Cultural identity and cultural influence are playing an increasingly important role in various parts of our lives and society. We need only to look at the recent NZ Government apology for the Dawn Raids, to see that Pasifika culture is highly regarded and recognised.
Christianity and our Pasifika culture (be it Samoan, Tongan, Fijian, Niuean, Cook Island, Tokelau, Tuvalu) are interwoven. Karakia or prayers have become almost normal in public settings and meetings. And Maori or Pasifika people are usually the ones asked to do a karakia because of the connection between culture and Christianity.,. Christianity and Pasifika culture are so intertwined, that the lines between our cultural identity and the true, saving Gospel are constantly blurred.
When Samoan matai or orators (tulafale) deliver a formal speech during ceremonial protocols, the following phrase is often used in some shape or form: “E mamalu le Tala Lelei ona o le aganuu”. Translated, this statement has the idea that the Gospel is esteemed because of the Samoan culture. This statement is usually an acknowledgement of a church Minister of Pastor, at a formal gathering, in a village or family event.
This raises the following questions: Does the Gospel require the Samoan culture (or any culture for that matter) to protect or to esteem it in some way? Does the Gospel need my Pasifika culture to give it credibility or honour? Does the Gospel require any form of cultural identity to raise its significance – rather than, relying solely on what it represents in its divine content and divine purpose?
I am proud of my Pasifika heritage and love my Samoan-ness. But the Gospel, the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation, is God’s divine truth. The inconvenient truth is that many of our cultural practices go against Scripture and does not actually build up our faith. And God’s Word has some clear guidance about the place of cultural identity and the Gospel. 1 Timothy 1: 3-4 states “that you may command certain people not to teach false doctrines any longer, or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, – such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work – which is by faith”
The testimony of the Apostle Paul, a Jewish man through and through, in Philippians 3:4-6, says – “though I also might have confidence in the flesh. If anyone else thinks he may have confidence in the flesh, I more so: circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews; concerning the law, a Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”
Paul was a proud Jew. But he later says in verse 8 “these I have counted loss for Christ” and in verse 9, he says, “I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ” .Paul had found, received and wholeheartedly embraced the life changing power of the Gospel. In 1 Corinthians 2:4 he says to the church “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” In 1 Thessalonians 1:5 “For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power”
What you see here is the supernatural power of the Gospel – NOT the power of a cultural identity. This is how the Gospel stands alone because it changes the heart of man.
In Paul’s case – a proud Jew, who murdered Christians, and then received Jesus Christ and was transformed in to one of the greatest preachers of the Gospel in human history.
My conclusion is that my cultural identity cannot offer the Gospel anything. In fact, it is secondary to my primary identity, which is found in Jesus Christ, whom the Gospel is all about. The Gospel requires nothing from a Pasifika or Samoan cultural context. The Gospel has been told the world over for more than 2000 years. It has changed lives and continues to do so today. Acts 4:12 “…for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved…” – and that is the name of Jesus.
How can I understand my Pasifika culture considering the Gospel?
1.The Gospel is first and foremost powerful. Romans 1:16 he says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”
2.Cultural traditions and practices have many limitations. The Bible warns us that people will turn away from the truth of the Gospel – and turn towards myths, genealogies: which cultural identity often bring 2 Timothy 4v 3-4 “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths”
3.Cultural tradition is unable to bring us unto salvation. Salvation is from God. Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God”
4.My cultural identity must be secondary to my identity in Christ. But God has sovereignly chosen my ethnicity and cultural identity and so a born-again Christian must ask how we can use this identity for the sharing of the Gospel? Sharing about Jesus in our Maori or Pacific languages? Testing and challenging the cultural practices that don’t line up with Scripture? Acknowledging the Gospel heritage of our culture, including how the Gospel came to my ancestors? Our cultural identities are important and God-given. But they must be secondary to the Gospel.