Avoiding Cultural Appropriation in Biblical Analogies and Examples
The biblical concept of avoiding cultural appropriation is rooted in numerous Old Testament commands against adopting the practices of surrounding nations, particularly in matters of worship and morality. These prohibitions are often framed as warnings against idolatry and syncretism, emphasizing the distinctiveness of God's people and their covenant relationship with Him [1, 5, 8].
One of the clearest expressions of this principle appears in Deuteronomy 12:30, where the Israelites are warned, "take care so that you are not ensnared into imitating them after their being destroyed from before you, and so that you not enquire concerning their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods, and thus I myself want to do also’" [1]. This verse directly addresses the danger of adopting foreign religious customs. Similarly, Leviticus 18 introduces a series of moral and cultic laws by instructing the Israelites not to imitate the customs and practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites, but instead to adhere to the Lord's ordinances, statutes, and judgments [5]. John Gill, in his introduction to Leviticus 18, highlights this general directive against imitation [5].
The prophet Hosea also echoes this sentiment, urging Israel, "Rejoice not - Do not imitate the heathens, nor serve their idols. Do not prostitute thy soul and body in practicing their impurities" [8]. Adam Clarke interprets this as a direct warning against adopting the idolatrous and immoral practices of other nations [8]. The call to "remember these" in Isaiah 44:21, referring to the gross idolatries of others, is interpreted by John Gill as an exhortation for God's people to "loath and abhor them, shun and avoid them, and not imitate them, and do the same things" [11]. This suggests that remembering the errors of others serves as a deterrent against similar appropriation.
Beyond explicit prohibitions, the concept extends to avoiding close associations that could lead to adopting foreign practices. Exodus 34:15 warns against making covenants with other nations, specifically mentioning the risk of their daughters going astray and leading others to idolatry [10]. Abraham Ibn Ezra notes the similarity to Exodus 23:32, which also forbids making covenants with other peoples or their gods [10]. This highlights the concern that cultural integration could lead to religious compromise.
In the New Testament, similar warnings appear, though often framed in terms of avoiding "myths" and "endless genealogies" that lead to speculation rather than faith [2, 4]. Paul instructs Timothy "not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith" [2]. The Geneva Bible translation of Titus 1:14 similarly warns against "taking heede to Iewish fables and commandements of men, that turne away from the trueth" [3]. While these passages address internal deviations within the faith community, they share the underlying principle of rejecting practices or narratives that distract from or corrupt the truth of God's revelation.
The apostle Paul further develops the theme of avoiding practices that could lead to spiritual compromise, particularly in the context of idolatry. In 1 Corinthians 10:14, he urges believers to "flee from idolatry" [6]. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown interpret this as a warning against "tampering with it by doubtful acts, such as eating idol meats on the plea of Christian liberty," emphasizing that "the only safety is in wholly shunning whatever borders on idolatry" [6]. This extends the principle beyond direct worship to actions that might be perceived as participating in or endorsing idolatrous practices, even if one's personal intention is different. The concern here is not just personal purity but also the potential for causing others to stumble [7].
The concept of not being "unequally yoked" in 2 Corinthians 6:14 also relates to avoiding cultural appropriation, particularly in relationships. This passage, interpreted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, draws an analogy from Old Testament laws forbidding the mixing of diverse kinds, such as not plowing with an ox and an ass together (Deuteronomy 22:10) or marrying with the heathen (Deuteronomy 7:3) [9]. The commentary explains that "the believer and unbeliever are utterly heterogeneous," and this principle extends to "too close intercourse with unbelievers in other relations also" [9]. This suggests that deep integration with cultures whose values and practices are fundamentally opposed to biblical principles can lead to spiritual compromise and a blurring of distinctiveness.
The consistent thread throughout these biblical texts and their interpretations is the imperative for God's people to maintain their distinct identity and practices, avoiding the adoption of foreign customs, especially those related to worship, morality, and worldview, that could lead to spiritual corruption or compromise their witness. This is not merely about avoiding specific rituals but about cultivating a way of life that reflects God's character and commands, rather than conforming to the patterns of the surrounding world [1, 5, 8, 9].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 12:30 (LEB) — ⌞take care⌟ so that you are not ensnared ⌞into imitating them⌟ after their being destroyed from ⌞before you⌟, and so that you not enquire concerning their gods, ⌞saying⌟, ‘How did these nations serve their gods, and thus ⌞I myself⌟ want to do also.’”
- I Timothy “I Timothy 1:4 (LEB) — and not to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause useless speculations rather than God’s plan that is by faith.”
- Titus “Titus 1:14 (Geneva1599) — And not taking heede to Iewish fables and commandements of men, that turne away from the trueth.”
- 1 Timothy “1 Timothy 1:4 (NASB) — nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.”
- Leviticus (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Leviticus 18 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO LEVITICUS 18 In this chapter the Israelites are directed in general not to imitate the customs and practices of the Egyptians and Canaanites, but to keep the ordinances, statutes, and judgments of the Lord, Lev 18:1; and they are instructed particularly to avoid incestuous marriages, Lev 18:6; carnal copulation with a menstruous woman, Lev 18:19; adultery, Lev 18:20; letting any of their seed pass through the fire to Molech, Lev 18:21; sodomy, Lev 18:22; and bestiality, Lev 18:23; and they are deterred from these things by observing t”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:14: Resuming the argument, Co1 10:7; Co1 8:9-10. flee--Do not tamper with it by doubtful acts, such as eating idol meats on the plea of Christian liberty. The only safety is in wholly shunning whatever borders on idolatry (Co2 6:16-17). The Holy Spirit herein also presciently warned the Church against the idolatry, subsequently transferred from the idol feast to the Lord's Supper itself, in the figment of transubstantiation.”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:28: if any man--a weak Christian at table, wishing to warn his brother. offered in sacrifice unto idols--The oldest manuscripts omit "unto idols." At a heathen's table the expression, offensive to him, would naturally be avoided. for conscience' sake--not to cause a stumbling-block to the conscience of thy weak brother (Co1 8:10-12). for the earth is the Lord's, &c.--not in the oldest manuscripts.”
- Hosea (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hosea 9:1: Rejoice not - Do not imitate the heathens, nor serve their idols. Do not prostitute thy soul and body in practicing their impurities. Hitherto thou hast acted as a common harlot, who goes even to the common threshing places; connects herself with the meanest, in order to get a hire even of the grain there threshed out.”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 6:14: Be not--Greek, "Become not." unequally yoked--"yoked with one alien in spirit." The image is from the symbolical precept of the law (Lev 19:19), "Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind"; or the precept (Deu 22:10), "Thou shalt not plough with an ox and an ass together." Compare Deu 7:3, forbidding marriages with the heathen; also Co1 7:39. The believer and unbeliever are utterly heterogeneous. Too close intercourse with unbelievers in other relations also is included (Co2 6:16; Co1 8:10; Co1 10:14). fellowship--literally, "”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Exodus 34:15: LEST THOU MAKE A COVENANT. This is similar to Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods (Ex. 23:32). 167 See note 163. Our verse adds, lest thou make a covenant…and their daughters go astray 168 These verses have no parallel in Ex. 23:32. Hence I.E.’s comment. as an explanation.”
- Isaiah (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Isaiah 44:21: Remember these, O Jacob, O Israel,.... Remember these persons, these idolaters before spoken of; or these things, the gross idolatries they were guilty of, and loath and abhor them, shun and avoid them, and not imitate them, and do the same things: or remember that this was formerly your case, and admire the distinguishing grace of God, in turning you from idols to serve him: for by Jacob and Israel may be meant the spiritual Israel of God, or those from among the Gentiles called by the grace of God, and incorporated into Christian churches; see Isa 44:5, for thou ”