An Analysis of Christ and Culture by H. Richard Niebuhr - Paper Example

Introduction

For many years, there has been a major argument on the conceptual approach between Christ and culture. Most of the arguments try to analyze how Christians relate to society. In the book, “Christ and Culture,” by H. Richard Niebuhr examines the 2000 years of Christian in responses to culture (Niebuhr, 1951). As a way of explaining the concept, Niebuhr views the notion in several basic ways such as Christ above Culture, which tries to examine the two notions (Niebuhr, 1951). The essay summarizes and analyzes the chapter, “Christ above Culture” in accordance with Niebuhr’s understanding.

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“Christ above Culture”

The chapter, “Christ above Culture”, analyses and address the impact of ‘Christ against Culture’ and ‘the Christ of Culture’ in regards to the current life. According to Niebuhr, a large number of Christians adopt and believes in the concept of ‘Christ above Culture’ (Niebuhr, 1951). The approach possesses a major question on whether Christian should reject or use culture as part of their life. Niebuhr illustrates that church is a community that brings individuals together, and this influences their thinking (Niebuhr, 1951).

Despite the two principles operating at the same level, most Christians have developed irrational thinking, which tends to reject the notion of culture. Due to the concept, a large number of Christians have embraced anticultural radicals (Niebuhr, 1951). Niebuhr says, “The great majority movement in Christianity, which we may call the church of the centre, has refused to take either the position of the anticultural radicals or that of the accommodators of Christ to culture” (Niebuhr, 1951). In this case, the author illustrates that the notion has been a key aspect that has triggered the Christ culture conflict.

Christianity believes that Jesus Christ is the son of God, who created the earth. As such, Christ is the head of everything that happens in the earth occurs due to His power. Christians are supposed to be faithful and obey his rules (Niebuhr, 1951). The author says, “Almighty Creator, nor to an author of nature separate from Jesus Christ, but to Godin- Christ and Christ-in-God-and that this obedience must be rendered in the concrete, the actual life of natural…” (Niebuhr, 1951). The approach rejects the power of culture in the real world. Therefore, Christians view the existence of the world is bounded on God’s favor. As such, obeying and respecting the rule of God is one of the divine requirements.

The author illustrates that there is a need for synthesis and identify that human nature is different from the divine role (Niebuhr, 1951). Therefore, nature has its principles and ideas, which governs how people live. As such, both Christ and culture have a close connection with nature, and hence, they are supposed to be taken based on the positions (Niebuhr, 1951). As such, Christians are supposed to be so careful on the side they base their support as it may trigger to conflict between nature and grace.

Additionally, the author illustrates that Christianity is linked with a particular harmony of conviction regarding the world and the radical nature of sin. Biblically, Christians are the temple of God, and they are required to keep themselves pure (Niebuhr, 1951). However, some Christians believe that engaging cultural aspects subject them to sin, which hinder their relationship with God (Niebuhr, 1951). Instead, the author emphasizes the need to understand the importance of various aspects of society.

The analysis should be integrated with God’s reading, thus improving human nature. The approach discourages Christianity from generalizing things, thus hindering their ability to accept some crucial aspects of culture, and this will control from enslaving themselves (Niebuhr, 1951). The author says, “…the temporal and the eternal, law and grace, into one system of thought and practice, tends, perhaps inevitably, to the absolutizing of what is relative, the reduction of the infinite to a finite form, and the materialization of the dynamic. It is one thing to assert that there is a law of God inscribed in the very structure of the creature…” (Niebuhr, 1951). In this case, the application of both Christ and Culture will assist individuals to create a good relationship, thus improving the quality of life.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the conceptual approach about Christ and Culture has been a critical aspect revolving around in modern society. A large number of Christians believes that Christ is above culture. Most Christians view the concept of culture as sinful, and this has affected their interaction on social aspects. However, Niebuhr emphases that there is a need to bring synthesis, both Christ and Culture. Through the aspect, Christians will manage to effectively embrace the good aspects of culture and supplement with the Bible understanding.

The author illustrates that there is a need for synthesis and identify that human nature is different from the divine role. Hence, nature has its values and ideas, which governs how people live. The approach will minimize the Christ and culture aspects, thus promoting a better relationship, which improves the quality of life.

Reference

Niebuhr, R. H. (1951). Christ above culture. Christ and culture. New York: Harper and Row.