the problem debate between civilization and christianity 2000 year old problem niebuhr – christ...
TRANSCRIPT
Niebuhr Answer to Christ and Culture
The Problem
• Debate between Civilization and Christianity
• 2000 year old problem• Niebuhr – Christ answer bigger
than any humans, but incorporates different human answers
Five Models
• Christ Against Culture• The Christ of Culture• Christ Above Culture• Christ and Culture Paradox• Christ Transforming Culture
Christ Against Culture
• Christ’s authority above all else• First Christians experienced this
model• Book Of Revelations promotes
this model• Tertullian• Potential Problems with this
model
The Christ of Culture
• Seek Christ, but also foster community among brothers and sisters
• Christ’s prayer of Unity in John• Duo role of Christ: Priest and
Prophet• Christos Rex• Medieval notion of
Christendom Cathedral Church of Christ, located in Durham England
Christ Above Culture
• All nature rightly ordered by Christ-God
• Need Grace to order and perfect culture
• Reality of Christ above all cultures
Christ and Culture in Paradox
• Paradoxical relationship between humans and Christ
• Righteousness of God and flawed nature of humanity
• Cannot escape humanities flaws• Paradox between Law and Grace• Paradox between Divine Wrath
and Mercy
Christ Transforming Culture
• Culture is corrupt• Transformation of culture• Gospel cannot perfect
culture, but can improve upon it