Brian O'Neill - New contributor introduction

Brian, you and your family immigrated to Northern Ireland from South Africa a few years ago. Why did you guys make such a big move?

In 2017 my wife, Danica, and I had the opportunity to go to Europe for the first time to help train and encourage my brother-in-law's church's worship team. At this point moving had never crossed our minds, but as soon as we stepped onto the crisp, frozen European soil, we both just had a sense that we were being called to Europe. We didn't know when. We didn't know where. But we knew that somehow God was orchestrating things behind the scenes and we would come back to Europe someday.

Fast forward to the end of 2018. At that time we were part of an amazing band called Wholehearted. We planned a music & evangelism mission trip to two places. Germany and Northern Ireland. Keep in mind that my wife and I didn't talk to people about the stirring in our hearts for Europe at this time but we both really wanted God to speak to us during this trip. Skipping some details, God then spoke clearly to my wife while we were in Belfast, and a while later had to break through my stubborn heart to have me listen as well.

In a nutshell, that's how we ended up in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

We intend to delve deeper into the Northern Ireland context and what it is like to represent Christ there in general and as a South African. However, as an introduction to The Gospel and Culture blog, here are a few questions for you to answer. The intention is to have all future contributors do their first post in this way. Here goes.

What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. That He became man and lived in the same way that we do. Except that He did not sin. The fact that He did not sin, yet was tempted in the same ways that we are, made Him the perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins that had separated us from God since the garden of Eden. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and was buried. After three days He proved that He is the Son of God by rising from the dead and consequently breaking the power of sin and death over our lives. By His stripes, we are healed from our sinfulness and by His blood, we are washed clean and are righteous in Him. As a result, we have free and unrestricted access to God our Father. The good news about this Good News is the fact that it is available to anyone who would come to Jesus.

What is culture?

"Culture is influenced by a group of people's basic assumptions and values, orientations to life, beliefs, policies, procedures, and behavioural conventions. These influence, but do not determine, each member's behaviour and their interpretations of other people's behaviour."

This is the internet's definition of "culture". Which essentially means that culture is the way people react, adapt and live in their current surroundings. Culture is an influencing AND influenceable "force". Because it is created by the mindset and necessity of the masses, if any of those two things change, culture will have to change. Also, according to the definition, it influences people's behaviour and sets a guideline for certain parts of life, but it does not determine what people actually do. Free will and all...

What is the difference between culture and society?

If we look at the previous question, we determine that culture is the thought pattern, actions and beliefs held by the society. Society would be the people that act as the vehicle for any particular culture to "live" through.

Can the Gospel and local culture coexist?

In short, yes even though it will cause tension. You see, the Gospel is the Good News of the work of Christ on the Cross that is available to all of humanity. It is also an invitation into a relationship with the Father. An invitation from one kingdom into another. From one way of living, acting and believing, into another. See where I'm going here? It will cause tension because it will most probably be completely different to the culture around you. People might not understand. But we need this tension. It creates curiosity and intrigue. People look at you with your new culture and wait for it to fail. They wait for it to fade out so they can tell you how stupid you've been to indulge in such a silly notion. But, the kingdom of God can withstand all the scrutiny it gets. And more so, that close eye that is kept on the culture of the Kingdom will open people's hearts to hear the Good News invitation themselves.

How should Christians approach the coming together of the two?

As I mentioned in the previous question we should be open to the opportunity that it creates. A lot of times, as Christians, we feel tension and have conflict, but we fail to see the opportunity to listen, understand and then respond. We would much rather react. A lot of times reactivity is action void of any wisdom or leading from the Holy Spirit. We need to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Tension doesn't just create uncomfortableness, it creates opportunity.

Can Christian culture add unnecessary and incorrect pressure on culture?

As Christians, we are called to follow Jesus and make disciples. When we live in a Kingdom/Christian culture, people need to see the fruit of that in our lives. People need to see how we react differently from what normative culture expects. By using the word react here, I'm not going against what I said previously about reacting. When a Christian reacts in a situation, it should be a reaction that has been shaped by our time spent in the presence of the Father. A reaction that displays the fruit of the Spirit. Not reaction led by fear of emotion. This all being said, whenever Christians act out of their own understanding, not relying on the Holy Spirit, we tend to spend more time trying to fix or change the culture around us. Pointing fingers at how wrong everybody else is doing things. This kind of action only pushes away. It does not draw near. It does not create an opportunity for invitation. It builds walls and does not break them down.

Should the Christian church in different cultures look the same? If not why does it in so many countries?

I believe that there are fundamentals that each and every church needs to adhere to. We need to look at the life of Jesus, and how he treated, discipled, corrected and loved people. We need to allow the Holy Spirit to change our hearts when we read the Word of God. We need to fulfil the great commission by making disciples of all nations, teaching them everything pertaining to life and godliness. We need to preach repentance from sin and salvation through Jesus Christ alone. Most of all, we need to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind and strength and love our neighbour as ourselves.

These things are the fundamentals that need to be engraved in our hearts. How we live those out in our different nations and cultures might need some contextualisation. What works in the West might not work in the East. We can't just copy and paste. We need to pray and ask God for a strategy to engage our different cultures.

What is church?

The church is the collective term for the body/bride of Christ. Our gatherings on a Sunday are called church because that is where a smaller collection of believers gather together. The church is not the building, it is the people.

When culture is at odds with the Gospel how do we approach it as followers of Jesus?

Be quick to listen and slow to speak. A kind word turns away wrath. By saying this, I'm saying that pushing back negatively will not have the good effect that you think it will. I'm not saying that we need to lie down and have everyone walk over us. But we need to seriously consider what Jesus meant when He said that instead of cursing our enemies, we need to bless them. The blessing is always greater than the curse. When culture presses down on us, trying to encroach on the Kingdom of God, we need to rely on Him and His strength. This is where we need unwavering faith. Lean not on our own understanding.

A lot of religions and faith systems have proselytisation built into it. How does the follower of Jesus convince people that we have the way? The only way. Something perceived by many as arrogance and oppressive, even a kind of colonialism.

Personal opinion alert... The Bible says that it is the KINDNESS of God that leads men to repentance. Evangelism is a way for us to show the love of Christ to people. If "trying to convert" someone was a matter of convincing, would they not merely be re-convinced by a greater argument? This is why evangelism can not happen without the POWER of the Holy Spirit.

Where we live here in Belfast, as I'm sure in most of the world, people (non-Christians) are so tired of being preached at. Being told what to do. That's what the world's perception of evangelism is. Someone standing on a soap box, pointing fingers and condemning them to hell if they don't accept our loving God. Don't get me wrong, people need to understand that we are sinners in need of a saviour. But if we are Christ's ambassadors, do you think that they will believe that our God is loving and kind if they see you yelling at them? Arguing with them. Debating with them that we are right and they are wrong?

God is not only love, He is also just. But we need to remember that the Gospel is GOOD NEWS, and the people who hear it need to understand and perceive it that way.

There is a massive space for apologetics in Christianity, as long as the motivation is the other person's heart and not their mind. As long as our own knowledge doesn't become our strength and god we lean on the power of the Spirit. And as long as we don't do it just because we like to argue.

Are there any other thoughts you would like to add about the coming together of Jesus’ message and the culture in which it is presented?

Jesus spent time with the people deemed to be outside of God. Sinners, tax collectors. He didn't care if they thought He came "drinking and eating". He engaged where it was needed. The healthy don't need a doctor, but the sick do. Show the KIND hand of Jesus to the world and they would much rather grab it than the swords of condemnation we so easily spit towards them.