One of the pushbacks I’ve seen against the criticism of TGC’s decision to name its new projects after, at the time, living Christian leaders is that it’s a cultural issue. The argument seems to be twofold. First, that it’s just grumpy Brits who are raising concerns, as though that invalidates the concerns raised. Secondly, that Americans will happily name things after other people, without losing any sleep over it because they don’t connect it with putting people on pedestals.
We’ve got used to saying that things are “cultural” as a defence or an excuse. We label them as “just cultural” meaning that they are morally neutral and we can be indifferent over them. Of course some things are cultural in that sense, there aren’t major ethical issues in the decision of English men to prefer trousers over kilts and knifes and forks over chopsticks. It makes us culturally different not morally inferior or superior. There are lots of examples of this kind of thing where we can simply rejoice in diversity of preferences and disposition.
However, this doesn’t mean that because something is cultural that it will always be morally neutral. There are also things that are specific to certain cultures and contexts which we would recognise as morally wrong and in fact, closer analysis shows that within those cultures people would question and challenge those practices.
It is possible for something to become significant to a culture which is sinful and idolatrous. In fact, that’s the point of the warning that we become like our idols. Now, it doesn’t take much time investigating US culture, including church culture to realise that there is as big a problem there with putting people on pedestals. Indeed, I’ve just read a biography of wonderful Christian leader which whilst great on some levels, in my opinion at times risks becoming hagiographic. If a particular culture doesn’t lose any sleep over something, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t an issue for them. It means that they have a blind spot in that area.
Now, if British believers are raising specific concerns regarding the Keller and Carson centres, its not because we are free from this particular problem. Those tendencies are there in British culture too. When I joke that Don Carson’s book “The gagging of God” was the most owned, least read book in conservative evangelical circles back in the nineties, I was describing the UK context. We’ve put Piper and Carson, Stott and Lloyd Jones on pedestals too. It’s just that some of us have been alert to that particular danger whilst of course having our own blind spots which we need others to pick up on.
That’s one of the reasons why there’s blessing in being part of Christ’s worldwide, multicultural, diverse body. However, it does mean we need to listen to each other.
Faithroots 