What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (Full Version)

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Brachah -> What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 8:38:46 AM)

i think this can be an intersting topic.
n i want to collect as much opinions as possible.

christian faith means a religion or something, connected with christians only.

but christian culture means the western culture. it includes all the people in the world who is perhaps affected by the western culture.
also what is the core components of western/christian culture?
tks



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 8:52:19 AM)

Historically, the West originated in the northern and eastern Mediterranean with ancient Greece and ancient Rome. Over time, their associated empires grew first to the east and south conquering many older civilizations, and later to the north and west to include Central and Western Europe. Between the fall of the Western Roman Empire and the Renaissance, the West experienced a period of relative decline, known as the Middle ages, which included the Dark ages and the Crusades...

Since the Renaissance, the West evolved beyond the influence of the ancient Greeks and Romans due to the growth of Western European empires, and particularly the globe-spanning British Empire of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries...

In a religious context, some would define the Abrahamic religions of Judaism and Christianity as 'Western'...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_world



URForgiven -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 8:57:59 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brachah

i think this can be an intersting topic.
n i want to collect as much opinions as possible.

christian faith means a religion or something, connected with christians only.

but christian culture means the western culture. it includes all the people in the world who is perhaps affected by the western culture.
also what is the core components of western/christian culture?
tks


'Things' cannot be Christian, only people can. There is no Christian culture, nor Christian nations, nor Christian companies.

People have Christian faith, and that faith can and does influence culture. It is a numbers game, and as the number of Christians diminishes, so does the influence of their faith.

It is wrong to categorize western culture as 'Christian', even though, at one time it may have been dominated by such. We will and do have western culture today, but there is very little about it that is Christian.



themaestro -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 9:04:50 AM)

Christian faith is the saving knowledge of and accepting of the Blood shed at Cavalry. It is walking, talking, living for and giving your whole devotion to the Lord. Christian culture is the monastic hiding in a cave mentality that says we should only read Christian books, listen to Christian music, watch Christian tv, have Christian friends, speak creepy Christianese, and sequester our children in youth groups with no outside unsaved friends ever. It basically says bless us four and no more.



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 9:17:28 AM)

yes, some problem there...

actually, if we also consider the concept of western civilization, it may include politics, ecnomics, society, science, education....
so, i want to know how the christian faith is related to western civilization?



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 9:35:47 AM)

traditionally, perhaps christian faith = western civilization = western culture. but nowadays how many westerners are traditional? :)



JimboFletch -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 9:40:50 AM)

Christian faith = a relationship with God through Jesus and with other believers - it's family.

Christian culture = external trappings that may or may not even involve God. Example, the Christmas season is a big deal in Christian culture but many, many unbelieving participants, various symbols, and numerous practices have nothing to do with celebrating the birth of Christ.



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 9:52:37 AM)

the word christianese is very creative. :)



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 9:55:48 AM)

quote:

but there is very little about it that is Christian.


can anybody explain this more pls??



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:07:53 AM)

there is another concept : christian secularism.
we discuss this. it doesnt mean we promote this.
let's have some analysis n reasoning.

for example positive movement, it was started by christians, but now, most people in this movement are purposely avoiding mentioning christianity as a "religion".



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:32:07 AM)

another concept is: ecumenical movement.
it seems when ecumenism goes extreme, it wants to combine together all denominations, all religions, all beliefs... "love" everybody, unite everybody, praise everybody. at last it = humanism.

(today i find wall n discussions disappear on the largest christian group on facebook. )

expressing different points of views perhaps are good. over-heated arguements are pretty boring to me. :)



sparkleingsnow -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:35:09 AM)

quote:

Original: Brachah

quote:

but there is very little about it that is Christian.


can anybody explain this more pls??


Christmas is the time we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. However Christmas is seen in much of Western culture as a time that "Santa Claus" brings presents to children, lights, music, shopping for gifts for others, a big meal, family get-to-gathers,ect. A lot of people celebrate without understanding what they are celebrateing. Many don't even believe in Jesus.



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:43:37 AM)

another concept: relativism or truth relativism.
they are all fm the western culture, right? then there is really very little christian thing left.
i dont judge anyway.



countrygal7008 -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:47:14 AM)

Christian faith, is faith in the One who created and who saves. It eminates from Him and is possible only because of Him. "we love Him because He first loved us". Faith is in His love, that was great enough to send His son (a part of Himself), to give up all the glories of His Heavenly realm which were rightly His, come to earth and voluntarily sacrifice His life for all of us, none of whom deserved such a sacrifice, nor ever even could deserve it.

Christian culture is everything else. All of the teachings, all of the trappings. Some given of God through His Word and His Spirit, some given of man, which should be examined and may be found wanting.

I think you will find many different answers to your questions, Brachah. Where is the truth? The truth is that the most important part is God. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His love toward His undeserving creation.



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:47:18 AM)

quote:

A lot of people celebrate without understanding what they are celebrateing. Many don't even believe in Jesus.


it's better they still celebrate. how many already forget easter? :)



sparkleingsnow -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:47:22 AM)

No, I wouldn't agree that there is very little christian left. There are may christians, strong in they're faith, who serve the one true God. He is the focal point of our lifes.

Sadly, much of western culture does not reflect that however.



davelinde -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:52:15 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: URForgiven
It is wrong to categorize western culture as 'Christian', even though, at one time it may have been dominated by such. We will and do have western culture today, but there is very little about it that is Christian.


quote:

ORIGINAL: themaestro
Christian culture is the monastic hiding in a cave mentality that says we should only read Christian books, listen to Christian music, watch Christian tv, have Christian friends, speak creepy Christianese, and sequester our children in youth groups with no outside unsaved friends ever. It basically says bless us four and no more.


I do not see anything wrong with identifying a link between Christian teachings and culture and categorizing a thing as "Christian". You do, of course, need to be clear about what you mean when you make that categorization (eg the point of the OP).

I would not classify the examples above as a Christian culture though, rather I'd call that a Christian SUB-culture. The monastic culture was a real influence on society so maybe that's a real cultural phenomena. But the other stereotype is not that big a societal influence I'd say.

My first thoughts on this include:

western science and medicine - working on the presumption of the creator as described in Genesis

also the concept of human beings as "image bearers", the 10 commandments, and the motivation to explore the world to evangelize it and influential Christian concepts.

I am not arguing that all in a "Christian culture" behave as believing Christians should behave, just that the teachings of Christianity have an influence on the surrounding culture that can be categorized.

I think the opposite is also true (and concerning). A culture influenced by an atheistic world view can be identified and categorized.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:53:25 AM)

The same is true of Easter. It is the day we celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection. But those who do not know the Lord just see it as a day the "easter bunny" brings gifts to children, to eat candy, have a big meal, ect.



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 10:57:22 AM)

quote:

I think you will find many different answers to your questions, Brachah. Where is the truth? The truth is that the most important part is God. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His love toward His undeserving creation.


true, i have no doubt of this.
but i am talking about the relation or difference: culture vs faith.



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 11:04:35 AM)

quote:



I am not arguing that all in a "Christian culture" behave as believing Christians should behave, just that the teachings of Christianity have an influence on the surrounding culture that can be categorized.

I think the opposite is also true (and concerning). A culture influenced by an atheistic world view can be identified and categorized.


agree.



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 11:04:58 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brachah

quote:

A lot of people celebrate without understanding what they are celebrateing. Many don't even believe in Jesus.


it's better they still celebrate. how many already forget easter? :)



I disagree. It is not better that they celebrate a falsehood. Christmas should be celebrated as and only as a day of celebrating the birth of our savior. But through greed and opportunism, our western culture has turned it into a commercial holiday which tells us to spend beyond our means or we don't love our family.

Regarding Easter, another sad representation of what this holiday is about. It is not about an extremely large rabbit hopping around passing out candy. What it is, is a celebration of new beginnings, thanks to the resurrection of our Lord, and his defeat of death. Through his victory, we can have a new beginning.



sparkleingsnow -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 11:09:17 AM)

quote:

Original: Brachah

christian faith means a religion or something, connected with christians only.


Christian faith doesn't just mean a religion.
Christian faith is based on a one on one relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God. He came to earth, died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, and rose again.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.



SavedByGraceMD -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 11:09:57 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Brachah

quote:

I think you will find many different answers to your questions, Brachah. Where is the truth? The truth is that the most important part is God. God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His love toward His undeserving creation.


true, i have no doubt of this.
but i am talking about the relation or difference: culture vs faith.


Faith vs Culture-

The problem is that when it comes to Christian faith and Christian culture, our faith should influence our culture, but our culture should never influence our faith. Our culture should conform to our faith and not the other way around. Then I don't think we would be having this discussion.



Brachah -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 11:20:38 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: sparkleingsnow

quote:

Original: Brachah

christian faith means a religion or something, connected with christians only.


Christian faith doesn't just mean a religion.
Christian faith is based on a one on one relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the Son of God. He came to earth, died on the cross to pay the price for our sins, and rose again.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.


yes, this is also what my church tells me every sunday, n whenever, whereever u pick up a christian leaflet or book.
anyway i am not here to argue. i mean at least the world regards christianity a religion.
n also i think christian theory study can make religions comparisons (including christianity).
(i am tired already!:)



sparkleingsnow -> RE: What is the difference between christian faith & christain culture? (4/22/2008 11:24:37 AM)

quote:

Original: Brachah

but i am talking about the relation or difference: culture vs faith.


As stated by others, our faith should influence our culture. And it does, but we are not a culture of one faith. Our culture is made up of Christians, atheist, and several other religons. Thus the term "melting pot".



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