From Jerusalem to the Nations: Why the Gospel Was Never Meant to Be Westernized

Introduction: The Gospel Beyond Cultural Boundaries

Throughout history, Christian mission work has often been entangled with cultural imperialism, leading to the conflation of faith with foreign customs. While the Gospel transcends cultural boundaries, missionaries have frequently imposed their own societal norms on indigenous peoples, sometimes unintentionally equating Christianity with Western civilization. This phenomenon has led to the suppression of native traditions, the loss of cultural identity, and resistance to evangelization.

As Dr. John H. Walton aptly states in The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest:
"If we really are interested in what the Bible says, we should take particular care that our interpretations do not simply result in us construing the text to say whatever we would prefer it to say or think it should say. ... while [the Bible] has relevance and significance for us, it was not written to us. It was written in a language that most of us do not understand, to a culture very different from ours, and to a people who thought very differently from how we do. If we want to understand what something in the Bible means, we have to first understand what it meant to the people to whom it was originally written."

This insight underscores the necessity of distinguishing biblical truth from cultural assumptions, particularly in mission work. Historical examples such as the Boxer Rebellion, the Christianization of the Americas, and Australia illustrate the consequences of conflating faith with cultural dominance.

Historical Case Studies: When Evangelization Became Cultural Replacement

The Boxer Rebellion: Christianity and Western Imperialism

The Boxer Rebellion (1899–1901) in China was, in part, a reaction against foreign influence, including Christian missionaries. (1) Many Chinese viewed Christianity as an extension of Western imperialism, particularly as missionaries often aligned themselves with colonial powers. (2) Protestant and Catholic missionaries, while genuinely seeking to spread the Gospel, inadvertently contributed to the perception that conversion required adopting Western customs. (3) The rebellion saw violent attacks on Christians, both foreign and Chinese converts, as the Boxers sought to purge foreign influence from their land. The suppression of the rebellion by foreign troops further cemented the association between Christianity and Western dominance, making evangelization even more challenging in the years that followed.

The Christianization of the Americas: Suppression of Indigenous Beliefs

The European colonization of the Americas brought widespread missionary efforts, particularly by Spanish and Portuguese Catholics. While many missionaries sought genuine conversion, evangelization was often accompanied by forced cultural assimilation. This approach led to resistance, syncretism, and, in some cases, the rejection of Christianity altogether.

Australia: The Struggle for Indigenous Identity

Christian missions in Australia often sought to "civilize" Aboriginal peoples by imposing European customs alongside Christian teachings. Indigenous Australians were placed in mission settlements where their traditional customs were discouraged or banned. Over time, many Aboriginal Christians sought to reclaim their heritage while maintaining their faith, demonstrating the need for a culturally sensitive approach to evangelization.

American Christianity and the "Biblical" Position

One of the most significant modern challenges to disentangling cultural presuppositions from the Gospel is the tendency of American Christianity—particularly fundamentalism—to view itself as the definitive "biblical" Christian position. Fundamentalism, which emerged in the early 20th century as a reaction against liberal theology, is characterized by biblical literalism and a rigid doctrinal framework. (4) While fundamentalists emphasize the authority of Scripture, they often interpret it through the lens of American cultural values, assuming that their understanding of Christianity is universally applicable.

This perspective has had profound implications for mission work:

• Exporting American Christianity: Many American missionaries have historically equated Christianity with American cultural norms, leading to the imposition of Western worship styles, dress codes, and social structures on indigenous communities. (5)

• Resistance to Contextualization: Some fundamentalist groups resist efforts to adapt the Gospel to local cultures, fearing that contextualization compromises biblical truth. This has led to difficulties in evangelization, as indigenous peoples often perceive Christianity as a foreign ideology rather than a faith that can be expressed within their own traditions.

• Domestic Implications: Within the United States, fundamentalism has contributed to divisions within Christianity, as adherents often view alternative interpretations of Scripture as deviations from "true" Christianity. This rigidity can hinder dialogue and outreach, making it difficult for the Gospel to resonate with diverse audiences.

The First Council of Jerusalem: A Biblical Precedent for Cultural Independence

Interestingly, the very issue of cultural identity and the Gospel was addressed by the First Council of Jerusalem, recorded in Acts 15. This council, held around AD 50, was convened to resolve a critical question: should Gentile converts to Christianity be required to adopt Jewish customs, particularly circumcision and adherence to the Mosaic Law?

Certain Jewish Christians insisted that Gentiles must follow Jewish traditions to be fully accepted into the faith. However, after much debate, the Apostles, led by Peter, Paul, Barnabas, and James, ruled that Gentiles did not need to adopt Jewish customs to be followers of Christ. Instead, they were asked only to abstain from practices directly tied to idolatry and immorality.

This decision affirmed that Christianity was not bound to a single cultural expression but rather transcended ethnic and cultural divisions. The Apostles recognized that the Gospel was meant for all people, regardless of their cultural background. Their verdict provides an essential biblical precedent against any attempt to impose a singular cultural expression of Christianity on converts, whether it be Jewish customs in the 1st century or Western traditions today.

The failure of many historical missionary efforts to apply this wisdom led to centuries of cultural imposition in the name of evangelism. As American Christianity continues to wrestle with its influence on global missions, it must acknowledge this biblical principle and work toward presenting the Gospel without imposing American cultural norms on indigenous peoples.

Modern Missionary Approaches: Teaching the Gospel Without Exporting Culture

Recognizing the mistakes of the past, contemporary missionaries are increasingly trained to distinguish biblical truth from cultural presuppositions. Many mission organizations emphasize contextualization—presenting the Gospel in a way that resonates with local cultures without imposing foreign customs. This approach acknowledges that Christianity is not synonymous with Western traditions but is a faith that can be expressed in diverse cultural forms.

For example, modern missionaries are encouraged to:

• Learn the local language and customs to communicate the Gospel effectively.

• Respect indigenous traditions that do not contradict biblical teachings.

• Avoid imposing Western worship styles and instead encourage culturally relevant expressions of faith.

• Recognize their own biases and ensure that their interpretation of Scripture is not merely a reflection of their cultural background.

Conclusion: A Gospel for All Cultures

The history of Christian mission work reveals the dangers of conflating faith with cultural imperialism. While the Gospel is universal, its expression must be adapted to different cultural contexts without erasing indigenous identities. As Dr. Walton reminds us, understanding Scripture requires recognizing its original audience and cultural setting.

For modern missionaries, the challenge is to present the Gospel in a way that is faithful to biblical truth while respecting and preserving the cultural heritage of those they seek to reach. Only by disentangling cultural presuppositions from the Gospel can mission work truly reflect the inclusive and transformative message of Christ.