THE GOSPEL AND CULTURE PROJECT
James E. Brown Jr.
RLGN 210: Introduction to Cultural Engagement
February 15, 2025
Contents
Church Assignment..................................................................................................................1
Gospel Implications Assignment..............................................................................................1
The Personal and Communal Gospel Assignment....................................................................1
Contextualization Assignment.................................................................................................2
Engagement Motivation Assignment.......................................................................................2
Model Critique Assignment.....................................................................................................2
Model Selection Assignment...................................................................................................3
Bibliography............................................................................................................................4
1
Engagement Motivation
Cultural shifts over the past twenty years have been profound, and it is imperative to
confront the ongoing debates surrounding critical issues such as gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights,
abortion, gun control, immigration policies, climate change, and the adoption of new
technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Discussions about racial justice, which have persisted
for over two decades, must evolve urgently to create meaningful solutions.
Police brutality, systemic racism, and racial profiling are serious issues that demand
immediate attention and action. The debates regarding transgender rights, same-sex marriage,
gender roles, and gender-neutral language are not merely contentious—they are urgent
matters that need resolution. We cannot ignore the strong divisions along political party lines
that obstruct constructive dialogue; these divisions must be tackled head-on.
Access to abortion services is a non-negotiable issue that elicits strong opinions on both
sides. Society must engage with the legality and morality of abortion decisively and with
conviction. Religious beliefs significantly influence these discussions and are essential for
societies to navigate the intersection of faith and policy with care, ensuring that advocacy aligns
with justice and equality for all.
“The first step in active contextualization is to understand and, as much as possible,
identify with your listeners, the people you are seeking to reach.1 For the cause of Christ,
Christians must not shy away from addressing controversial cultural topics. They must engage
with these issues confidently, approaching them with peace, respect, and patience. Paul wrote,
“To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people,
that by all means, I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with
them in its blessings, 1 Corinthians 9:22 (English Standard Version). Pietism asserts that the key
to changing the world is transforming hearts one at a time through evangelism and discipleship.
1 Timothy Keller, Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City (Grand Rapids, MI:
Zondervan, 2012), 120.
2
By increasing the number of Christians, society can be improved and transformed.
Furthermore, it is essential to recognize that it is not the responsibility of Christians to
attempt to improve culture, even indirectly.”1 A personal experience with Christ is vital for
genuine transformation in a person. The “Emerging church proponents know what they don’t
want—the cultural obliviousness of pietism.”2 Christians must actively engage with the cultural
developments around them and refuse to live in ignorance.
Bibliography
Timothy Keller, Center Church: Doing Balanced, Gospel-Centered Ministry in Your City
(Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2012), 120.
Ibid., 190.
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1 Ibid., 190.
2 Ibid., 188.
