Culture shapes the way people live, think, and interact with one another.
It influences language, traditions, customs, and even personal values.
From music to fashion, education to government, culture affects every part of life.
But what does the Bible say about culture?
Does God want believers to embrace culture, reject it, or change it?
Understanding the Bible’s perspective on culture can help Christians navigate the world without compromising their faith.
The Influence of Culture on Faith
Culture is powerful.
It shapes the way people see the world and how they understand right and wrong.
Romans 12:2 warns, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
This means that believers should not blindly follow cultural trends but instead seek God’s truth.
Culture changes over time, but God’s Word remains constant.
The Bible encourages believers to influence culture rather than be controlled by it.
God’s Design for Culture
God created diversity.
From the beginning, He made people with different languages, appearances, and traditions.
Genesis 11:1-9 describes the Tower of Babel, where God scattered people across the earth, giving them different languages.
This shows that cultural differences were part of God’s plan.
Acts 17:26 confirms this, saying, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.”
Diversity in culture is not a mistake—it is part of God’s design.
The Bible does not reject culture but calls believers to honor God within their cultural context.
When Culture Conflicts with Scripture
Not all cultural practices align with God’s truth.
Some traditions go against biblical values and should be rejected.
Colossians 2:8 warns, “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.”
If a cultural practice promotes sin, believers must stand firm in their faith.
For example, in biblical times, some cultures practiced child sacrifice, idol worship, and other sinful behaviors.
God commanded His people to avoid these practices and remain faithful to Him.
In modern times, culture may promote greed, immorality, or self-centeredness.
Believers must carefully evaluate cultural trends and reject anything that goes against God’s will.
Jesus and Culture
Jesus lived in a specific cultural context, yet He challenged the traditions that went against God’s truth.
The religious leaders of His time followed strict traditions that focused on outward appearances rather than the heart.
In Mark 7:8, Jesus told them, “You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”
Jesus did not completely reject culture, but He made it clear that God’s commands were more important than human traditions.
He ate with sinners, spoke to women in a time when they were often ignored, and healed on the Sabbath, breaking cultural expectations.
Jesus showed that believers should engage with culture but not let it take priority over their relationship with God.
The Role of the Church in Culture
The church has always played a role in shaping culture.
Throughout history, Christianity has influenced art, education, government, and human rights.
Jesus called believers to be “the light of the world” in Matthew 5:14.
This means that Christians should positively impact the world around them.
They should stand up for justice, promote love and kindness, and bring hope to broken places.
However, the church should also be cautious not to compromise biblical truth in an effort to fit in with culture.
Revelation 2:20 warns about tolerating sin within the church, saying, “Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet.
By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.”
While engaging with culture is important, believers must remain faithful to God’s standards.
Cultural Diversity in the Body of Christ
One of the beautiful aspects of Christianity is that it includes people from every culture.
Revelation 7:9 describes a vision of heaven, saying, “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.”
God’s kingdom is made up of people from different backgrounds, united by their faith in Christ.
This means that cultural differences should not divide believers.
Galatians 3:28 declares, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Rather than seeing differences as a reason for division, the church should celebrate the unity found in Christ.
How Believers Should Engage with Culture
The Bible does not tell believers to completely separate from culture, but it does call them to be wise in how they engage with it.
1 Corinthians 9:22 states, “I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”
Paul adapted to different cultural settings to share the gospel effectively.
However, he did not compromise his faith.
This shows that believers can participate in culture while staying true to their values.
For example, a Christian can enjoy music, fashion, and entertainment, but they should be careful not to consume content that promotes sinful behavior.
They can celebrate cultural traditions while making sure those traditions honor God.
The Danger of Cultural Idolatry
Sometimes, people place culture above God.
They may value national identity, family traditions, or social customs more than their faith.
Jesus warned against this in Mark 7:13, saying, “Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down.”
Cultural pride can become an idol if it leads people away from biblical truth.
Believers must be willing to let go of cultural practices that contradict God’s commands.
At the same time, they should hold onto cultural traditions that align with faith, such as family, hospitality, and community.
Transforming Culture with God’s Truth
Instead of simply accepting or rejecting culture, believers are called to transform it.
Romans 12:2 encourages, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
This means that Christians should influence culture rather than be shaped by it.
In history, believers have led movements to end slavery, fight poverty, and promote education.
God calls His people to bring His light into the world, changing culture for the better.
The Balance Between Culture and Conviction
It is possible to respect culture while staying true to biblical convictions.
Daniel is a great example of this.
When he was taken to Babylon, he learned the language and customs of the culture.
However, he refused to eat food that violated God’s laws (Daniel 1:8).
He respected the culture but did not compromise his faith.
This is the kind of balance believers should strive for—engaging with culture without losing their identity in Christ.
Final Thoughts
The Bible teaches that culture is not inherently good or bad.
Some cultural practices align with God’s truth, while others go against His commands.
Believers should engage with culture wisely, celebrating diversity while standing firm in their faith.
Rather than being shaped by the world, Christians are called to transform it by living according to God’s Word.
When believers stay true to their convictions while loving and respecting others, they can be a powerful influence for good in the world.