CAN AN EVANGELICAL, H. RICHARD NIEBUHR HELP CATHOLICS WHO ARE GOING OFF THE CATHOLIC RAILS WHEN IT COMES TO RESPONDING TO CULTURE? I WOULD SAY SO, BUT WHO KNOWS?

 When I was in the seminary, 1976 to 1980, we studied Niebuhr’s five models for Christian cultural engagement. I found it very helpful. While he wrote all this in the early 1950’s it was especially pertinent in the 1970’s. Since Pope Francis has helped the religious world to return to the 1970’s theology, perhaps it can help us again, but now in the 2020’s. Will it help us respond to drag queens? Black face? And other impersonations of actors? Maybe not but we can try to fit this shoe on Cinderella’s step sisters, the drag queen Cinderella. 

This is a Protestant view and “sola Scriptura” approach. We as Catholics have a richer tradition which included Sacred Tradition. keep that in mind:

Scripture Above All

Niebuhr’s five models for Christian cultural engagement provide a good spectrum for how Christians have related to culture in the past and relate to culture today. These views shape our discussions and thoughts around cultural engagement and help point out areas that can be difficult for us to see in ourselves otherwise. However, these models alone do not provide a perfect answer.

Ultimately, scripture should be our primary and final authority on how we are to relate to the culture around us. We are to be salt and light unto the world, whether encouraging other believers, performing everyday tidying up chores with our family, or sharing Jesus with the attendees of Drag Queen Story Hour. As Jesus explicitly states in Matthew 28, we are to do this into all nations. Our engagement and relationship to the world, the culture around us, will vary between all of these views developed by Niebuhr, based on the situations we face. But through it all, taking Christ to the culture around us will bring glory to God!