1. Christ or Culture?

2. Is the Bible Relevant Today? Many people believe the Bible is out-of-date and non-relevant for us today because it is based upon 1 st Century customs alone Some charge the Bible with being “sexist” and “homophobic”; the Bible needs to “catch up” with the times and be “revised” How do we know when a Bible practice is trans- cultural (for all time and place), or culture-bound (for the 1 st Century alone)?

3. Customs, Commands, and Culture Customs that do not transcend culture: dress styles (Mt. 3:4), money (Mt. 22:19), foot washing (1 Tim. 5:10), the holy kiss (Rom. 16:16; 1 Cor. 16:20; 2 Cor. 13:12; 1 Thess. 5:26; 1 Pet. 5:14), the veil (1 Cor. 11:13-16), slavery, (Eph. 6:5ff; Col. 3:22ff; Philemon; 1 Pet. 2:18ff), etc. Commands that do not transcend culture: not preaching to Gentiles (Mt. 10:5; Acts 1:8; 8:5; 10:1ff), circumcision (Acts 16:3; Gal. 2:3-5; 1 Cor. 7:19) Is the practice being prescribed (for all time and place), or simply being described (in the 1 st Century)?

4. Principles That Do Transcend Culture Marriage (Mt. 19:3-9) Gospel obedience (Mt. 28:18-20) Heterosexuality (Rom. 1:26-27) Male headship (1 Cor. 11:2-16; 14:33-35; 1 Tim. 2:13- 14; Gen. 2:21-23; 3:16) The Lord’s supper (1 Cor. 11:23-26)

5. Principles That Do Transcend Culture Morality (Eph. 4:22-23; 5:3,8-9) Modesty (1 Tim. 2:9-10; 1 Pet. 3:3-6)

6. Is the Bible Relevant Today? No one has a right to assume that a NT practice is limited to the 1 st Century unless the context demands it The apostles were guided by the H.S. to reveal all truth (Jn. 16:13-15; 1 Cor. 2:16; 14:37; 2 Pet. 1:20-21; 3:2) The NT is not out-of-date and non-relevant today (1 Pet. 1:25)