Christ the Transformer of Culture

Part 1: Introduction
Part 2: Christ Against Culture
Part 3: Christ of Culture
Part 4: Christ Above Culture
Part 5: Christ and Culture in Paradox

Part 6: Christ the Transformer of Culture
Finally, we come to our last category, which Niebuhr dubs the "conversionists."  Excluding the cultural Christian group (Christ of Culture), the conversionists are the most hopeful about human culture.  They view culture as corrupt and yet redeemable.

According to Niebuhr, conversionists share three basic theological convictions:

1. In our focus on the atonement we should not neglect God's original creative act.  "...man the creature, working in a created world, lives...under the rule of Christ and by the creative power and ordering of the divine Word, even though in his unredeemed mind he may believe that he lives among vain things under divine wrath." (p.192)
2. We must differentiate "the nature of man's fall from his created goodness." (p.193)  "Man's good nature has been corrupted; it is not bad, as something that ought not to exist, but warped, twisted, and misdirected....The problem of culture is therefore the problem of its conversion, not of its replacement by a new creation..." (p.194)
3. God has always been, and will always be active in human culture.  "...history is the story of God's mighty deeds and of man's responses to them.  He lives somewhat less 'between the times' and somewhat more in the divine 'Now' than do his brother Christians." (p.195)

Oddly enough, Niebuhr does not seem to give any argument against this view and most people seem to believe that this was, in fact, the view that he personally held.  His son, however, reportedly said that he did not necessarily think this was the case. 

Overall, I think I probably fit into this type the best.  In my concluding post, I'll talk about the thesis for my paper and why I think Niebuhr's typology can still be helpful for us today.

 

Comments

[Cliff Lusk]

I'd be interested to read your paper once you get finished. This view brings up some interesting issues, like what does Niebuhr's Christ Transforming Culture says about the relation of the Church and State? What's the role of the Church versus individual Christians. Lots of good things. Anyways, hope your paper goes well.

[Patrick]

Thanks for the summary of the five different models. Very helpful! Hope your paper went well.

[Bill]

Still working on it! It's actually turned into a critique of the book. I still think it can be useful, but it's in need of some revision.

[bengt fjellberg]

I am interested in your paper. Is it avaiable online or in a electronic edition?

Best regards
bengt fjellberg

[Bill]

It's nothing special, but if you really want it, you can download it here.