How big a part does the overriding culture play in how we practice our Christianity?

What made me think of this question. There was a gruesome murder of 4 in a small town 25 miles from Tallahassee this week, a Mother, two daughters and a nephew. A boyfriend of the oldest daughter killed them - apparently an argument. They are black. The reports give the impression that the Mother was a very spiritual person, being a Pentacostal minister. Other relatives and family friends spoke of her as being a spiritual leader in the family and community. All four who were shot had different last names and most of the family had different names from their parents or siblings. It was even mentioned that the Mother's boyfriend was planning on coming over for the night. All in all, it appears as if sexuality played no part in their religious life. From talking with some black coworkers who are serious about their Christian faith, not mainline nominal Christians in name only, these black coworkers appear to have different practices on sexuality in their Christian walk - at least inconsistencies. It is probably a cultural thing, but how can that be?

Now, I wonder two things.

1) When missionaries go into different cultural settings and present the gospel, do the ones receiving salvation still hang on to their cultural appendages. Would western Christians be shocked?

2) Which might be more foretelling is what cultural appendages do we hang on to. If we could remove ourselves from our station in life and be a regenerated fly on the wall, what would we see? What would others from different cultures frown upon in the way we conduct our lives.

Last edited by John_C; Fri Apr 23, 2004 3:56 PM.
John Chaney

"having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith . . ." Colossians 2:7