In Other Words

I was at High School Church Camp last week. The theme was, “In other words…” We challenged our mindsets by asking a few questions:

Do we as western, white, middle class American Christians claim exclusive rights to the truth?
What does that truth look like and how do our monopolizing claims on it affect our orientation to other people groups?
How does our own view of the truth change if we encounter something true outside our own bubble?

We attempted to answer these questions by using words from other cultures laden with meaning to show that those cultures understand and live out the message of the gospel, even if they don’t know it. All cultures contain “neutral” or “naturally good” elements in non-Christian ways of life. These elements are often consistent with the Gospel message and serve as points of contact between otherwise dissimilar cultures and worldviews. In Other Words…God does not show favoritism but accepts all those who fear him and do what is right.

The following is a quick breakdown of the words and the theological implications that arise from their cultural context. Next week I will post an edited version of my sermon from day 3.

Day 1: Namaste – “In the image of God he created them”

Namaste is a combination of two Sanskrit words and is literally rendered “I bow to you” and understood to be an acknowledgment of the divine spark within each person. It is a traditional Hindu greeting in India that has become more popular around the globe (especially since its usage in the hit show “Lost”). The greeting is usually given with head bowed, palms pressed together and held close to the chest. It can be heard being exchanged by lepers in Calcutta.

The theological principle, imago Dei, is often affirmed and less often practiced by Christians. Our tendency to judge others by their appearance, health, or social standing splinters our globe, our culture, even our church. Jesus amazed and angered others by his willingness to affirm God’s image in all people through touch, presence, and healing. We too are called recognize to the image of God in others, be they beautiful and powerful or crippled and neglected.

Day 2: Ubuntu – “We are all members of one body”

A belief in ubuntu is prevalent throughout the African continent. It is a word with no English counterpart that is roughly translated “I am because you are.” Desmond Tutu credits a belief in ubuntu for the success of reconciliation movements in South Africa after the fall of apartheid. It’s a mindset that values forgiveness, hospitality, and compassion and challenges us to connect our livelihood with the livelihood of others.

Regardless of how we view one another, there are forces at work in our culture that make it difficult for us to live in community with people, even our friends. Individualism, materialism, and right of privacy all work counter to the desire Jesus articulated in his final prayer on earth. Forgiveness, transparency, and a genuine concern for the welfare of others are all needed to truly experience the community God desires.

Day 3: Solidariedade – Look not to your own interests but to the interests of others

Solidariedade is one of the most cherished values of Latin American culture. It has been defined as “helping others in an organized and effective way,” with no regard for one’s own wealth or poverty. Solidariedade surpasses our own English notions of compassion and care and approaches more closely Paul’s ideas of humility as expressed in Philippians 2.

The difference between solidariedade and our understandings of service in America are subtle. Service is a highly esteemed virtue, even in America’s mainstream culture, but it is often viewed as what we do for others after we have tended to ourselves. In our context to disregard our own needs is more often seen as a vice rather than a virtue. Solidariedade is not a possibility as much as it is a responsibility and a core value of Brazilian society.

Day 4: Tao – “I am the way, the truth and the life”

For over 2500 years the Tao has been a pivotal concept throughout much of China. Tao literally means path, or way. Tao refers both to the way of ultimate reality that is beyond human comprehension and the way or rhythm of the universe with which human life meshes.

Too often Christianity is consumed with keeping rules and memorizing facts, even though Jesus never displayed this obsession. Instead Jesus was (and is) concerned that his disciples follow and model the way of life that he pioneered, a way of life animated by the Spirit that blows where it pleases. The life of the Spirit is one of freedom, wisdom, improvisation and creativity. It was for this reason that the early church was known as “The Way.”

Day 5: Contextualization – Seeing the Gospel in our own world

What about our culture? Where do we see God at work among our friends and family? And what do we call what we see? America is often called a Christian nation because of the ways Christianity has colored our historical narrative and infiltrated our power structures, but what is truly Christian about our culture even if it has another name?

“The active presence of God began on the day of creation. This active presence continues today over the whole world, within and without the Church. The church is therefore missioned not so much to introduce Christ to non-Christians as if he were a total stranger, but rather to help the non-Christian find him already present and active in the non-Christian heart.” (Louis Luzbetak)