Contextualization of Christian Worldview: Christ and Culture: Niebuhr vs. Yoder Introduction The next two modules address key issues in attempting to be in yet not of the world in the exercise of Christian discipleship in secular societies and cultures. The context of the discussion revolves around H. Richard Niebuhr's articulation of and responses to the challenges of balancing Christ and Culture. What Niebuhr called the "enduring problem" is perhaps more pronounced than ever before in these days of great diversity and increased interactions and conflicts of postmodern global cultures. The problem is involved in relations between loyalties to Christ and culture, church and state, faith and reason...[and] how the assumptions, values, perceptions, and understandings of society penetrate us and influence our understanding of who Christ is, what it means to follow him, and what the mission of the church is. (Stassen, Yeager, & Yoder, 1996, p. 10) Module 4 consists of a clear presentation of the teleological ethical perspective of Niebuhr, as well as his classical typology (and examples from church history) of distinct responses to the enduring problem of how Christians can or should live in a fallen world.
As stated in the opening chapter Dr. Dawn poses the following question, “...can we develop a theology of worship for the Church to flourish and grow in a turn-of-the century culture?” As church leaders brainstorm and search for ways to reach the masses, they must be cautious. As Dr. Dawn states, “When we allow our society to force us to “dumb down” the Church, we kill theological training, inhibit the forming of character, prevent appreciation for the rich gifts of the Church’s
In the 16th Century, the protest and reformation caused a split in the Christian Church. There were several underlined causes for the reformation. These causes include abusive papal authority, misinterpretation of the bible, sale of indulgences, and unhappiness and rejection of papal authority in Germany. An additional document that would further illustrate the underlying causes to the reformation would be a response by the church to Luthers charge that they are perverting scripture. According to the documents 4 and 10, an underlying cause to the reformation was the sale of Indulgences.
Scripture compels us to care for the weakest among us and in fact, the weak may be in a position to experience a relationship with Christ more intimately than the person distracted by the wealth of the material world. In this paper the author will summarize the major tenants of the Liberation Theology worldview, critically analyze the flaws of this theology, describe how one might share evangelical christianity with a proponent of this worldview and in conclusion, provide a lingering challenge to evangelicals everywhere. Liberation Theology offers a lens for looking at how Christian religion meets changing political and social climates. It is contextual and correcting. Jesus is not only a savior, but also a liberator.
Christianity Through the Centuries (Zondervan, 1996) 328 [ 18 ]. Dr. Brian Mattson. “Sympathy For The Devil” DR. Brain Mattson: The Website Journal (2014) www.drbrainmattson.com/journal/2014/3/31/sympathy-for-the-devil Accessed on 2/3/2015 [ 19 ]. Randall E. Otto “The Problem with Marcion: A Second-Century Heresy Continues to Infect the Church” Theology Matters Vol.
Christ and Culture This paper will seek to examine and evaluate closely some key historical models in which Christians have understood the relation of Christ to culture. The relationship between Christ and human culture as Scripture presents it. However, this essay is somewhat limited to Andrew Walls’ “pilgrim principle”[1]in his essay ”The Gospel as Prisoner and Liberator of Culture” and Niebuhr’s “Christ Against Culture”[2] view form his book Christ and Culture. This paper will also try to answer the question whether in light of the “pilgrim principle” Christians should adopt “Niebuhr’s “Christ Against Culture” view. In trying to answer the not-so-easy question above, the author will briefly refer to African Culture, a culture with which the writer is familiar and comfortable to discuss.
(Johnson, 2009) There is an unwritten code that religions have that tells the believer how to live, how to bring more in to the religion and what do if the person does not want to believe. (Johnson, 2009) The controversial element of religion is the centralization of authority or heads such priests, and pastors. These men and women are in charge of teaching,
Introduction One of the most potentially divisive doctrinal debates in the history of the church centers on the opposing doctrines of salvation known as Calvinism and Arminianism. All Evangelical Theologians agree that biblical doctrine is the most important, foundational doctrine of Christianity. Yet these same Evangelical Theologians have disagreed for centuries concerning the doctrines of Calvinism and Arminianism. In recent times there seems to be a great apathy and lackadaisicalness between the two. It is time they bring this doctrine out of the closet and back to the forefront and dust it off and once again research, discuss and come together with a resolution to the conflict in the theology of salvation.
Romans 11 teaches about the last days and what Christians can expect during these times. Earlier in Romans 8 Paul explains the foreknowledge of God, predestination and the election of the saints. The strong debate of Calvinism vs. Arminianism is found in this passage as well. Whether the believer was called or if they responded to the call of God, the ultimate goal of justification and glorification of the believer is the main point that Paul is trying to get across to the Roman Christians. Beginning in chapter 12 Paul discussed how Christians are to live.
Christianity is under attack not only by those within Christianity, but also by those in cults and other faiths. C.S. Lewis, who was one of the best-known apologists of the 20th century, said, To be ignorant and simple now--not to be able to meet the enemies on their [1]ground--would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defense but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered (The Weight of Glory, 50). 2 EXPERIENTIAL APOLOGETICS One form of apologetics is called “Experiential Apologetics”.