John Wayne, James Dean, Mr. Rogers, Mickey Mouse, Oprah Winfrey… cultural icons. These people – more than just shape our culture – they are our culture. What about Jesus? Is Jesus also a cultural icon? What is His relationship to culture – the way we, as a people, live and think and relate to each other? Richard Niebuhr described several ways Christians relate to culture. First, Christ against Culture. Second, Christ of Culture. Christ and culture – or at least the highest expressions of culture – are in agreement.

Culture is the way we, as a people, live and think. It’s the way we relate and communicate to each other. It’s the activities we participate in, the art we enjoy, and the things we believe. Our language, movies, and music; our morality and laws; our food and our drink, are all part of our culture. How is a Christian supposed to relate to culture? Should a Christian’s culture be the same or different? Theologian and author Richard Niebuhr described several ways Christians relate to culture. First, Christ against Culture.