE Unreached People Groups
– – – > Pray for CHILE with Operation World
– – – > Explore CHILE on the World Atlas
A castle – near Vina Del Mar, Chile
Mission-Minded Teaching Ideas:
Available here at Harvest Ministry, we have a complete one-year unit study homeschooling curriculum, all based on world missions and God’s Great Commission, called Teaching With God’s Heart for the World. If you follow the whole program (which can be used over one year, or two years, or even as individual week-long units) you and your children will take a whirl-wind tour of international geography and world history.
FREE Unit Study!
South America Unit Study – Week 12
in Teaching With God’s Heart for the World
(Just CLICK to download!!!)
In some places, the curriculum is a little outdated and some of the recommended resources are no longer available, but don’t worry about those little details! And don’t ever think that you have to do “everything”!!! Just glean from the teaching ideas and have fun. The lesson plans are now available for FREE and the craft projects, recipes, ancient history, and Bible lessons are just as applicable as ever. Come take a look!
Argentina . . .
Gaucho dancing – Mendoza, Argentina
Mendoza, ArgentinaMission-Minded Teaching . . .
– – – > Learn about ARGENTINA Unreached People Groups
– – – > Pray for ARGENTINA with Operation World
– – – > Explore ARGENTINA on the World Atlas
A fire juggler, Mendoza, Argentina
Western Argentina . . .
Western Argentina
THERE HE IS . . . It’s Patrick (on another horse, in Western Argentina)!!!
Learn more about South America:
FREE Unit Study!
South America Unit Study – Week 12
in Teaching With God’s Heart for the World
(Just CLICK to download!)
Try a FREE online quiz from lizardpoint.com:
Countries of SOUTH AMERICA
Capitals of SOUTH AMERICA
Fun Craft Idea: Make a Mission-Minded PASSPORT
and keep track of “where you’ve been” (in your learning and prayer)!The travel map (so far!):
So . . . where will he go next?
Met four motorcyclists riding from Alaska’s Arctic Circle to the tip of S. America: “INSPIRING!”
Have fun, learn about world missions,
and follow the adventure!!
David Livingstone: A Missionary Monologue
Use Your Drama Skills for WORLD MISSIONS!
Has anyone in your family ever wanted to perform in a school play or drama production, but your location or homeschooling schedule has not made this possible? Have you ever dreamed of using your dramatic skills and desires to benefit God’s kingdom purposes, or would you be interested in helping to promote God’s heart for world missions?
Well, here is a solo theatrical opportunity you could perform — on your own time, and right in your local area. You could even perform in the privacy of your home. Or, you could present this 2-3 minute monologue LIVE during a church service in your local area, or as a special feature for a nearby youth group, children’s church, or Christian school chapel. Just imagine the possibilities!
Here is an example of this month’s Missionary Monologue (DAVID LIVINGSTONE: The Great Missionary Explorer), presented by our family friend, Craig Rodenmayer, a former stage performer for Wycliffe Bible Translator’s Dinner Theater.
DAVID LIVINGSTONE (1813-1873)
The Great African Missionary Explorer
Famous Quotes & Missionary Mottos:“The mission of the church is missions!”
“Anywhere, provided it be forward!”
“This generation can only reach this generation.”
–David Livingstone
DID NOT YOUR FOREFATHERS KNOW?
A classic missions excerpt from David Livingstone’s Journal
“I was from the first struck by his intelligence, and by the special manner in which we felt drawn to each other. This remarkable man has not only embraced Christianity, but expounds its doctrine to his people . . .
On the first occasion in which I ever attempted to hold a public religious service, Cechele (the tribal chief and a new convert) remarked that it was the custom of his nation to put questions when any new subject was brought before them. He then inquired if my forefathers knew of a future judgment.
I replied in the affirmative, and bean to describe the scene of the Great White Throne, and Him who shall sit on it, from whose face the heaven and earth shall flee away.
“You startle me,” he replied; “these words make all my bones to shake; I have no more strength in me; but my forefathers were living at the same time your were, and how it is that they did not send them word about these terrible things sooner? They all passed away into darkness without knowing wither they were going.”
High School Bible/Missions Lesson
Kid-Friendly Resources
David Livingstone: Courageous Explorer (Heroes for Young Readers Series)
David Livingstone: Africa’s Trailblazers (Christian Heroes: Then & Now Series)
Wholesome Words website, Children’s Corner – David Livingstone
David Livingstone: Missionary to Africa (Faith Biography Series)
MISSIONARY MONOLOGUE DRAMA
Costume:
Khaka clothes, a safari-style helmet, a dark mustache, a few props (such as a rope over the shoulder, a machete, and a well-worn journal), and an Old-English/Scottish accentSetting:
As Livingstone enters, it seems he is in the middle of an exploration, slashing imaginary jungle leaves with his machete and breathing hard
LIVINGSTONE:
Whew! Getting through this jungle is quite an adventure–with so many valleys and mountains, fierce lions, and, ah yes, those dreadful mosquitoes! But I tell you, “The mission of the church is missions!”
I’m David Livingstone, and I have a heart for Africa. I’m a missionary explorer, and I like to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially in remote tribal areas.
It’s actually quite remarkable that I could get all the way here, since I was born into a humble family near Glasgow, Scotland. When I was a boy, I had to work in a textile mill from six o-clock in the morning until eight o’clock at night. That was hard! But I was a determined young lad. And do you know what I bought with my very first paycheck? A Latin grammar book! You see, I wanted to learn all about the world.
My family always went to church, and I was converted to Christ during my youth. Then a preacher named Robert Moffat (who is now my father-in-law) told me about his adventures in Africa. One time he said, “On a clear morning, the smoke of a thousand villages could be seen where the name of Christ had never been heard.” That really challenged me–so much so that I’ve spent my whole life traveling across the interior of Africa, covering over fourteen thousand miles and one-third of the continent! I’ve learned all kinds of things–about animals, plants, places, and people–but most importantly I’ve been able to share with unsaved people who had never heard of Jesus.
It’s been difficult at times. I’ve been attacked by a lion; I’ve been sick; and people close to me have died. but I must keep sharing God’s Good News of salvation, because This generation can only reach this generation.
And even now, I must go; and like I’ve written in my journal, I will go anywhere, provided it be forward!
Approximate time length: 2-3 minutes
