Grace Anatomy – It Is About Us, Not I

This Bible teaching from Founded In Truth Fellowship explores the crucial differences between individualistic Western cultures and the collectivistic cultures in which the Bible was written. Matthew Vander Els highlights how our modern, Western mindset can lead to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of scripture by injecting our cultural values into ancient texts and missing the original intent.

The Impact of Cultural Lenses on Scriptural Interpretation

The speaker emphasizes that while the Bible is for us, it was not originally written to our individualistic culture. Our Western culture prioritizes the individual, personal choice, independence, and standing out. Examples like the debate around mandatory school uniforms illustrate this, where individual freedom of expression is often valued above collective benefits like safety and improved academic performance. This contrasts sharply with Eastern, collectivistic cultures where the focus is on the community, family, tribe, and nation as a whole. Harmony, conformity, and fulfilling one’s role within the community are paramount. Proverbs from Asian cultures, such as “the tallest blade of grass gets cut first” and “the nail that sticks out gets hammered,” reflect this emphasis on blending in for the good of the group.

This fundamental cultural difference has significant implications for how we read and understand the Bible. If scripture was written to a collectivistic audience focused on “us” rather than “I,” our individualistic interpretations might lead us astray. Examples like arranged marriages in collectivistic cultures, where the community’s well-being and the joining of families are central, contrast with the Western emphasis on individual romantic love as the basis for marriage. Even in areas where Western culture has collective aspects, like sports and the military, individualistic values still tend to surface, such as the “Most Valuable Player” award and the “Army of One” recruitment campaign.

Reconsidering Biblical Narratives Through a Collectivistic Lens

The teaching then delves into specific biblical narratives to illustrate how a collectivistic understanding can provide new insights. The traditional Western interpretation of the nativity story often depicts Mary and Joseph as traveling and giving birth alone in a stable because there was no room at the inn. However, considering the collectivistic nature of ancient Israelite society, it’s more likely they were surrounded by family in their ancestral hometown of Bethlehem, where everyone went for the census. The Greek word “kataluma,” translated as “inn,” more accurately means a guest chamber or guest room, often found within a family home. Poorer homes typically consisted of a single room with a raised sleeping area and mangers for animals on the lower level. Therefore, Jesus may have been born in the living area of a relative’s home and placed in a manger, which was a common fixture in such dwellings. The presence of family, responsible for midwifery, would have been the norm, contrary to the solitary picture often painted.

Furthermore, teamwork and cooperation were essential in ancient ministries. Paul consistently worked with a team, and even the writing of his letters was often a collaborative effort involving co-authors, as indicated in the opening verses of several epistles, such as 1 Corinthians 1:1 (Paul and Sosthenes), 2 Corinthians 1:1 (Paul and Timothy), and Galatians 1:2 (Paul and all the brethren). This collective approach to ministry contrasts with the Western emphasis on individual leadership and achievement.

Individual Choice Within a Collective Identity

While emphasizing the collectivistic context, the teaching acknowledges the individual decision of faith. Jesus’s challenging words in Luke 14:26, about hating one’s family in comparison to loving Him, were revolutionary even in a collectivistic society. However, in non-Western cultures, the decision to follow a new faith often involved the family and community. The conversions of entire households in the Book of Acts, such as the Philippian jailer and his family (Acts 16:31-34) and Cornelius and his household (Acts 10), reflect this collective dimension, where the head of the household’s decision often influenced the entire family.

The concept of family itself was broader in non-Western cultures, extending to bloodlines and the wider community. Jesus redefined family to include all those united in faith, as seen in Matthew 12:48-50, where he declared his disciples to be his mother, brothers, and sisters. Paul also frequently used family terminology to describe the fellowship of believers, emphasizing their interconnectedness and mutual responsibility. His instructions in Titus 2:1-5 and other epistles highlight the roles of older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters within the faith community, promoting mutual support and guidance.

The Western Shift Towards Individualism in Faith

The teaching touches upon the historical shift in Western Christianity towards individualism, particularly after the Great Awakening in the 18th century. The move away from infant baptism and the emphasis on adult conversion led to a more individualistic understanding of faith and church membership. This shift has contributed to a modern tendency to view faith as a personal preference, akin to a social club membership that can be easily terminated when individual needs are not met. This individualistic mindset contradicts the biblical concept of believers as permanently and spiritually united as the family of God (Ephesians 2:19).

The example of Anne Rice leaving Christianity while still committed to Christ illustrates the extreme of this individualistic approach, where one seeks to define their faith apart from the body of believers. Scripture never presents this as a valid option; instead, it emphasizes the importance of unity within the body of Messiah, as highlighted in Jesus’s prayer in John 17:20-23. This unity is meant to be a powerful witness to the world.

Living for God’s Glory Together

Ultimately, the teaching emphasizes that our purpose in life, as stated in Isaiah 43:7, is to bring glory to God and further His kingdom, not to pursue our own individual interests. Matthew 6:33 calls us to seek first the kingdom of God. Our faith should be the central priority, guiding how we use our time, talents, and resources. Just as the human body functions with many interconnected members (Romans 12:4-5), the body of Messiah is meant to work together, with each member using their gifts to serve one another and advance the kingdom. This involves actively supporting ministries and fellow believers, contributing to the collective effort of spreading the message of Yeshua. Breaking away from the fellowship due to personal preferences or disagreements is contrary to this biblical understanding. The focus should be on “us” – the collective body of believers working together to restore God’s kingdom.

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Application for Everyday Life:

• Prioritize the Kingdom: Make furthering God’s kingdom a central focus in your daily decisions regarding time, money, and effort.
• Embrace Community: Recognize that being a believer means being part of a larger family and actively engage with and support your faith community.
• Serve Others: Look for opportunities to use your gifts and talents to serve fellow believers and contribute to the work of ministries.
• Practice Commitment: Commit to your fellow believers, even through disagreements and personal conflicts, understanding that unity is a powerful witness.
• Seek Collectivistic Understanding of Scripture: Be mindful of the cultural context in which the Bible was written and consider interpretations that emphasize the community and God’s kingdom.
• Support Ministries: Actively participate in furthering the kingdom through both your time and financial resources, supporting ministries that align with biblical values.
• Value Unity: Recognize that unity among believers is a sign of God’s presence and actively work towards fostering harmony within the body of Messiah.
• Learn from the Older Generation: Embrace the wisdom and experience of older members in the faith community for guidance and support.