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Seeing what it is that you noted, there are many Christians approaching things from a Non-Protestant perspective and not forcing a Caucasian perspective onto others....
Gxg (G²);64415921 said:It often seems that people stereotype Christianity - thinking that it's automatically something that can only appear in a Western, European fashion (the one they often attach to a host of issues - from the Crusades to the Spanish Inquisition to Imperialism/Colonialism that advocated slavery.....or Manifest Destiny utilized to wipe out American Indians and a host of other issues).....and thus, they often choose to ignore it.
However, what I've noticed is how often people don't consider the ways that Christianity was contexualized in the cultures of other Indigenious groups who didn't assume they had to cease all aspects of who they were in their culture in order to truly glorify the Lord.
I'm reminded of some American Indian dances referred to me by another "First Nations" Christian..a Lakota Sioux who follows Christ. They really amazed me when considering how often I grew up hearing/seeing in differing churches that such things were not to be allowed in the name of it not being "Christian" (even though the styles they allowed were not always practiced within the culture of those in the Bible and were made CENTURIES after)........ And the same goes for those a part of the world gathering of Indigenous People seeking to serve the Lord.
For more info, one can go online/investigate the following under their respective titles:
Inaugural World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People ( YouTube - Inaugural World Christian Gathering of Indigenous People )
For other wonderful sources of information, I'd highly suggest for others to consider investigating the work of the Late Dr. Richard Twiss of Wiconi International (more here and here and #1/ #18 #111 #126 ) - as he was one of my biggest inspirations when it came to seeing the diversity present within the Body of ChristAnd he really broke it down when sharing on our cultural preferences, and our incompleteness without our neighbor.
From Somoa to Lakota Sioux to Berber to Aboriginal to Inuit/Eskimo to Hawaiian and the many groups in Asia and so many others......all doing what the Apostle Paul himself did when it came to contexualizing the Gospel (more shared earlier in #17/ #22 #94 ). Others may trip thinking it's not Christianity if it doesn't have an American/Western feel to it....but that's unnecessary, IMHO.
I know of a church called the Covenant in Texas and every year they perform interpative dances in their native culture but glorify the Lord with it......and if others question it, I'd ask "Would any of you go into Korea and say Hey you have to change your culture to a biblical culture (which is mostly Western) or your worship is not of God. What about Africa where the Gospel has been preached and they still paint their faces and perfrom dance ceremonies for the Lord? Would you label that wrong? Would you say it does not belong in Gods house? "
I'd also ask "What about Somoa where they where Somain clothing still do their chants but they glorify God." What often seems to happen in responses others give to differing cultures is seen in the statement the way I worship is correct and other cultures need to either conform or will be written off as wrong. That is sin, IMHO---for how is that Revelation 5:9 and Rev 7:9
If some were to become world missionaries you would have a rough time because you couldnt draw the line between culture and essentials.
And I hope - in regards to those who are non-Christians - that you'd be able to see the reality of how much diversity is truly present in Christianity from an Indigenious perspective
Culture is fundamentally important to Christianity in some ways. For example, under Ottoman rule, Greeks were not educated (schools were closed, etc.) and direct teaching of Christ was often impossible. Yet, because the culture had been transformed, the culture itself was essential in maintaining Christianity and became the teaching of Christ (through doing and outlook or mindset).
The problem is when attributes of a culture (the economic system, arts, etc.) are mistaken for Christianity, or have not been truly transformed in Him, or He has been lost from the center (the culture degrades away from its incarnational attributes), or a transformed culture is imposed on those missionized meaning their Christianity operates in a "foreign tongue".
The missionizing of the Philippines (Pres. Mickinley), the preference for Evangelical Protestant professing politicos in Central America regardless of their actions (80's), and the Indian Schools are examples where these aspects are to some extent wound together.
::: American Indians of the Pacific Northwest :::Gxg (G²);64655477 said:There were also boarding schools for Aboriginal people and sadly they went through the same exact thing
Of course, others are at least willing to discuss the issue honestly. I'm reminded of Dr John Harris, author of One Blood, a landmark study into 200 years of Aboriginal encounter with Christianity.....for he sought to discuss the impact of European missionaries on Aboriginal Culture. Specifically, out of a burning conviction that God made of one blood all nations, Christians have carried their message to Aborigines throughout Australia....and John shares how, in the face of abuse, paternalism, prejudice, isoluation and crippling hardship, the Christian gospel was brought to Aboriginal people. Although sometimes blind to their own faults, those who brought this message were remarkable people of great compassion and courage....and yet their actions had severe consequences. Historically, Christianmissions were sometimes places of regimentation marked by a loss of freedom or places of survival and refuge for a suffering people. And although the missions may seem to have failed, from many of them emerged distinctive Aboriginal churches with strong Aboriginal leadership (more here and here or here)
And for others:
I think what often is the root behind actions is that people don't understand the way that religions often interact with/shape each other - and for them, if they cannot be dominant, they cannot be "right" as they see it.
I think what hinders others is knowing the sheer amount of expression that has been varied when it comes to the message of Christianity - and thankfully, others are doing an amazing job in seeking to break that down.
