Good thoughts Haitabu-haithabu wrote:The Christian faith faithfully lived out over generations will influence the surrounding culture - if long enough, to the point where its host culture may consider itself to be "Christian". This was once the story of Europe. I don't think it is a bad thing in itself. I believe that something like this is a natural part of the Kingdom's leavening process which Jesus described.
The danger is that the culture may supersede the faith to the point where people don't think of Christianity as something which is a matter of personal belief or commitment.
Elsewhere, believers in a hostile or indifferent social setting may develop a subculture of their own. I don't thing this is a bad thing either because you need a counterculture to stand against the false values of the world. In Muslim countries where the religion is the culture, such a subculture is a positive requirement for sustainable Christian communities. This was the experience of the Dutch Mennonite missionaries in Indonesia.
The danger if it goes too far is that Christians will withdraw into a sort of tribalism and lose access for outreach into the surrounding society. There has to remain some cultural common ground between them and nonbelievers.
Couple things come to mind- makes me think of the Amish community in my own county who are very isolated- yet- now- the English are coming to them (for their produce auction) and so they are forced to 'mix' somewhat - many come from around the world these days to see how the Amish live- I see some people write here & there "they are the only 'true' Christians left' " type of comments- not sure what exactly they are basing that on- I have pondered this-
Some of their thoughts pertain to that they do not 'push' their religion on others, they live it.
Also considering Apostle Paul here:
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
So where does Christianity draw the 'lines' pertaining to the above teaching of Apostle Paul? I know for example, AMish have taken the extreme on this- coming out from among them and being separate-
Would love to read the article- it makes me mindful of Denny Kenaston's desire to 'stir up the gifts' within some of the plain circles to use their talents for God and not be known for their great craftsmanship and cooking-
Truly Christ's intention was to take the Gospel and affect the world with it that the world would be saved- unfortunately the world seems to have infiltrated the Church quite a bit to where there's not a very real distinction in these days we live- as Sudsy points out, there are many many volunteers and activists in humanitarian efforts, that know not Christ but just want to help human beings- (yet we consider- we are all made in the image of God).