{"id":2307339,"date":"2024-07-24T12:21:59","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T16:21:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thank-god-for-cultural-expressions\/"},"modified":"2024-07-24T12:25:22","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T16:25:22","slug":"thank-god-for-cultural-expressions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/thank-god-for-cultural-expressions\/","title":{"rendered":"Thank God for Cultural Expressions"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">10<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fthank-god-for-cultural-expressions%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2307339&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Ay.com\/passage\/?search=Acts+17%3A23&amp;version=ESV&#8221; target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; rel=&#8221;noopener&#8221;>Acts \u200d17:23<\/a>), we\u2062 can use cultural expressions and practices to point people to Christ. Our task is to recognize these opportunities \u2063and to share the truth\u200c of Jesus with others, knowing that ultimately every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.<\/p>\n<p> By being aware of different <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/republican-led-states-sue-biden-admin-over-expansive-climate-order-targeting-trump-legacy\/\" title=\"Republican-Led States Sue Biden Admin Over Expansive Climate Order Targeting Trump Legacy\">cultural practices<\/a> and expressions, we can effectively communicate the message of Jesus Christ to people from diverse backgrounds. Just as Paul used the altar to an \u200c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/john-nantz-christians-are-responsible-for-the-state-of-american-politics\/\" title=\"John Nantz: Christians Are Responsible for the State of American Politics\">unknown god<\/a> as a starting point for sharing \u2064the gospel in Athens, we can also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/house-gop-defectors-shoot-down-defense-spending-bill-for-second-time-2\/\" title=\"House GOP defectors reject defense spending bill again.\">find \u2062common\u200b ground<\/a>\u200b with others in order to share the truth about Jesus. \u200dOur goal is to lead people to a personal\u2063 relationship with Christ, knowing that one day every person will acknowledge His lordship. Let us be sensitive to cultural differences and\u200b open to using them as opportunities to share the love and truth\u2064 of Jesus Christ with those around\u2064 us.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<section> <script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC1)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC2)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC3)\")<\/script><script>console.log(\"ad slot (IC4)\")<\/script><\/p>\n<p>Aren&rsquo;t you glad that God gave us culture to enjoy? We have visual art, film, music, sports, architecture, etc. because we were created in the image of the creative God.<\/p>\n<p>God fashioned everything we see by the words of His mouth (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Psalm+33%3A9&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Psalm 33:9<\/a>) and the work of His hands (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Isaiah+66%3A2&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Isaiah 66:2<\/a>). How amazing is He?!<\/p>\n<p>Now, we, being made in the image of God, have been gifted with creativity. We can create from what God has already created.<\/p>\n<p>However, we are not like God, following the doctrine of Creatio ex nihilo &mdash; which means &ldquo;creation out of nothing.&rdquo; We are bound to what God has already created; and in fact, even our most <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/army-veteran-sold-farm-sail-world-search-rare-treasure\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">impressive handiworks<\/a> lack uniqueness.<\/p>\n<p>Everything is built upon something else. For this reason, King Solomon states, &ldquo;&hellip; there is nothing new under the sun&rdquo; (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Ecclesiastes+1%3A9&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ecclesiastes 1:9<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>  <script> \t\t\t\tif( ! getCookie( 'ff_subbed' ) ) if( typeof FFADS.replace_ict !='undefined' ) if( FFADS.replace_ict ) eval( FFADS.replace_ict ); \t\t\t<\/script> <\/p>\n<p>Nonetheless, I&rsquo;m thankful for different cultures and cultural expressions.<\/p>\n<p>At one time, mankind gathered in one location with one language, but due to their disobedience, God spread them across the earth and gave different languages to different groups of people (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Genesis+11%3A1-9&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Genesis 11:1-9<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Now, we can vacation across the globe and stand in amazement at different cultural practices. We can enjoy the different aspects of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/culture-shift-hollywood-must-shocked-2-shows-topping-netflix-tv-charts\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">culture<\/a>, remembering that one day &ldquo;&hellip; at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father&rdquo; (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Philippians+2%3A10-11&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Philippians 2:10-11<\/a>).<\/p>\n<p>Amid the different cultural expressions of the world, one can often see references to God, whether intended or not. For example, think of professional photography that captures nature in a stunning work of art. You are probably thinking of some examples in your head.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Romans+1&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Romans 1<\/a> tells us that God is evident within creation &hellip; creation needed a Creator. Or, how about a song on the radio which speaks of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/critical-bedtime-routine-save-marriage-study\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">marriage<\/a>. God is the One who instituted marriage (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Genesis+2%3A24&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Genesis 2:24<\/a>), and this reflects His goodness.<\/p>\n<p>Movies today, such as &ldquo;Star Wars&rdquo; or the &ldquo;Marvel Universe,&rdquo; exalt good (although the definition of good is sometimes distorted) over evil. This sounds familiar, doesn&rsquo;t it?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=John+10%3A10&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">John 10:10<\/a> gives us the real contrast between good and evil, &ldquo;The thief comes only to steal and&nbsp;kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>So much of our culture, as godless as it can be, often points to Christ. This makes natural bridges or connections to the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>Just as the Apostle Paul used the altar &ldquo;to the unknown god&rdquo; to direct people to Jesus (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.biblegateway.com\/passage\/?search=Acts+17%3A22-34&amp;version=ESV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Acts 17:22-34<\/a>), we should use different characteristics of our culture to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/evangelism-sharing-gospel-work\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">evangelize<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Of course, we must never compromise and sin for the sake of culture, but we can use neutral areas &mdash; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/mainland-china-says-biden-must-change-u-s-policies\/\" title=\"Mainland China says Biden must change U.S. policies\">common interests<\/a> (sports, movies, video games, music, art, education, etc.) &mdash; to connect with others.<\/p>\n<p>At the church where I serve as worship pastor, using sports in the community, such as coaching youth sports and participating in community sports leagues, has been one of the greatest connection points to the gospel.<\/p>\n<p>How can you use culture to the glory of God?<\/p>\n<p>Make sure to praise God today for the different expressions of culture. Imagine how boring life would be without it.<\/p>\n<p><em>This article appeared originally on Liftable.<\/em><\/p>\n<div style=\"position: relative;\">\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-submit-correction inner-content\">\n<div class=\"correction-form\">\n<form style=\"display: none;\">\n<div class=\"sc-name-field\"> <label>* Name<\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" required> <\/div>\n<div class=\"sc--field\"> <label>* <\/label> <br \/> <input type=\"text\" name=\"\" required> <\/div>\n<p> <label>* Message<\/label> <br \/> <textarea name=\"message\" required><\/textarea>  <\/p>\n<div class=\"required-message\" style=\"display: none; padding-bottom: 15px;\">* All fields are required.<\/div>\n<p> <input type=\"submit\" value=\"Submit\" onclick=\"event.preventDefault(); firefly_sc();\">  <\/p>\n<div class=\"firefly-sc-confirm\" style=\"display: none;\">Success!<\/div>\n<\/p><\/form>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <script> \t\t\tfunction firefly_sc() { \t\t\t\tif( typeof window.captchaPublicKey==typeof undefined ){ \t\t\t\t\tconsole.error('window.captchaPublicKey is not defined'); \t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\tgrecaptcha.execute( window.captchaPublicKey, { action: 'submit_correction' } ).then( function( token ) { \t\t\t\t\tvar opts={ \t\t\t\t\t\taction:    'firefly_sc_submit', \t\t\t\t\t\tname:      document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"name\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\t:     document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tmessage:   document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"message\"]' ).value, \t\t\t\t\t\tpost_id:   firefly_post_id, \t\t\t\t\t\tcap_token: token \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tvar inputs=[ 'name', '', 'message' ];  \t\t\t\t\tfor( var i=0; i <inputs.length; i++ ) if( ! ( opts[inputs[i]]=document.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction [name=\"' + inputs[i] + '\"]' ).value ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .required-message' ).style.display='block'; \t\t\t\t\t\treturn; \t\t\t\t\t}  \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction input[type=\"submit\"]' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).src=firefly_loading_gif_url; \t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='inline-block';  \t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( 'ma subbing' );  \t\t\t\t\tif( firefly_post_id ) opts['post_id']=firefly_post_id;  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Send the data using post with element id name and name2*\/ \t\t\t\t\tvar posting=jQuery.post( firefly_ajax_url, opts );  \t\t\t\t\t\/* Alerts the results *\/ \t\t\t\t\tposting.done( function( response ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tif( response.success ) { \t\t\t\t\t\t\tconsole.log( response.data ); \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-submitting-img' ).style.display='none'; \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.querySelector( '.entry-submit-correction .firefly-sc-confirm' ).style.display='block';  \t\t\t\t\t\t\tdataLayer.push( { 'event': 'submit-correction' } ); \t\t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t\t}); \t\t\t} \t\t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<p>   <script>console.log(\"ad slot (BA1)\")<\/script> <\/p>\n<div class=\"ff-fancy-header-container\">  <\/div>\n<style> \t\t\t \t\t\t.insticator-unit.type-commenting{margin: 0 10px 25px 10px}@media screen and (max-width:1060px){#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{margin: 0 auto 25px auto !important;}}#div-insticator-ad-cmt-1, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-2, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-3, #div-insticator-ad-cmt-4{height: 280px !important; width: 336px !important} \t\t<\/style>\n<div class=\"insticator-unit type-commenting\">\n<div class=\"insticator-ads\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-1\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-2\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<div class=\"insticator-ads additional\">   <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\"> \t\t\t\t\tif ( ! getCookie( \"ff_subbed\" ) ) { \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\"); \t\t\t\t\t\tInsticator.ad.loadAd(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\"); \t\t\t\t\t} else { \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-3\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t\tdocument.getElementById(\"div-insticator-ad-cmt-4\").remove() \t\t\t\t\t} \t\t\t\t<\/script> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ay.com\/passage\/?search=Acts+17%3A23&amp;version=ESV&#8221; target=&#8221;_blank&#8221; rel=&#8221;noopener&#8221;>Acts \u200d17:23), we\u2062 can use cultural expressions and practices to point people to Christ. Our task is to recognize these opportunities \u2063and to share the truth\u200c of Jesus with others, knowing that ultimately every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. By being aware of different cultural &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2307340,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/A-man-from-the-Rabari-people-group-with-his-camel-.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[10642,25634,12021],"class_list":["post-2307339","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-cultural","tag-expressions","tag-gratitude"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.westernjournal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/07\/A-man-from-the-Rabari-people-group-with-his-camel-.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2307339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2307339"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2307339\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2307340"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2307339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2307339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2307339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}