How do we avoid compromise?

Gal 5:9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.

Recently I attended a missions conference in Toronto, where various ethnic communites (they were all Christians) presented their culture and traditions, together with sights and sounds of various cultures. Having lived in Asia for a long time, I have been exposed to and deeply experienced many of these cultures before.

My conclusion is that it has always been difficult to separate what is cultural from what is religious, when it comes to dealing with issues in Asia.

To briefly put this issue in context, there has been a revival among academic circles and seminaries in Asia to remove the “cultural” baggage that the western missionaries brought to Asia, and to articulate an authentic Asian theology. The presupposition is that if one can find what the essential kernel of Christian belief is, then that is what we can present to Asians, in their own cultural setting. For example, the early Indian converts changed their names to English ones (not Hebrew, as one might expect) due to the need to identify with the “new” religion. They also started wearing shirt and pants, and changed their dietary habits. Much of this change was cultural, and in and of itself, was not wrong. But the effect was to identify Christianity as a western religion.

But there is a change in the 21st century! In North America, as mainline Christianity has become “diluted”, and may I say “polluted”, by the world, the trend has reversed. Now, many religious Asian customs are being foisted onto churches and society under the guise of “culture”.

How do we know what is religious and what is custom? A North American would readily accept something as cultural if the church presented it as such. Yet it is not so simple. As an ethnic South Asian, I have difficulty because what I feel is a religious custom may not be that way for another Asian Christian. And this is where the issue becomes heated.

In an evangelical community of South Asians, there is the movement toward ethnic dress. This is good, and it is nice to see the cheongsam of the Chinese and the saree of the Indian make a comeback. But then, what do we do when the dragon dance or the yoga classes make their debut? What about henna tattoos, with their images of the zodiac? What about yin-yang healing or zen meditation?

The cardinal rule that I think a Christian must ensure is that the historical roots of the custom are not based on the pagan religion. This requires research and talking to the practitioners of these customs.

For example, yoga practitioners readily say that the philosophical foundations of their system are Hindu based. Yet, churches readily start yoga classes and do not enquire as to what the mantras mean or whether the “exercise” poses reflect a worship of the hindu gods.

But read what was written on 15th Feb 2006, by Cathy Lynn Grossman in USA Today entitled “Hindu Lite”:

“Reincarnation is a core belief in Hinduism, says Mark Hawthorne, who writes for Hinduism Today, but the ultimate aim is for the soul to transcend its individuality and reunite with the one God.

Yoga's mind-body workout has attracted at least 16.5 million Americans, says Yoga Journal. And, the magazine assures readers, it's not necessary to study or follow a Hindu or Buddhist path to practice.

However, authentic Hindu yoga is a 5,000-year-old discipline "designed to change your consciousness," says Hawthorne. Yoga's meditative chanting is believed to carry spiritual vibrations that bring one close to God”.
Source: (http://www.usatoday.com/life/2006-02-15-hindu-lite_x.htm)

The writer titles her article Hindu Lite! If secular writers are noticing that Hindu Lite is influencing American culture, what are churches doing about it? We are to guard against it. Any light “Lite”, be it “Zen Lite” or “TM Lite” is not compatible with the gospel, for any other philosophy is not of God. And there can be no fellowship.

2 Cor 6: 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

The same process of discernment must be applied to all other eastern customs and traditions that are popular these days. North Americans culture has been redeemed of much pagan influence over the centuries, though some still persist (e.g Halloween). But new trends must be evaluated and church members warned if necessary.

Yes, we can talk of redeeming customs from their pagan roots, but do we really want to fight that battle when we have not even reached out effectively to preach the gospel to all peoples?

As Christians we must think hard about any new eastern customs or traditions that we want to introduce in churches, and only accept customs that have no religious roots. If in doubt, it is better to wait rather than to give the devil a toehold in the sanctuary of God.

I have noted that God has gifted us differently. Some Christians are strong in their faith with regard to exposure to idols and demonic customs. Yet others, just as faithful, feel a reaction or get sick if they encounter the same. Yet the latter might be far more gifted prayer warriors than the former! Such is the Lord’s gifting and it makes us stronger as a local church family when we respect and utilize each other’s gifts to the maximum.

In that context and principle, those who argue that it is all right to allow questionable practices in to the church because they look innocuous, or are not being used in their religious context, must think of their fellow believers to whom this might be a stumbling block.

1 Cor 8:9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?

We are to remember that syncretism can affect those who are strong in faith (a reminder for those who think they are strong - 1 Cor 10:12 "Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall".), but will adversely affect those who are weak or lukewarm Christians. It will definitely dilute the gospel for those who have grown up in religious Asian homes with strong teaching of Buddhism, Hinduism or Islam. As leaders, we are not to do anything that might lead people astray, for great is our judgment if we do. Appropriate research is mandatory, together with dialogue with converts from that particular religion and ethnic group, before proceeding.

It is better to wait than to err.

Amen
Dr Joshua Raj