Transcript The Gospel and Culture

The Gospel and Culture
Mark 16:15
Go into all the world
and proclaim the gospel to the
whole creation.
Go into all the world
and proclaim the gospel to the
whole creation.
Genesis 12:1 KJV
Get thee out of thy
country…
N.Z.’s Changing Context
Ethnicity
2011 Pop
2026 Pop
Growth Rate
European
3.2 million
3.5 million
0.4
Maori
675,000
810,000
1.3
Pacific Island
345,000
481,000
2.4
Asian
500,000
790,000
3.4
Source: Statistic New Zealand
N.Z.’s Changing Context
Ethnicity
2006 pop
Growth Rate %
Muslim
36,000
0.4
Hindu
65,000
1.3
Buddhist
52,000
2.4
Go into all the world and
proclaim the gospel
to the whole creation.
Permanent Instructions
Be baptised (Acts 2:38)
Observe the ‘Lord’s supper’ (1 Cor 11:24)
Abstain from fornication (Acts 15:29)
Permanent Principles
Wash one another’s feet (John 13:14)
Sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs
(Col 3:16)
Give to those who beg from you
(Matt 5:42)
Culturally Dependant
Anoint the sick with oil (James 5:14)
Women should pray with their heads
covered (1 Cor 11:5)
Use unleavened bread for communion (Luke
22:13, 19)
John Stott
Many people reject the gospel not because
they perceive it to be false, but because
they perceive it to be foreign.
Understand The Gospel

in its simplicity

in its fullness
Acts 14:8-16

Turn from vain things to the living God

God was not foreign or new

Had not left Himself without witness
Acts 17:16-33

Debated with the Jews (from the Scriptures)

Spoke to the Gentiles of the ‘unknown god’

Quoted their own poets and philosophers

Resulted in people accepting his message
Good News

Muslims: God is knowable and loves us

Buddhists: God offers an end to suffering and pain

Animists: God is good and the supreme power

Atheist: there is a God!