One of the justified criticisms against Christian missionaries from the West has been their rejection of the culture of the people they lead to faith in Jesus. There are accounts from around the world of this tragic mistake. Here in the United States we saw horrible results when the white man forced Native American children to be taken away from their parents and culture to be raised by white families in an attempt to “Christianize” them. There are also accounts of totem poles destroyed supposedly because they were idols worshipped by Native Americans, when in fact they were historical accounts of the tribe.
How powerful was the opposite position Lou Engle took at The Call Detroit on 11/11/11 this past weekend! The opening of the 24 hour prayer time for Detroit and America was led by Broken Walls of Partition, a Native American group from Canada. Complete with full regalia, drum, and dancers they led the crowd in some of the most anointed worship I’ve seen in a long time. The original songs written by the group featured powerful lyrics that conveyed deep spiritual truths and calls to join the Family of God—all done in music that was faithful to their culture. That was followed by leaders from Black churches in Detroit who were given freedom to lead prayers in their colorful styles consistent with Black culture.
Redeemed culture is a powerful tool that Holy Spirit can use. One of my favorite verses from Revelation is the picture of what our worship will be like in heaven. Rev. 5:9-10 tells us that the 24 elders around the throne of God take their bowls full of our prayers and sing a new song: “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” WOW!!!
I can see in my spirit millions upon millions of believers worship around God’s throne, each taking a turn to bring praise and honor to His name in thanks for the redemption Jesus accomplished for them on the cross. Imagine Native Americans in full regalia dancing their hearts out in thanks and praise. Think of punk rockers who have been redeemed jamming before the Throne. I think they will be in awe when they see staid, stiff white Anglo-Saxons worshipping Jesus with shinning faces as they sing “O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing.” I know I was in awe as I saw Holy Spirit ministering through Broken Walls last Friday night.
Redeemed culture is the reason I love being around Messianic Jews. They are expressing their faith in Yeshua through their Jewish culture that is so rich and full of traditions and spiritual truths.
How about you? Are you letting God redeem your culture? Find ways to express eternal Biblical truths through the culture you are comfortable living in. God wants to use YOU to touch others in your culture group. Don’t be afraid to redeem your culture. If there are things that need to be cleansed in your culture and changed into expressions of holiness—do it! Allow Holy Spirit to clothe Himself in your culture and bring others into His kingdom, for the glory of God and the praise of Jesus.
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