Biblical Worldview: James Davison Hunter's Definition Of Culture

Copyright 2014

Many have sought to define culture, and in so doing, each provides their own point of view. To help, James Davison Hunter provides his explanation as, “The essence of culture is found in the hearts and minds of individuals—in what are typically called “values.” From this definition, the question begs, from where do values come? A person’s values are lived out based on their worldview. Concerning a worldview, Charles Colson explains, “It is simply the sum total of our beliefs about the world, the “big picture” that directs our daily decisions and actions.” For the Christian, the Bible should be foundational for the establishment of a biblical worldview and proper understanding of culture. Richard Niebuhr provides a thorough

Culture is the “artificial, secondary environment” which man superimposes on the natural. It comprises language, habits, ideas, beliefs, customs, social organization, inherited artifacts, technical processes, and values. This “social heritage,” this “reality sui generis,” which the New Testament writers frequently had in mind when they spoke of “the world,” which is represented in many forms but to which Christians like other men are inevitably subject, is what we mean when we speak of culture.

With these definitions in mind, how does a person understand and relate to culture? A proper view of theology is necessary to appropriately apply that worldview to one’s

As such, with the pace at which culture is shifting, utilizing an older view of a culture is no longer useful. This could almost be said at any given point in history. For example, the culture during the Reformation was not the same as the culture of the Renaissance. The culture in the world today, especially with technological advancements, is in some ways more unified while noticeably different. Therefore, older views will not provide appropriate insight into the cultures of today. James Davison Hunter remarks, “Most of what really counts, in terms of what shapes us and directs us, we are not aware of; it operates far below what most of us are capable of consciously grasping.” Thankfully, the Bible is an authoritative, unchanging truth to correctly guide a proper worldview. The narrative throughout Scripture is one of creation, fall, redemption and restoration. While this plot line began with the Bible, it is also common in culture, especially within the arts, such as literature and movies. Concerning the Bible, Michael Goheen and Craig Bartholomew state, “It begins with the creation of all things and ends with the renewal of all things.” For the Christian, having a proper understanding of the creation, fall, redemption and restoration will provide insight into why their culture is like it is, and how to interact within it. Each of these four major areas will now be