Introduction
Culture is an integral part of the Christian faith and was formed inside and outside the religion. Here, the Christian faith brought moral ideas to different religions worldwide, like being kind to each other. Still, discussing religion in modern culture, also called pop culture, is essential. The current form of Christianity can influence the culture and bring new morality to it by using past experiences, contributing to the spiritual life, and stopping of isolating itself.
The Impact of Christianity on Modern Culture Through Historical Experiences
Christianity can change modern culture through the use of past centuries’ experiences. Firstly, Christianity strongly impacted different present cultures worldwide – Europe, East Asia, Latin America, and Africa. It had a different representation of core principles and worship methods but still had the concept of being kind and doing morally good things. Although comparing the past and present cultures, it is necessary to remember that it is useless to compare the moral ideals of the current and previous centuries (Lewis, 142).
Still, the experience can teach possibilities and prospects for the successful integration of Christianity into contemporary culture. As one of the experience principles, Smith notes that Christian worshipping plays a vital role in culture formation since there is a threat from various cultural practices that prevent from listening to the heart and following the morally good life (513). With worshipping and devotion to the Christian faith, the culture can accustom moral guidance for any art form. So, if you rely on Christianity, you can create a morally good type of art.
Christianity’s Role in Shaping Individual Mental and Psychological Development
Christianity can bring new aspects of individual formation on a mental and psychological level. As noted by Smith, it is the worshipping subject that shapes an individual’s identity (512). The modern identity of a Christian should embrace these global trends but with Christian moral ethics as a guiding compass of contemporary culture. In addition, with Baby Boomers getting older, they crave the spiritual enlightenment that Christianity can provide (Wolfe, 517).
The trend of spiritual life is a way for individuals to seek reconciliation and redemption in their lives that have been lost by going from religion at a young age. In this sense, Christian humanism can steward modern culture and bring old concepts through modern appropriation. Christianity can prevent the intense politicization of culture and its polarization in the sense of being the uniting element of society. It means that society is too divided, so only religion can bring the right moral compass.
Challenges in Integrating Christianity Amid Isolationist Tendencies
However, the integration of Christianity is met with challenges since different groups prefer an isolationistic approach. Isolation means rejecting pop culture and sticking with Christianity only. Wolfe notes that Evangelicals and Fundamentalists, for example, try to retreat from contemporary art and create their subculture (518). These believers tend to stick to core principles of the past and find common ground for their faith in the stories of previous centuries. Bertrand notes that isolationists try to believe in Christ outside the world (495).
Since the globalized culture has a large sphere of influence, living in a hermetically sealed environment is impossible, so these believers fail in this mission. Although Christian culture is present in galleries, record labels, and publishers, they have lost the sense of creativity due to their isolated nature (Wolfe, 521). This causes a possible lack of imagination in the cultural creation and thus limits any religiously devoted individual to contributing to contemporary art.
Looking for the experience, many artists based their feelings on religion and were able to provide creative and distinct solutions to their artistic expression. However, modern time challenges us to embrace this nature, with Christians isolating themselves from the rest of the world. In the opposite direction, preserving the core principles of Christianity and accepting the changing, fast-paced world is seen as the most beneficial path for the believer.
Conclusion
Modern culture lacks moral guidance and a code of ethics. As society tries to search for new approaches to spiritual enrichment, Christianity can embrace its older principles in compliance with modern trends. However, with the isolationist approach, the integration can be seen as challenging for believers who try to renunciate from modern culture. Still, the integration and further development of religion and culture will bring society a more prosperous and fulfilling living experience.
Works Cited
Bertrand Mark. “Imagining the Truth: Christians and Cultural Contribution.” Encounters: Readings for Advanced Composition. Mark Hall and William Epperson. Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2019. 495-504.
Lewis, Clive Staples. “The Poison of Subjectivism.” Encounters: Readings for Advanced Composition. Mark Hall and William Epperson. Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2019. 141-145.
Smith, James. “You Are What You Love: To Worship in Human.” Encounters: Readings for Advanced Composition. Mark Hall and William Epperson. Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2019. 505-516.
Wolfe, Gregory. “Art, Faith, and Stewardship of Culture”. Encounters: Readings for Advanced Composition. Mark Hall and William Epperson. Kendall Hunt Publishing, 2019. 517-525.