Cultural Bias in Biblical Critique of Cultural Examples
Biblical texts frequently critique cultural practices and attitudes that diverge from divine standards, often highlighting behaviors common in the ancient world that remain relevant for ethical consideration. For instance, the apostle Paul addresses the issue of believers proudly identifying with particular teachers, a practice common in Greek culture but deemed inconsistent with Christian unity [4]. This suggests a critique of cultural norms that foster division rather than communal harmony.
Another area of cultural critique involves idolatry and its associated practices. The book of Revelation uses the imagery of adultery to describe the worship of other gods, a theme also found in Old Testament texts like Exodus, Judges, and Hosea [6]. This spiritual "fornication" was often linked with physical fornication at idol feasts, as seen in the account of Israel with Midian, which is referenced in 1 Corinthians [3]. Partaking in such idol feasts was understood as having fellowship with "devils," contrasting sharply with partaking in the Lord's Supper [2].
The Bible also critiques cultural tendencies toward presumption and self-righteousness. Presumption is characterized as a trait of the wicked and Antichrist, manifesting in opposing God, willfully sinning, and spiritual pride [1]. Examples include the builders of Babel and those who esteem their own ways as right [1]. Similarly, the book of Psalms describes those who persuade themselves that God will not find their iniquity, leading to deceitful words and a rejection of righteous principles [8].
Hypocrisy is another cultural behavior scrutinized in the New Testament. In Galatians, some Jewish Christians are depicted as dissembling by living as if the law were necessary for justification, out of fear of others, despite knowing their Christian liberty [5]. This was not merely a matter of accommodating weaker consciences but touched upon the core tenets of the Gospel [5]. The concept of "reproach of Christ" in Hebrews refers to the suffering endured by the Church, which Christ identifies as His own [7]. This suggests that cultural rejection or scorn for Christian faith is a form of suffering shared with Christ [7].
The biblical critique of cultural examples often calls believers to exercise their own judgment, as seen in Paul's appeal to the Corinthians to weigh the force of his arguments regarding idol feasts [2]. This highlights a responsibility to discern and reject cultural practices that contradict biblical teachings.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Presumption — A characteristic of the wicked -- 2Pe 2:10. A characteristic of Antichrist -- 2Th 2:4. Exhibited in Opposing God. -- Job 15:25,26. Wilful commission of sin. -- Ro 1:32. Self-righteousness. -- Ho 12:8; Re 3:17. Spiritual pride. -- Isa 65:5; Lu 18:11. Esteeming our own ways right. -- Pr 12:15. Seeking precedence. -- Lu 14:7-11. Planning for the future. -- Lu 12:18; Jas 4:13. Pretending to prophecy. -- De 18:22. Pray to be kept from sins of -- Ps 19:13. Saints avoid -- Ps 131:1. Punishment for -- Nu 15:30; Re 18:7,8. Exemplified Builders of Babel. -- Ge 11”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:15: Appeal to their own powers of judgment to weigh the force of the argument that follows: namely, that as the partaking of the Lord's Supper involves a partaking of the Lord Himself, and the partaking of the Jewish sacrificial meats involved a partaking of the altar of God, and, as the heathens sacrifice to devils, to partake of an idol feast is to have fellowship with devils. We cannot divest ourselves of the responsibility of "judging" for ourselves. The weakness of private judgment is not an argument against its use, but its abuse. We should t”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 10:8: fornication--literally, Fornication was generally, as in this case (Num. 25:1-18), associated at the idol feasts with spiritual fornication, that is, idolatry. This all applied to the Corinthians (Co1 5:1, Co1 5:9; Co1 6:9, Co1 6:15, Co1 6:18; Co1 8:10). Balaam tempted Israel to both sins with Midian (Rev 2:14). Compare Co1 8:7, Co1 8:9, "stumbling-block," "eat . . . thing offered unto . . . idol." three and twenty thousand--in Num 25:9 "twenty and four thousand." If this were a real discrepancy, it would militate rather against inspiration of”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:4: 3:4 Proudly identifying oneself with a preferred teacher (see 1:12) was common in Greek culture, but it is not in keeping with the mind of Christ (3:5-9; cp. Matt 23:8-10).”
- Galatians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Galatians 2:13: the other--Greek, "the rest." Jews--Jewish Christians. dissembled likewise--Greek, "joined in hypocrisy," namely, in living as though the law were necessary to justification, through fear of man, though they knew from God their Christian liberty of eating with Gentiles, and had availed themselves of it already (Acts 11:2-17). The case was distinct from that in 1Co. 8:1-10:33; Rom. 14:1-23. It was not a question of liberty, and of bearing with others' infirmities, but one affecting the essence of the Gospel, whether the Gentiles are to be virtual”
- Revelation (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Revelation 17:2: 17:2 Adultery with her is a biblical image for serving other gods (see, e.g., Exod 34:12-16; Judg 2:17; Hos 2). • drunk by . . . her immorality: Drunkenness in Scripture often depicts nations that indulge in wanton and immoral behavior (see Rev 18:3, 9; Jer 25:27; 51:7; Lam 4:21; Ezek 23:33).”
- Hebrews (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Hebrews 11:26: Esteeming--Inasmuch as he esteemed. the reproach of Christ--that is, the reproach which falls on the Church, and which Christ regards as His own reproach, He being the Head, and the Church (both of the Old and New Testament) His body. Israel typified Christ; Israel's sufferings were Christ's sufferings (compare Co2 1:5; Col 1:24). As uncircumcision was Egypt's reproach, so circumcision was the badge of Israel's expectation of Christ, which Moses especially cherished, and which the Gentiles reproached Israel on account of. Christ's people's reproach”
- Psalms (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Psalms 36:2: This reflection detailed. until his iniquity--literally, "for finding his iniquity for hating"; that is, he persuades himself God will not so find it--"for hating" involving the idea of punishing. Hence his words of iniquity and deceit, and his bold rejection of all right principles of conduct. The climax is that he deliberately adopts and patronizes evil. The negative forms affirm more emphatically their contraries.”