I n part 1 we saw that culture cannot change the word of God. Instead, it meets the needs of every culture. God’s word lives and abides forever (1 Pet. 1:23). Culture is always changing, but God’s word remains the same. Even though the current culture cannot override God’s standard, it does have an impact on how we obey God’s law.
Culture does impact the way a Christian applies God’s word. A good example of this is found in the first letter to the Corinthians where Paul instructed the women to have their heads covered (1 Cor. 11:6). In examining the text we should wonder why Paul would say it was a shame for a woman to have her head uncovered. Study of the historical context will reveal that Paul was addressing an issue that existed because of the pagan culture in Corinth. The temple prostitutes of the goddess Aphrodite would present themselves without veils openly in the city. Paul was not teaching that it is inherently sinful to go without a veil, but that it was sinful for the Corinthian women because the principles of God’s will dictated it in their current situation.
Today the way we dress can still symbolically indicate the way we behave or things we believe. Recent social causes have been promoted simply by wearing clothes with slogans written on them. Whenever you see someone dressed that way, you know something about where they stand on an issue. Similarly, when someone wears clothing with offensive language or clothing that is immodest you can draw some reasonable conclusions about their behavior regarding their speech or modesty
The principle of 1 Corinthians 11:6 still applies today. Any clothing that would associate Christians with sinful activity would itself be sinful. The specifics of this binding principle can change. Women in America who dress without a veil in our day are not seen as lascivious in any way. If such were the case, the specifics of 1 Corinthians 11:6 would still be binding. However, do not make the mistake of believing that the culture can loose what the word of God has bound. In part of the Bible’s definition of modesty braided hair is mentioned (1 Tim. 2:9). Why would the hair style matter if the head was to be covered? God’s law had to be applied differently based on two different cultures addressed in those two passages. Those who believe the Bible’s stance on homosexuality are routinely called “old-fashioned” today. The modern culture’s acceptance of homosexuality does not change the sinful nature of that act in God’s eyes as revealed in His word. The Bible clearly delineates sinful behavior from righteous behavior, and the honest discerner can rightly divide the truth on these issues (2 Tim. 2:15).
Even though the word of God never changes we must change the way we make application because of changes in the culture. I should never change in my fervent obedience of the command to “go into all the world” (Mark 16:15). However instead of boats, donkeys, and sandals, I should change to use more expedient methods of transportation than my first century brethren used. I can change the application of the command that is revealed in the Bible, never the command itself.
-Ross Haffner