Category: Cultural Reflections

A growing number of Evangelicals are bringing theology and culture into dialogue in order to not only develop a better understanding of the biblical text but also better understand the cultures in which the interpreter finds herself/himself. Such theological analysis of culture needs to extend increasingly to the sphere of popular culture. This essay will focus on one particular genre within popular culture, i.e., science fiction. Using an episode from Star Trek: The Next Generation as a case study, the essay will explore how science fiction can assist with an awareness of our assumptions about gender. The insights gained from these considerations can then be applied to cultural assumptions brought to an interpretation of the biblical text.

In this essay, Sarah Thebarge discusses how women in the church often identify themselves, and relate to each other, based on gender stereotypes and roles.  Thebarge advocates that instead of seeing the Gospel through the lens of family, fertility and femininity, women in the church begin to engage in the true Gospel, which calls for fellowship based on identity in Christ instead of particular life circumstances.  In doing this, women will be free to experience the unity described in John 17, rather than finding common ground in superficial affinities.

Using his personal story as an illustration, Wink Chin addresses American and Evangelical Christian culture’s use of a strict binary between male and female. Taking time to define and separate sex and gender, as well as introduce the idea of a gender spectrum, Chin shows how creating a strict dichotomy of male/female isolates and rejects those who aren’t able to identify with one or the other because of their biological makeup or gender identity.  In the end he questions if Evangelical Christianity is able to welcome him and those identifying as transgender or genderqueer into its community.

The author has developed a program called “Man-Up” that is specifically and uniquely designed to address soul trauma.  It is unique in that it first heals the soul trauma by way of the “huddle” instead of placing a veneer over the trauma.  Secondly, it gives the person tools for life so that instead of just changing behaviors, it changes the place where behaviors come from, i.e., the soul which has now been healed of its trauma.  This gives the person the healthy place from which their choices are now made.  The Man-Up huddles are specifically designed to address soul trauma by first identifying the soul trauma, releasing the soul trauma, and then incorporating spiritual disciplinary tools.  Man-Up is a simple, but powerful life-changing program whose principles can be applied in many different settings.

What has coffee to do with the Kingdom? This question is reflected upon as it relates to the different ways that Christians creatively seek shalom in their communities, laboring in all sectors of public life. The author explains that Christ came not just to rescue souls (though he had certainly come to do that) but to make all things new, including the structures of the world that cause suffering and mar the imago dei each person bears. Verbal proclamation of the gospel is not the Christian’s only calling in this life. Jesus came both to save persons from hell and to give them, as families, communities, and entire cities, an abundant life that the Father intended for creation from the beginning. Justice initiatives as well as commerce, classrooms, and yes, coffee, have everything to do with God’s coming Kingdom.