The Call to Create Culture. When will Christians assume the role of culture shapers, instead of mere reactionaries? Why do we hesitate—are we afraid? Don’t we realize the scope of the problem and the opportunities God is giving us?
The Call to Create Culture
– March 18, 2008
The Call to Create Culture. When will Christians assume the role of culture shapers, instead of mere reactionaries? Why do we hesitate—are we afraid? Don’t we realize the scope of the problem and the opportunities God is giving us?
About the Author
Bill Reichart is a husband, daddy of two daughters and a pastor at Big Creek Church (pca) in North Atlanta. Bill received his Masters of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando. Before pastoring a church, he worked with college students in the northeast for over 16 years. He really enjoys movies, science fiction/fantasy writing (yes he’s been to a Star-Trek convention!), the Simpsons and theology books - not necessarily in that order. He has always been fascinated with the intersection of culture and his faith. 
Didn’t we just talk about the goofiness of being called to “create culture”? Or was that somewhere else.
I may have missed the memo, but isn’t it impossible for someone to live in a society and not create culture? Is this a new tenet? Do Anabaptists and the Amish and wallflowers no longer forge culture with their every action and reaction? I know for certain that mainline evangelicals create culture, because I’m trapped in a land over-run with their cultural trappings.
You imply that reactionaries do not shape culture. I tell you now that this is a lie. Culture is even as people are and just as mountains, forests, and factories shape the winds, so too do Christians (and every other living being*) shape culture.**
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As an aside, I think the so-called cultural mandate would be better termed the horticultural mandate. If only horticulture were in as much vogue as the ultra-hip-at-the-moment term of endearment culture . . .
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NOTES:
* I suspect that even vegetables may shape culture—despite their ignorance of it.
** They may not shape it in the way that you would wish them to do, but it’s sillytalk to imagine they do not shape it.
“As an aside, I think the so-called cultural mandate would be better termed the horticultural mandate. If only horticulture were in as much vogue as the ultra-hip-at-the-moment term of endearment culture . . .”
Dane- that’s twice that you’ve made my day today. You’ve double made my day.