Right, Wrong, and Different

One of the major sources of conflict within the first century church was the cultural clash between Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians. Many Jewish Christians insisted that Gentiles Christians adopt Jewish rituals and customs (Sabbath, Circumcision etc.) in order to be truly Christian. Apostle Paul defended the right of non-Jewish Christians to retain their own culture as long as it does not conflict with the morality of Christ Jesus. Christians were willing to divide over these differences in cultural issues. Yet, Paul wanted to remain in fellowship despite cultural differences. This leads to having to answer the following question: how do we determine which customs are biblical? Paul had a revolutionary answer: some things that cultures value are right. Other things that cultures value are wrong. Some things are a matter of difference that are neither right nor wrong but simply different.

Understanding this concept helps us see how Paul can say on one hand; you cannot sacrifice to idols (a common Gentile practice of the day). As well as say that practicing the Sabbath (a common Jewish practice) is a matter of conscience meaning you can do it or not. This concept can introduce major problems. How do you know when a practice is in the right or wrong category versus just difference? First, I would argue that a wholistic understanding of the old and new testament describes inner and outer boundaries of appropriate moral behavior (do not murder and do not hate). Second, I would submit that if you only have interaction with your culture you will have a harder time differentiating what is in the right or wrong category and what is in the different category.

Suppose you grew up in a culture that valued rugged individualism and personal choice above all things. This would shade how you read the Scriptures and understand your morality. You may see Jesus and Paul as rugged individuals who personally overcame wrong ideas and hateful actions. Your morality would be shaped by what best allows you to express your personal opinions and preferences. Instinctually, you would be wary of institutions or expectations placed upon you by forces outside yourself. Then supposed you befriended someone who came from a collectivist culture which valued the good of the group over the individual. They would see the camaraderie that Jesus had with his disciples and that Paul had with his missionary team. They would see morality as consisting more of what is best for the whole than what protects their individual choices. They would value extended family and institutions. Both of you would be challenged by the presumptions of the other. And hopefully both would go to the Scriptures. The individualist would hopefully see the biblical emphasis of the community of believers and submission to authority. The collectivist would hopefully see the biblical emphasis of personal responsibility in discipleship and the times when God’s people may have to stand boldly on their own. Neither would be challenged in their presupposition without exposure to the other.

The more humble exposure that we have with Christians of different cultures the more that we have the opportunity to reflect and examine presuppositions that we did not even know we had. This insight helps us properly interact with various cultures. No one culture is 100% right and no one culture is 100% wrong. Each culture has varying degrees of right, wrong and just different. The category of difference is actually a testament to God’s glorious creativity. We all get to follow Jesus’ commands yet our cultures offer different flavors of doing so.