Written by Kim Solis, volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Oregon
Merriam-webster.com defines culture as: the customary beliefs, social forms, and material traits of a racial, religious, or social group, also: the characteristic features of everyday existence (such as diversions or a way of life) shared by people in a place or time.
These shared beliefs and social forms are what define the people and practices within each culture. They give the members a common bond, flavor, and spice. They bind us together and make us feel part of something greater. They often involve music, food, customs, and even ways of thinking, reasoning, and perceiving the world and the people around us. One way or another, we all belong to a culture.
But what happens when cultures clash? When my beliefs and social forms collide with those of another culture? Who is right? Which one will prevail?
Some culture clashes are classic, misunderstandings the norm. Every generation feels the generation before them doesn’t understand what they are going through. Foreigners think the new country they are residing in is full of crazy people who don’t know the correct way to do things or how to cook! Opposing political cultures are convinced the other is out to undermine the basic foundation of the motherland.
In order for two opposing or differing cultures to co-exist, there must be something even greater that bind the two together. If commonality cannot be reached, conflict escalates even to the point of violence.
Jesus Christ came to create a greater culture. Not a religious culture of dos and don’ts, as some believe, but rather a larger human culture where we are bound by our common image, that of our mutual Creator who Himself represents unity of three in one, where love, forgiveness, peace, and grace abound.
Genesis 1:26
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image…
Ephesians 2:14-19
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,
We are no longer older people and younger, Americans and Mexicans, democrats and republicans, Jews and Gentiles… we are now One in Christ.
This is just the message a divided world needs to hear.
Enjoy your culture, but let it not define you.
Embrace the greater human culture that God has blessed us with through Christ. He unites us all through His blood and sacrifice.