Sometimes we talk about “the culture” when we are referring to unbiblical trends in entertainment, politics and society. Other times churches talk about “our culture” referring to how we welcome people, train leaders, or do discipleship.

Culture can be a force for evil and a force for good.

Are these “cultures” the same? It wouldn’t seem so, since one is bad and the other is good. But then why do we use “culture” to describe both?

“Culture” makes sense in both those contexts because the same underlying reality is present in both.  Good cultures can become bad, and bad cultures can be redeemed.

But, if so much about culture seems to be part of the problem, should Christians know culture?