Culture And Christ

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
The Samaritan woman said to (Jesus), “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) (John 4:9)

Cultural traditions and practices must be evaluated by Christ’s standards, not ours. This woman (1) was a Samaritan, a member of the hated mixed race, (2) she was known to be living in sin, and (3) was in a public place.

No respectable Jewish man would even talk to a woman under these circumstances. But Jesus did.  The gospel is for every person, no matter what his or her race, culture, social position, or past sins.
 
"In the Lord, however, woman is not independent of man, nor is man independent of woman." (1 Corinthians 11:11)

We as Christians must live within but not be of our culture, or of the world.  In talking about head coverings and length of hair, Paul is saying here that believers should look and behave in ways that are honorable within their own culture.   In many cultures long hair on men is considered appropriate.  In some others, it is inappropriate.

In Corinth, it was thought to be a sign of male prostitution in the pagan temples. And women with short hair were labeled prostitutes.  Paul was saying that in the Corinthian culture, Christian women should keep their long hair.

If short hair on women was a sign of prostitution, then a Christian woman with short hair would find it hard and even more difficult to be a believable witness for Christ.
Paul wasn’t saying we should adopt all the practices of our culture, but that we should avoid appearances and behavior that distract from our ultimate goal of being believable witnesses for Jesus and demonstrating our Christian faith.

We must be personally prepared to witness and share the gospel at any time and in any place, in any culture.   Jesus crossed all barriers to share the gospel to the world, and we who follow him must do no less.

Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i