Jerram Barrs on Christianity and Culture

Courtesy of Christian Heritage, below are the headline points from some notes of lectures on Christianity and culture, given by Jerram Barrs in 2003.

Lecture 1: General Principles

Introduction: A Definition of Culture
‘The totality of socially transmitted behavior patterns, arts, beliefs, institutions, and all other products of human work and thought characteristic of a community or population’ (Readers’ Digest).

‘The concepts, habits, skills, art, instruments, institutions, etc. of a given people in a given period’ (Webster Unabridged).

1. Affirmation
All cultures reveal the image of God, for culture is the expression of dominion.

2. Sober Realism
All cultures reflect the reality of the fall.

3. Warning
All cultures express the religious commitments of the human heart.

4. Challenge
All need to let Scripture sit in judgment, not only over our personal sins, but also over our cultures.

5. Transformation
Cultures are to be transformed by the faith and obedience of believers.

Lecture 2: Principles of Operation

1. Non-Identification
Never identify a particular culture as truly Christian.

2. Humility
The importance of personal humility.

3. Identity
Find your identity primarily in your relationship with Christ, and in your membership in the kingdom of God, rather than in your own culture.

4. Appreciation
Be committed to enter into another culture and to express appreciation for and enjoyment of its glories

5. Incarnation
Work at personally adopting cultural practices wherever possible.

6. Bridges
Search and pray for the wisdom to discern what in the culture may be used as bridges for the gospel.

7. Counting the Cost
What must you clearly not do, even if is an important part of a culture's way of life, and even though your refusal to participate may bring discredit on you and, perhaps, on the gospel?

8. A Sharp Sword
Never sheathe the cutting edge of the gospel which condemns certain cultural ideas and practices.

9. Hardness of Heart
Recognition of the hardness of the human heart will shape the way we challenge the problem areas of a culture.

10. Cultural Embodiment
Encourage new believers to express their Christian faith in the forms of their own culture.