The influence of surrounding culture on the people of God is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, the Scriptures provide numerous examples of how cultural influences can both positively and negatively impact the faith and practices of God's people.

Old Testament Examples

1. Abraham and the Canaanites: Abraham, the patriarch of Israel, lived among the Canaanites, a people with different religious practices and moral values. Despite this, Abraham remained faithful to God, setting an example of how to live righteously amidst a pagan culture. Genesis 12:1-3 records God's call to Abraham to leave his country and kindred, emphasizing the need to separate from cultural influences that could lead him away from God's promises.

2. Israel in Egypt: The Israelites' sojourn in Egypt exposed them to Egyptian culture and religion. While Joseph rose to a position of power, maintaining his faith in God, the Israelites eventually became enslaved and influenced by Egyptian idolatry. This influence is evident in their creation of the golden calf (Exodus 32:1-6) after the Exodus, reflecting the idolatrous practices they had observed in Egypt.

3. The Conquest of Canaan: As the Israelites entered the Promised Land, God commanded them to drive out the Canaanite nations to avoid adopting their detestable practices (Deuteronomy 7:1-5). However, Israel's failure to fully obey led to periods of syncretism and idolatry, as seen in the Book of Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25).

4. Exile and Return: During the Babylonian exile, figures like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego demonstrated how to remain faithful in a foreign culture. Daniel 1:8 notes that Daniel "resolved not to defile himself with the king’s food or wine," showing a commitment to God's laws despite external pressures. Upon returning from exile, leaders like Ezra and Nehemiah worked to reestablish the distinct identity of the Jewish people, emphasizing adherence to the Law and separation from foreign influences (Nehemiah 13:23-27).

New Testament Examples

1. Jesus and the Roman World: Jesus lived in a time when Roman culture and Hellenistic influences permeated Jewish society. Despite this, He consistently taught the values of God's kingdom, challenging both the legalism of the Pharisees and the secularism of the Roman world. In John 17:14-16 , Jesus prays for His disciples, acknowledging that they are "not of the world," even as they live within it.

2. The Early Church: The early Christians faced the challenge of spreading the Gospel in a diverse cultural landscape. The Apostle Paul, in his missionary journeys, encountered various cultures and philosophies. In Acts 17:22-23 , Paul addresses the Athenians, using their altar to an "unknown god" as a starting point to proclaim the Gospel, demonstrating how to engage with culture without compromising the message of Christ.

3. Warnings Against Conformity: The New Testament contains numerous exhortations to resist conforming to the surrounding culture. Romans 12:2 urges believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Similarly, James 4:4 warns that "friendship with the world is hostility toward God," highlighting the tension between cultural accommodation and faithfulness to God.

4. Cultural Engagement and Distinctiveness: The epistles often address the balance between engaging with culture and maintaining a distinct Christian identity. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 , Paul speaks of becoming "all things to all people" to win some to Christ, yet he remains steadfast in his commitment to the Gospel. This reflects the call for Christians to be in the world but not of it, influencing culture rather than being influenced by it.

Throughout the Bible, the influence of surrounding culture is portrayed as a significant factor in the spiritual life of God's people. The Scriptures provide guidance on how to navigate cultural influences, emphasizing the importance of faithfulness to God's commands and the transformative power of the Gospel.