Topical Encyclopedia In the context of the Bible, "culture" refers to the collective customs, social behaviors, and norms that characterize the societies and peoples mentioned throughout the Scriptures. The Bible provides insight into the cultures of ancient Israel, surrounding nations, and the early Christian church, offering a framework for understanding how cultural practices intersect with faith and divine revelation.Old Testament Culture The culture of ancient Israel was deeply rooted in its covenant relationship with God. The Law, given through Moses, was central to Israelite culture, shaping their religious practices, social justice, and daily life. Leviticus 18:3 warns the Israelites, "You must not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or follow the practices of the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs." This highlights the distinctiveness of Israelite culture as set apart for God. Festivals and rituals, such as Passover and the Day of Atonement, were integral to Israelite culture, serving as reminders of God's deliverance and holiness. The Psalms and Proverbs reflect the cultural emphasis on wisdom, worship, and the fear of the Lord as foundational to a righteous life. Cultural Interactions and Influences Throughout the Old Testament, Israel's culture was influenced by interactions with neighboring nations. The Philistines, Canaanites, Egyptians, and Babylonians each had distinct cultures that occasionally infiltrated Israelite society, often leading to idolatry and moral decline. The prophets frequently called the people back to their covenantal identity, as seen in Jeremiah 10:2 : "This is what the LORD says: 'Do not learn the way of the nations or be terrified by signs in the heavens, though the nations are terrified by them.'" New Testament Culture The New Testament reflects a diverse cultural landscape, including Jewish, Greek, and Roman influences. Jesus Christ, though born into Jewish culture, often challenged cultural norms, emphasizing the spirit of the Law over mere tradition. In Mark 7:8 , Jesus criticizes the Pharisees: "You have disregarded the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men." The early church navigated a multicultural world, spreading the Gospel across different cultural contexts. The Apostle Paul addressed cultural issues in his epistles, advocating for unity in diversity within the body of Christ. In Galatians 3:28 , he writes, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Christian Engagement with Culture The Bible encourages believers to engage with culture without compromising their faith. Romans 12:2 exhorts Christians, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This transformation involves discerning cultural practices through the lens of Scripture and living out a Christ-centered life. Christians are called to be salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16), influencing culture positively while maintaining their distinct identity in Christ. The challenge remains to balance cultural engagement with faithfulness to biblical principles, ensuring that cultural practices align with God's truth and righteousness. Topical Bible Verses Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. Topicalbible.org Hebrews 6:1-20 1 Peter 3:1-22 Matthew 5:43-45 Leviticus 20:13 Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (n.) The act or practice of cultivating, or of preparing the earth for seed and raising crops by tillage; as, the culture of the soil.2. (n.) The act of, or any labor or means employed for, training, disciplining, or refining the moral and intellectual nature of man; as, the culture of the mind. 3. (n.) The state of being cultivated; result of cultivation; physical improvement; enlightenment and discipline acquired by mental and moral training; civilization; refinement in manners and taste. 4. (v. t.) To cultivate; to educate. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia CULTUREkul'-tur: Found only in 2 Esdras 8:6 the King James Version and the Revised Version (British and American), "give. culture to our understanding," i.e. to nourish it as seed in the ground. Greek 915. barbaros -- barbarous, barbarian ... foreign. 915 -- properly, a barbarian; generically, anyone "lacking culture" (an "uncivilized" person, cf. Ro 1:14). 915 () is specifically ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/915.htm - 7k 1484. ethnos -- a race, a nation, pl. the nations (as distinct ... 1672. Hellen -- a Greek, usually a name for a Gentile 225. aletheia -- truth Library Self Culture. Spiritual Culture. The Benefit of Culture. Culture and Christianity: their Relation and Necessity. Book ii. The Mental Culture of Jesus. His Life to the Time of his ... Letter ii. Self-Control and Self-Culture. Letter ix. Religious Culture and Duty. The Common Conception among the Dregs of Darwinian Culture is that ... Excess in Dress, as Well as in Personal Culture, to be Shunned ... Letter viii. Who are the Cultivated? Thesaurus Culture... 1. (n.) The act or practice of cultivating, or of preparing the earth for seed and raising crops by tillage; as, the culture of the soil. ...CULTURE. ... /c/culture.htm - 7k Great (10383 Occurrences) Barbarian (2 Occurrences) Apocalyptic Woman (4043 Occurrences) Wild (147 Occurrences) Pontus (3 Occurrences) Barbarous (1 Occurrence) Cultured (1 Occurrence) Cappadocia (2 Occurrences) Resources What is cultural translation? Is cultural translation needed to properly understand the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the insider movement? | GotQuestions.org How can Christians be sensitive to Muslim/Islamic culture? | GotQuestions.org Culture: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus |
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