RE: [Worship] Counterpoint to Multicultural part III and guidelines for multicultural expression

["Chaucer" <chaucer@nervm.nerdc.ufl.edu>]

Thanks for your thesis and discussion. I think you have some good points. I
think, though, you have overlooked some things that you should consider.
Please consider the following:

All activities considered "cultural" are activities that have origins. Some
of the activities are composed of ideas and expressions from multiple
origins. Many if not most of these origins are pagan. For example, the
"cultural" activities of many groups referenced in the Bible were off limits
for the chosen people of God. In fact, one cannot read the Old or New
Testament without seeing the prohibitions of intermingling with other
cultures for the reason that the culture was founded upon sin or idolatry,
or have practices that are detrimental to character and walk of the
Yahweh-Jesus follower. The Bible is counter-culture through and through.
Everywhere, you either see "stay away from that culture" or "repent and turn
yourselves away from that culture." Nowhere does the Bible affirm a mixing
of all world views or all worlds. There are other reasons to explore SOME
cultural expression that might be useful, and it is vitally important to use
and explore the differing Judeo-Christian cultures and expressions of
worship world-wide, so long as they are indeed good and acceptable to God.
This is true because they express a more complete picture of our
relationship with God than our own expression alone is capable of...

One cannot escape the sometimes painful reality that all culture that has
its origins in paganism, is pagan. In other words, if I might minister in
Haiti, it would be an afront to God for me to "appreciate" and incorporate
cultural worship forms that are rooted in Voodoo, even though the present
expression might not have anything to do with Voodoo per se. It would also
be an afront to God to allow the ministry of dance to incorporate Hatian
dance in our worship service, because the Hatian dance forms have evolved
from Voodoo rituals. Likewise, a cultural expression rooted in African Sun
worship is not acceptable in the church even though the present expression
might not be in itself, an expression of worshipping the sun... and a dance
that incorporates cultural aspects of an American Indian rain dance is not
acceptable...and so on.

The balance is to find the cultural expressions that are powerful examples
and expressions of the Good News God has given, or our response to it. I use
the following guidelines:

1. Is the expression Biblical- meaning is it one that the Bible affirms
explicitly? If so, then it is acceptable no matter what the current culture
thinks. For example, all legitimate expressions of worship exemplified as
acceptable in the Bible are acceptable in church even though some might be
offended by them for whatever reason.
2. Is the expression sinful- meaning does it express ideas contrary to God's
self-revelation?
3. Does the expression bring glory to God, or glory to man? - Are we
learning and appreciating African customs and heritage, or are we
worshipping God. What's the agenda? Is our identity to be known through our
ethnic culture or is our identity to be known through repentance and
humility?
4. Is the expression necessary- meaning, is it useful for communicating
God's truths, or for communicating our love, thanksgiving, etc of Him. Is it
something that enriches our understanding or worship of God? Does it impel
others to worship?
5. Is the expression rooted in idolatrous culture? Meaning, is the
expression a version of that created in contempt of God, or that created to
worship something other than God.

It is true that expression can be neutral. It is NOT true, however, that ALL
expression can be neutral and therefore used in church or to glorify God.
Some expression is inherently not neutral. I am sure you can think of many
expressions, while cultural, would be an afront to God no matter how it is
used in church. I sure can, and they would be inappropriate for me to even
describe in this forum.

IHST,
Geoffrey M. Williams, M. Div. PTS



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