I've Got Culture: Agri-Culture

When I was still on the farm, I saw a shirt that got my attention. The slogan on the shirt read, “I’ve Got Culture: Agriculture.” I considered getting that shirt but instead opted for one that had a farmer standing in a field with the words, “Out standing in his field.”
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As I reflected on the farm humor of days gone by, I was reminded of the whole concept of culture in general. Often right and wrong is assessed based on cultural relativism, or cultural ethics. The problem with such an approach is that it allows culture to determine right and wrong rather than God. We must not forget that good and evil, right and wrong are determined by God, not us. We are not allowed to redefine it. Abraham Lincoln once asked, “If I call my dogs tail a leg, how many legs does my dog have?” His answer, four! My dog only has four legs no matter what I call his tail. Calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg. Calling something acceptable does not make it unsinful.
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As we consider the subject of cultural relativism, is it acceptable to suggest that some cultures are morally inferior to others? In our multicultural society, such a suggestion is prone to bring about accusations of bigotry and even racism. We must understand that in some cases it is only right to point out the shortcomings of a culture. For example, the Children of Israel were warned about a cultural practice of their neighbors the Ammonites who sacrificed their children to the false god Molech by burning them in fire. “And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through the fire to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.” Leviticus 18:21. Few would disagree that the culture of child sacrifice is evil.
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The example of the Ammonites is relatively benign for us today, for I do not know of many people who still worship Molech. Therefore I can use that example and not ruffle too many feathers. What about a culture that encourages its children to strap bombs to their bodies and blow themselves up in crowded public areas with the purpose of killing as many people as possible? What about a culture that prides itself in honor killings of relatives who they feel have disgraced their families and culture? From a Biblical perspective, not only must I condemn the religious beliefs of Islam, but also the culture of violence. Some would call me intolerant for such a statement. That’s okay with me, let me go on record that I am intolerant of murder. What is more intolerant, writing about those we disagree with or killing them? A culture of intolerance that leads to murder is something we all must be concerned about.
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I am saddened that the debate over culture often leads instead to a debate over race. Many Muslims are Arabs, but we must not come to the conclusion that all Arabs are more evil than anyone else. The issue is not their race, but what values they embrace.
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Many of those same issues come up when we examine the values of some of our inner city cultures in this county. For example, a culture that encourages drug use, out of wedlock births, and violence should be spoken against. Sadly, instead of speaking against such a culture, many speak against a race. These behaviors are wrong no matter what races are involved in them. Further, not every person of a particular race does those things, and it is wrong to imply they do.
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At the same time, it would be just as wrong to ignore the sinful characteristics of a culture just because of a fear of offending a certain demographic within our society. What I am suggesting is judging a culture by the content of its character, not by the color of its skin. -
What about the culture of our own small town agricultural area. It is easy to pride ourselves in our small town values, yet culture relativism has crept in here as well. For example, we live in a culture where premarital sex (fornication) is accepted. We live in a culture where our possessions have become our gods. We live in a culture were divorce and adultery are all too frequent. We live in a culture where we covet and want whatever someone else has. We live in a culture where it is not uncommon for our citizens to get drunk.
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1 Corinthians 6:9-10 says, “Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”
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It is time for people to reject their cultures and embrace God.
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“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3.