The document discusses different aspects of culture including universal culture, subculture, and individual identity. It then contrasts the Christian Gospel with the "cultural gospel" or messages and values promoted by culture. The document outlines three Christian responses to tensions between these gospels: isolation, assimilation, and enculturation. Enculturation aims to discern God's influence in all cultures while recognizing cultures also have unhealthy elements, requiring Christians to evaluate and choose cultural influences.

9. The assumption of this unit is that there ARE times when these contradict Three Christian responses: isolation, assimilation, enculturation

16. James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to care for orphans and widows * in their affliction and to keep oneself unstained by the world (culture).

17. 1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things of the world. * If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, sensual lust, * enticement for the eyes, and a pretentious life, is not from the Father but is from the world (culture). Yet the world and its enticement are passing away. But whoever does the will of God remains forever.

18. John 3:16-17 For God so loved the world (culture) that he gave * his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world (culture) to condemn * the world (culture), but that the world (culture) might be saved through him.

19. Matt 5:14-16 You are the light of the world (culture). A city set on a mountain cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and then put it under a bushel basket; it is set on a lamp stand, where it gives light to all in the house. Just so, your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father .

20. John 17:14-18 I gave them your word, and the world (culture) hated them, because they do not belong to the world (culture) any more than I belong to the world (culture). * I do not ask that you take them out of the world (culture) but that you keep them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world (culture) any more than I belong to the world (culture). Consecrate them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world (culture), so I sent them into the world (culture).

21. Scripture says: We are called to be IN the world but not OF the world…in the culture but not of the culture. What are we called to by God?