Page 3 - Christ and Culture Textbook

Christ and Culture
By Sandwell Zgambo, M.Div.

Study Section 1: Introduction to Christ and Culture

1.1 Connect

Have you ever thought about Christian living and the dynamics of Culture shifts? What do you
think of when you hear the word culture? How does the Bible impact our culture? Church
history reveals that one of the endless scuffles of Christianity is with culture. Should we stand
inside culture? Stand outside Culture? Should we Ignore Culture and become isolated from it?
Should we worry ourselves with attempting to transform it? Many Christians are quick to
stand and speak out on popular issues that do not coast them anything. Believers are unable
to move out of their comfort zone to confront sin in their culture. Why are so many Christians content
to sit down and stay quiet on controversial issues that threatens the gospel? How can Christians live life
that is pleasing to God in the world that is ungodly? As followers of Christ should we be compelled to
confront unbiblical beliefs? How many times have you put the glory of God at stake because you were
not bold enough to live out the gospel in the worldly culture? The goal of this course study is to call us
to a apologetic, compassionate but courageous response on the battle lines in our culture with the
gospel. This course is aimed toward helping one another think through how to apply the Bible
consistently in our culture in such a way that we’re able to live and speak the gospel clearly to our
culture. Let’s find out….

1.2 Objectives

1. The student should be able to discuss the accurate Biblical principles related to the practical
ministry (Knowledge and understanding)

2. The student should be able to critically evaluate Cultural beliefs from theological,
philosophical and cultural perspectives. (Reflection and Critique)

3. The student should be able to explain a Christian response to the essential cultural dilemmas of the
day and how to implement a pattern of moral decent behavior in personal life. (Knowledge and practice)

4. The student should be able to desire a life that conforms to the will of God as revealed in Christ, the
Holy Scriptures and Illuminated by the Holy Spirit. (Transformation of Heart)

1.3 Following Christ in Anti- Christians Culture.

The world we live in is not always for us. In many countries Christians are killed and tortured
for the sake of the gospel. Those who follow Christ genuinely will face great antagonisms.
When Christians move against the cultural norms they will be opposed. David platt rightly
observes the Culture challenge by asking a question: In a world marked by sex slavery and
sexual immorality, the abandonment and murder of children, racism and persecution, the
needs of the poor and the neglect of the widow how would we act if we fixed our gaze on the
holiness, love, goodness, truth, justice, authority, and mercy of God as revealed in the gospel? How

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