In reading Acts and the Epistles, something I am always amazed by is how Paul (a Pharisee/Jew!) is able to minister to the churches of Philippi, Thessalonika, Rome, Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, etc. Paul has a very different background from these churches, and these churches themselves are very different culturally, regionally, and geographically. Despite all this, the doctrine is still theologically unified. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the same for someone in the church of Galatia as it is in Ephesus. Nothing changes---it is immutable and catholic (universal). When Peter became divisive and imposed Jewish cultural standards on the Church (recounted in Galatians 2); Paul rebukes him. "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you force the Gentiles to live like Jews?" (Galatians 2:14). Throughout the NT, it is emphasized again and again that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is for all cultures!
"Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the father" (John 4:21)
"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Galatians 3:28)
"Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, Slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all" (Colossians 3:11).
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Matthew 28:19)
The Gospel in America is the same in all cultures, all over the world.
Before I started to follow Christ, I was horribly elitist. I would set up barriers to be a close friend: you had to listen to really good music (to me listening to bands and people such as Bob Dylan, My Bloody Valentine, GY!BE, Kanye West, and so on), able to discuss philosophy and literature well, someone who watches arthouse and classic films, and someone who's personality clicked with mine. Anyone who did not fulfill at least two of these requirements was cast aside (unless you were a cute girl). However, setting up these barriers also led to isolation---obviously not many people could fulfill these arbitrary requirements and I would as a result not have many close friends.
After I became Christian however, many of this started to change. I learned that the shared devotion to Jesus Christ was a stronger bond than anything similar aesthetic, political, and intellectual values. While they are nice to share (such as when I get to discuss philosophy and sociology with Danny H or Alex H) this is not the ultimate connection---only Christ is, and when I let down these barriers I have been able to serve and be served by some of the best people I know. Some of my closest friends don't share my likes and interests, but we are still able to have some of the deepest and encouraging talks.
Today I was studying at Yami Tea Time to meet up with Mitchell, and was surprised by visits from Arianne, Patrick, Katie, and Fiona (brothers and sisters I met through Epic). We prayed together, laughed together, and just talked. It blessed me tremendously as they prayed for me before I left for Thailand, and it just reminded me of a truth I often forget: the catholic church of God connects people far deeper than interests, likes, distance, and personality. God has given these differences that we should celebrate, but ultimately these should be used to unite rather than divide.
"For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in the grace given to use, let use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in genereosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness" (Romans 8:4-8).Because of this, I have been able to encourage (and be encouraged), rebuke (and be rebuked), learn, teach, weep with, rejoice with, and ultimately live with the vast and sprawling network of Christians that transcends cultural, age, and regional barriers.
Right now, only about 1.8 % of the Thai population considers themselves Christian, and only .5% of the 1.8% considers themselves evangelical/protestant. My longing is that this percentage will grow, and that more Thai people are able to be inducted in to local churches, and by extension the universal church of God.Their backgrounds, creativity, intellect would be a blessing to the Kingdom of God, just as the Kingdom of God will be a blessing to them. I cannot wait for the day in heaven when all cultures and tongues come together with their different cultural art forms, cuisines, hymnodys, compositions, stories, and ideas; integrated and united under one goal---to worship. "All the nations you have made shall come and worship before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name" (Psalm 86: 9).
Chenglin Lee
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