Avoiding Cultural Relativism in Evangelism and Discipleship
Avoiding Cultural Relativism in Evangelism and Discipleship
The concept of avoiding cultural relativism in evangelism and discipleship is rooted in the biblical call to remain faithful to the Gospel message while engaging with diverse cultural contexts. The apostle James warns against showing favoritism towards certain individuals based on their social status or cultural background, emphasizing the need for impartiality in Christian fellowship [1]. This principle is crucial in evangelism and discipleship, as it ensures that the message of Christ is not compromised by cultural biases.
The writer of Hebrews exhorts believers to "press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God" [2]. This call to maturity involves moving beyond elementary teachings and embracing a deeper understanding of the faith. In the context of evangelism and discipleship, this means being aware of the cultural nuances that can either hinder or facilitate the spread of the Gospel.
One of the key challenges in avoiding cultural relativism is the tendency to be "carried about with divers and strange doctrines" [3]. This can occur when cultural practices or traditions are mistakenly elevated to the status of essential Christian doctrine. John Gill's commentary on Hebrews 13:9 highlights the importance of discerning between the uniform doctrine of Scripture and the varied and often contradictory teachings of men.
In the context of evangelism, the work of an evangelist involves preaching Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world [4]. This message is not culturally relative, but rather a universal call to salvation. Adam Clarke's commentary on 2 Timothy 4:5 emphasizes the need for evangelists to remain faithful to this message, even in the face of affliction or cultural opposition.
The relationship between Christianity and other religious or cultural practices is also a crucial consideration. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Hebrews 13:10 notes that Christianity and Judaism are distinct, and that those who serve the Jewish tabernacle have no right to partake in the spiritual meat of the Gospel [5]. This highlights the need for clarity and discernment in evangelism and discipleship, lest the message of Christ be compromised by cultural or religious syncretism.
Furthermore, the biblical warning against allowing the "light which is in thee be not darkness" [6] serves as a caution against cultural relativism in discipleship. John Gill's commentary on Luke 11:33 emphasizes the importance of attending to the light of the Gospel and avoiding the neglect or despising of it.
In dealing with cultural relativism, it is also essential to avoid "foolish questions and genealogies and strife and debates about the law" [7]. Matthew Henry's commentary on Titus 3:9 notes that such debates are unprofitable and can hinder the progress of the Gospel. Instead, the focus should be on teaching that is "good and profitable for men."
Sources
- James “James 2:1 (NASB) — My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism.”
- Hebrews “Hebrews 6:1 (NASB) — Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:9: Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines,.... The word "divers" may denote the variety and multitude of other doctrines; referring either to the various rites and ceremonies of the law, or to the traditions of the elders, or to the several doctrines of men, whether Jews or Gentiles; whereas the doctrine of the Scriptures, of Christ, and his apostles, is but one; it is uniform, and all of a piece; and so may likewise denote the disagreement of other doctrines with the perfections of God, the person and offices of Christ, the Scriptures of truth, the anal”
- 2 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Timothy 4:5: But watch thou in all things - It is possible to be overtaken in a fault, to neglect one's duty, and to lose one's soul. Watching unto prayer prevents all these evils. Endure afflictions - Let no sufferings affright thee; nor let the dread of them either cause thee to abandon the truth, or relax in thy zeal for the salvation of men. Do the work of an evangelist - That is: Preach Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world; for this, and this alone, is doing the work of an evangelist, or preacher of the glad tidings of peace and salvation by Christ. An angel f”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 13:10: Christianity and Judaism are so totally distinct, that "they who serve the (Jewish) tabernacle," have no right to eat our spiritual Gospel meat, namely, the Jewish priests, and those who follow their guidance in serving the ceremonial ordinance. He says, "serve the tabernacle," not "serve IN the tabernacle." Contrast with this servile worship ours. an altar--the cross of Christ, whereon His body was offered. The Lord's table represents this altar, the cross; as the bread and wine represent the sacrifice offered on it. Our meat, which we by faith sp”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 11:33: Take heed therefore,.... By attending to the light of the Gospel, shining in the ministration of it, and do not neglect and despise it: that the light which is in thee be not darkness; lest being given up to a judicial blindness and hardness of heart, not only the light of nature, which the Jews had in common with the Gentiles, but even that notional light and knowledge of divine things, which they had by being favoured with an external revelation, the writings of the Old Testament, should be lost.”
- Titus (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Titus 3:9: Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with some other directions. Observe, I. That the apostle's meaning might be more clear and full, and especially fitted to the time and state of things in Crete, and the many judaizers among them, he tells Titus what, in teaching, he should shun, Tit 3:9. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared, such as make for improvement in useful knowledge; but idle and foolish enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edif”