Jibu Ninan

New India Bible Seminary

Kerala, India

A Theological Response to the Impact of Cultural

Globalization on Churches

Introduction

The phenomenon of globalization is undeniably a complicated one. It has to be

understood from different dimensions, and its impact is not confined to one particular

aspect, but all are interrelated.1 The very concept of globalization means “different things

to different people.”2 Culture means that “all the merchandise of a society is being

created over time and shared. These products could be also tangible or intangible,

happiness to the fabric or insubstantial dimensions of culture, severally.”3 But, there is no

particular definition given to the term ‘cultural globalization’ however, it refers to the

transmission of ideas, meanings, and values around the world in such a way as to spread

and strengthen social relations.4

Cultural globalization is very observable in the socio-cultural aspects of the

church in a great deal. The question here needs to answer is, what theological responses

may be offered in this context in the light of this reality, which we call cultural

globalization? The aim of the researcher here is, not to distinguish ‘good’ or ‘bad’ effects

1
Mary Mee-Yin Yuen, “Response of Christian Churches to Globalization”, October 2005,
https://www.academia.edu/2032405/Response_of_Christian_Churches_to_Globalization_Hong_Kong_Ko
ng_Christian_Churches_of_Asia _2005 (accessed October 16, 2018).
2
Cedric Prakash SJ, “The Impact of Globalization on Christian Mission in India”, A Paper presented for
the Research Seminar on The Church in India in the Emerging Third Millennium at National Biblical,
Catechetical & Liturgical Centre, Bangalore (4-9 January 2005).
3
Aqueil Ahmad, “Globalization of Culture or (Cultural Globalization)”,
https://www.springerprofessional.de/globalization-of-culture-or-cultural-globalization/7307482 (accessed
October 17, 2018).
4
“Cultural Globalization”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cultural_globalization (accessed October 17,
2018).Quotes from Paul James, Globalization, Nationalism, Tribalism (London: Sage Publications, 2006).

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

of cultural globalization on churches, rather to understand the effects on lives and human

relationships5 to respond theologically. Cultural globalization is primarily a constructed

culture.6 It entails the promotion of a specific kind of lifestyles, ideas, consumptions,

patterns, products, and identities.7 The challenges faced here in this research are twofold:

firstly, to understand how cultural globalization brought drastic changes in the values and

traditions of the people of the church in a wider perspective. Secondly, how and what are

the ways, the church can influence a broader cultural change?

This research is an attempt to bring out theological responses to the impact of the

above-mentioned phenomenon in the light of the Scripture in the present context of the

church in India. This paper deals with the impact of cultural globalization, ethical

challenges to the church, and theological response to the impact of the cultural

globalization.

1. Impacts of Cultural Globalization

Down through the centuries, traditions and moral values of the Christian culture

have eroded at large as cultural globalization disrupts families and communities.8 It has

spread cultural forms very powerfully, such as consumer culture, modern culture and the

single culture. Social Media has played a major role in spreading cultures across the

world and has shaped the individual Christians to have certain attitudes that are good or

5
Feliciano V. Carino, “Globalization: Some Ethical and Theological Reflections and Consideration”,
Globalization and Its Impact on Human Rights, edited by Mathews George Chunakara (Tiruvalla:
Christava Sahitya Samithy, 2000), 131.
6
Anthony D. Smith, “Towards a Global Culture?”, Global Culture: Nationalism, Globalization and
Modernity, edited by Mike Featherstone (New Delhi: Age Publications, 1995), 177.
7
George Varghese, Historical Roots of the Modern World (Changanacherry: Prathibha Publications, 2001),
220.
8
Mary Mee-Yin Yuen, “Response of Christian Churches to Globalization”, (October 2005).

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

bad. This has impacted any ordinary citizen anywhere in the nook and corner of the

world. But for the Indian Christians, the challenge remains on how to be intelligent to

adjust and adapt to the fast pace of today’s multimedia.9 This is, however, only one of the

avenues including tourism by which the erosion is taking place.

Critically, we can argue that social media is the agent of cultural globalization

because it has affected people socially on a wider scale10and the church is not exempted

from its influence. It affected today’s trends and felt by almost everyone in the world

because it involves the spread of language, arts, food, business ideas and technology. As

a result, the interaction of cultural globalization around the planet is becoming more and

more similar. It is contradictory to the cultural distinctiveness in which people preserve

their own cultural traditions that are different from each other.11 The chief criticism of

cultural globalization is that it controls some cultural traditions and values of the land.

History notably pointed out that once Christians had given more importance for

the values and the culture. In the early days, the traditional practices of Hindu culture

were part of every Christian church and family. They are deeply rooted in Christian faith,

social customs and cultural values parallel to Hindu customs.12 But, due to the impact of

cultural globalization, the church stood for reform, and she failed to realize the

importance of traditional culture and values even in the worship place as well as in

9
Cedric Prakash SJ, “The Impact of Globalization on Christian Mission in India”.
10
“Cultural Globalization”, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/cultural_globalization (accessed October 17,
2018).
11
“What is cultural globalization? Illustrate with examples in relation to Britain or other countries”,
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-cultural-globalization-illustrate-with-317965 (accessed
October 18, 2018).
12
Roy Chicago, Captive of Culture (Delhi: ISPCK, 2010), 76.

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Kerala, India

Christian family. It gave up many of the cultural practices and cultural identity continued

by the early church.13

One can argue that, hence, cultural globalization is destroying unique cultural

practices of the Christians and thereby affecting the cultural diversity, which exists in the

globe. This process is also known as cultural imperialism, which includes the negative

aspects of those cultures.14 As a result, in recent years, many of the cultural traditions and

values are changing or have changed. The cultural globalization often clashed with the

traditional values of family and sexuality. It has even affected the church worship and

fellowship. Roy Chicago says, “language, dress, food, customs, manners, and sexual

preference support needs, and in all matters of a church community, culture plays an

important part”.15 Today the church and its members are facing an uphill battle for their

existence, faith and culture.

1.1. Fundamental Changes in Family Values

Culture is the richest heritage for indigenous people, they consider that without

which they have no history or roots. It is visible that cultural globalization has brought

radical changes in the family values. The family is subjected to this process. Prakasa Rao

describes that “although the family is the most conservative institution only next to

religion, it is not untouched by the process”.16 Joseph George states that “the family as

the primary caring institution across cultures has contributed significantly to human

13
Ibid., 81.
14
“What are some advantages and disadvantages of cultural globalization?”,
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-some-advantages-disadvantages-cultural-720484 (accessed
October 17, 2018).
15
Roy Chicago, Captive of Culture, 88-89.
16
V.V. Prakasa Rao & V. Nandini Rao, Marriage, the Family and Women in India (New Delhi: Heritage
Publications, 1985), 1.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

development, emotional nurturing, fulfilling relational and social needs, and providing a

context for the most intimate human interactions”.17

The influence of cultural globalization on the traditional family system can be

seen in personality development, gender relations, extended family relations, family

value orientation, the relation between the marital partners, family structures both in

urban and rural families, etc.18 It is the reason, the structure of the family value systems,

and the traditional cultural practices transformed when a new culture interfere with it.

Ambirajan says,

No culture can remain totally static and unchanging, because as humans we have the
capacity to cumulate knowledge and alter our external surroundings and internal thought
process…the more opportunity a society gets to know another society, the more it
undergoes a transformation.19

Culture changes, never remain static, when the society develops and its impact

will be evident even in the church.

1.2. A New Family Pattern

The basic and universal social structure of human society is the family. But, the

functions and forms of the family have undergone adaptive changes with the industrial

and economic superstructure of society. One way to recognize this change is to associate

nuclear forms of families with relatively modern society and with extended or joint

families or traditional agrarian and pre-industrial societies.20 The shift from extended

17
Joseph George, “The Changing Pattern of the Family in India: Contemporary Explorations”, The
Changing Pattern of the Family of India, edited by P.D. Devanandan &M.M. Thomas (Bangalore:
Christian Institute for Study of Religion and Society, 2007), 11.
18
Ibid., 14.
19
S. Ambirajan, “Globalization and Technology: Two Sides of the Same Coin”, Globalization, Mass Media
and Indian Cultural Values, edited by Michael Traber (Delhi: ISPCK,2003), 88.
20
Yogendra Singh, Modernization of Indian Tradition (New Delhi: Rawat Publications, 1996), 174.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

family, accordingly, based society to nuclear family is an example of structural changes

happening through the process of cultural globalization. In the nuclear family, children

get more freedom to take personal decision than in the joint family.

As the extended family changes into a nuclear family in an age of globalization,

the secularization of children in the family takes on a new direction; the child has now to

grow in a comparatively much smaller social environment with too few relatives to

fondle him and look after him.21 Due to this reason, divorce and remarriages, birth

control and abortion rates are increased in Christian society over the years rather than any

other religion. The church in this situation is unable to take a strong step due to the

impact of cultural globalization where she is supposed to be a model before the world.

The Church cannot deny, yet the realities today as moral values and cultural traditions

have eroded in many places as part of cultural globalization that disturbs families and

communities. As a result, cultural issues become more subtle and sensitive, and often

more confusing.

1.3. Development of Old Age Homes

The old age home is a new concept to India. It is a home for the old people who

have no one to take care of them or thrown out of their home22 by their children.

Especially, cultural globalization has led in a dramatic way in weakening the economic

structure, social values and social institutions like the joint family. In this changing

economic and social environment, the new generation is searching for new identities

21
Ibid., 175.
22
“Old Age Home Support”, http://www.friendscarefoundation.org/our-services/old-age-home-support
(accessed October 18, 2018).

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

encompassing economic independence and redefined social roles within, as well as

outside, the family.23 This is one of the serious challenges faced by the church these days.

It is unfortunate that most Christian believers send their old parents to the old age home

than that of any other religious communities, where the church is unable to take up a

decision in this matter. Though it may be a blessing for the aged people in certain

countries, it is a curse and sad to see the old parents are sent to an old rehabilitation

centre called old aged home.

Various reasons can be noted down, why old age homes are increasing in the

Indian community. The lack of much-needed love, carelessness in the family, economic

hardships and break-up of joint families, settlement of children in abroad, nuclear family

system and so on are the various reasons for shifting of the aged people to old aged

homes.24

1.4. Competitiveness

An aggressive willingness to compete is a sign of the cultural globalization. It is

evident in churches, and in various forms of expressions in the church as it is noticed in

conferences and in making church buildings. People like to have varieties of modern

amenities both in the church and in their own home. It is seen in the lifestyle, dressing,

better position, construction of a building, schooling of children, buying a new car and

other materials. The flooding of shops with a whole variety of goods and the fact that

23
Sonam Kumari, Mithilesh Verma, and Sangeeta Gupta, “Reason of Shifting People in Old Age Home”,
International Journal of Applied and Pure Science and Agriculture, 2/5 (May 2016): 177.
24
Shamsi Akbar, S.C Tiwari, Rakesh Kumar Tripathi, Ambrish Kumar, and Nisha Mani Pandey, “Reasons
for Living of Elderly to in Old Age Homes: An Exploratory Study”, International Journal of Indian
Psychology, 2/1(Oct-Dec. 2014): 59, 60.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

media plays a significant role in propagating these needs means that if someone has “to

be”, one “has to have.”25 It also became a great matter among the believers both inside

and outside the church. Competitive character caused a great financial crisis in many

families and believers are depressed in many ways. This also affected in worshipping

God with free heart and mind, because of competition and ego drives. The church in the

age of globalization, particularly pastors, need to be so watchful to the situation and try to

understand the people, must give them an appropriate teaching based on the Word of

God.

2. Ethical Challenges to the Church

Cultural globalization created a radical change in the cultural and traditional

values of Christians’ life. It becomes an ethical challenge to the teachings and practices

of the church. The church, thus, has come to a disfigured situation where no decision can

be promoted. Does it mean to close her eyes in this particular crisis? Can we allow

injustice to creep inside the church when there is a cultural transformation happens? The

researcher, however, is not going to answer these questions here, but try to bring some

matters which really challenge the ethical teachings of the church.

2.1. Moral Values

The modern worldview underlines the values and morality of youth who were

influenced by the cultural globalization. Technological innovation in communication and

media has brought a large cultural transformation in the society. As a result, the family

breakdown, divorce, abortion, violence, illegitimate relationship, crimes and numerous

25
Cedric Prakash SJ, “The Impact of Globalization on Christian Mission in India”.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

other depriving things have affected people in the contemporary world. The church has

lost its moral values; particularly youths are drifting away from Christian values.

“Disobedience has become the call of the day. There is an ever-increasing gap between

parents and the youth. Trust, love and brother/sisterhood seem a bit lost in the midst of

doubt.”26 As the situation changes, the church needs to be alert in this confused world and

take a strong step for developing youths as responsible members of the church.

Especially, present day youths of the church are caught up with an inactive faith structure

and it must be taken into consideration.

2.2. Lifestyle

Christian lifestyle appeared to be identical with cultural globalization, where

Christianity has been less than successful in presenting an attractive way of life.27 The

culture has influenced Christianity to a great extent in India today. The information

technology boom has influenced the youngest generation of the church. On the other side,

the lifestyle has changed due to odd working hours. They do not have any interactions

with families for days together since they are financially well-off and that leads to

conflict with their parents. They get into habits that are not acceptable in families due to

peer pressures.28 The culture has widely impacted behavior and lifestyle of the present

generation. It has both pros and cons towards the church since believers live in consumer

culture and in a competitive world.

26
Rakesh Peter Dass, “Youth, Faith and the Church”, The Asian Church in the New Millennium”, edited by
Raul Fernandez (Delhi: ISPCK, 2000), 119.
27
Cyril S. Cornelius & J.H. Anand, eds., We the people of Asia and Our Unity in Diversity (New Delhi:
ISPCK, 1999), 49.
28
Nirmala Vasanthakumar, “Christian Ministry in India Today-Challenges and Response”, Church’s
Ministry and Theological Education, edited by Samson Prabhakar (Bangalore: SATHRI, 2005), 26.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

2.3. Faith and Practice

Christian faith is based on God’s love as revealed in Jesus Christ. But, in

observing the relationship between the social responsibility to the world among the

Christians, and their conception of faith, we find elements that call into question the very

way we have carried out the faith transmission of the apostolate.29 By rooting our faith in

the person of Jesus Christ, who showed us by word and example what it means to hunger,

thirst, and works for justice, love, and peace.

Most of the Christians do exhibit a concern for the marginalized and hold insight

into injustice that causes such poverty and marginalization. But, today the majority of the

Christian believers of the church do not perceive any significant relationship between the

suffering and disadvantaged. At the same time, a large amount of the believers lost their

true faith in Christ in the age of globalization. It has affected the life and values of

cultural texture by the method during which it creates a greedy, competitive money-

centred and client culture.30 It alienates people from their work and creates the

psychological ambience of consumerism and thereby creates distorted Christian values

and standards. As a remark, we can argue that cultural globalization is destroying the

human faith, capacity for patience, self-control and lasting peace.

2.4. Marriage and Family Pattern

In many ways, the ideology of family seems to be in crisis. There is a common

trend, particularly among the new generation, to marry someone as they select as their

29
Isaac Arackaparambil, “Articulating a Social Catechesis in the Context of Globalization”, Kristu Jyoti,
23/1(March 2007):68.
30
Ibid., 66.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

own partner without considering their parents’ opinion, and conduct a luxurious wedding

ceremony. Most married couples, moreover, never enter into a committed relationship at

all. As a result, the number of divorces is on the increase among Christians in the present

era of globalization. The younger generation is forgetting the values and cultural tradition

of the past, due to the stress and demands of the modern style of life. “The result is that

husband and wife may neglect each other and their needs. Distances develop between

them and end in divorce or separation.”31 On the opposite facet, nuclear families square

measure related to economic process and dynamical living patterns, haven't solely offered

a much better interdependency, however, have additionally meant more isolation and

alienation.32 In this context, Christian families need to be strengthened and deepen family

ties to meet life’s challenges. The church should rethink the whole question of family. A

fresh understanding of the meaning and responsibilities of the Christian marriage and

family is urgently needed in this age of cultural globalization.

3. The Theological Response to the Impact of the Cultural Globalization

Theological considerations must be offered in this context and in the light of this

reality, which we call cultural globalization. The issues upon cultural globalization need

to be focused on are very vast, challenging and crucial. It is socially, culturally,

religiously threatening in many ways. It is, therefore, necessary to respond theologically

towards specific issues relating to cultural globalization. Christians need to show the

world, the example of living according to biblical principles. One of the basic

31
Emmanuel E. James, “The Issues and Challenges Facing Christians in India”, Aim 36/11 (November
2005):62.
32
“Rethinking Christian Family”, The North India Church Review XXXV/10 (May 2005):4.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

affirmations of the Christian faith, namely, is that character of the human family that is

created by God (Gen.1:27-28).

The fundamental worldwide reality is the human family, the reality of men and women
around the world, beyond national, confessional, ideological, racial and religious
boundaries who we believe are created in the image of God, redeemed by God’s grace in
Jesus Christ, and to whom the task of making and keeping the harmony of all creation has
been entrusted…the Gospel is always globalization oriented and the church is a usual
actor and native resident in the global theatre. Indeed, by its own affirmations, the church
is sign and symbol, seal and sacrament of the unity of all humankind, in each place and
every place. It is for this reason that the church’s teachings and highest traditions…
meaningful contribution to the emergence and foundation of a global community.33

The church here needs to give emphasis on contextual theology in the immediate

experiences of the cultural shift. It may help the church’s perception of the structure of

reality to be changed as the church become aware of new areas of human experiences and

knowledge. So, the church has to take seriously the task of reconstructing communities

through a critical awareness of the process and structures that are hostile to the civic.34

Rituals, customs, values, and beliefs of Christian churches and her believers have

changed over the years. But faith remains the same in Christianity because Jesus Christ is

the hope of our salvation. Christianity is based on the person and teachings of Jesus

Christ. Christian faith endures beyond cultural patterns. However, the felt needs of the

churches are changing by knowing the demands of the community in the cultural

globalization. In spite of these changes, the very foundation of Christians is faith in the

crucified and risen Jesus.35 Christian faith is not based on cultural events or influences,

but on the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His teachings. But, it is to be

noticed that, due to cultural shifts and its impact, the church is struggling to conduct life

33
Feliciano V. Carino, “Globalization: Some Ethical and Theological Reflections and Consideration”, 135.
34
K.C. Abraham, “Globalization and Liberative Solidarity”, Globalization and its Impact on Human
Rights, edited by Mathews George Chunakara (Tiruvalla: Christava Sahitya Samithy, 2000), 150-153.
35
Roy Chicago, Captive of Culture, 16, 17.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

worthy of Christ and His teachings today. At this juncture, Christians need to realize that

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (NKJV Heb. 13:8).

The God of the Bible is the global God. As the Creator of the universe, He is the

God of the world and God of the local people. Culture is essentially dynamic, not static.

It involves religious, material, social, aesthetic, and linguistic components. But, from the

Biblical perspective, the church must judge the pattern of the world and decide under the

counsel of the Holy Spirit all the pros and cons of it. The church must remain above

globalization, not aloof to it, but not to become so caught up, that it becomes part of the

phenomenon itself. The stress is the very part of the culture. This stress is related to the

increase in sexual immorality, crime, violence, divorce, and delinquency.36 The church

here needs to equip her members to deal with the issues of the cultural globalization.

Every generation and changing culture requires the church to find new and creative ways

of communicating the Gospel and making disciples for the Lord Jesus Christ.

4.1. Christ Transforms the Culture

God relates to all great and rich diversity of cultures. There are different levels

and types of cultural life that Christian faith needs to relate to human life, and human

faith is part of the cultural framework. “Human culture on its own stands opposed to

Christ, as part of a fallen world, but he gives us the power to remove the threat to his

Lordship which all culture contains and to establish it on a different basis.”37 Christ is the

36
Ellen Alexander, “Globalization, South Asian Youth Culture, and the Church”, Gospel and
Globalization, edited by Adrian Watkins, Leslie Nathaniel (New Delhi: ISPCK, 2006), 177.
37
Daniel Jenkins, “Culture”, Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology, edited by Alan Richardson and
John Bowden (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983), 140.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

transformer of society; He participates in the rejuvenation of creation by extending the

redemptive work, not only to the individuals but also to the human culture. The Kingdom

of God has a transformed culture because it is first of all the conversion of the human

being from the faithlessness and self-service to the knowledge of God.38

Life in Christ can change human beings. Down through the centuries, the Gospel

of Christ has transformed the people of different cultures and societies. Culture is the

pattern of behavior that can be visible in our lives. Nature does not exist without culture.

Richard Niebuhr says that,

Man’s nature has become corrupted; it is not bad, as something that ought not to exist,
but warped, twisted, and misdirected…culture is all corrupted … perverted good, not
evil; …the problem of culture is … its conversion, not of its replacement by a new
creation; …the conversion is so radical…to a kind of rebirth.39

Christ, thus, transforms the culture not by force, but by the power of God’s Spirit

and His continuous interaction with man.

4.2. Christ above Culture40

God’s sovereign rule is above the culture; therefore, the Christian should carry on

cultural work in obedience to the Lord. Cultural institutions are founded on limited

natural law, while Christ’s supernatural law enables us to reach salvation. Apostle Paul

says that “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth,

visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:

all things were created by him and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all

38
H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture (New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1975), 228.
39
Ibid., 194.
40
Niebuhr presents different typologies to resolve the problem of competition between Christ and culture in
his books, Such as Christ against culture, Christ of culture, Christ above culture, and Christ the transformer
of society.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

things consist.” (AKJV Col. 1:16). “Christ is the supreme example of universal human

goodness and the fulfilment of cultural aspiration.”41 The Word that became flesh dwelt

among us; the Son who does the work of the Father in the world of creation has entered

into a human culture that has never been without his command and action.42

Christ is above all culture means that the gospel of Christ dignifies culture as a

valid and acceptable vehicle for God’s revelation. “In this world, there are many cultures

originating from the geography of the area and variety of people’s lifestyles, but Christ’s

presence is in all parts of the world. Christ is present in all global cultures and

civilizations.”43 Culture, thus, never becomes a hindrance for doing His work. Apostle

Paul says, God our Savior, wants every individual person to be saved and to come to the

saving knowledge of Christ (I Tim. 2:3-4). The culture of globalization, however, may

create a change in attitudes and a different mental frame that may be the opposite of what

the gospel teaches about human life under God’s design.

Conclusion

The phenomenon of cultural globalization is undeniably problematic, and it needs

to be understood from various dimensions because the impact is not confined to one

particular aspect, but all are interconnected with the whole life of the church.

Globalization is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon. It has developed a cultural

globalization and brought a dramatic change in the traditional cultures and values. It has

widened the gap between the rich and poor and homogenized the cultures. Faith, practice,

41
Daniel Jenkins, “Culture”, Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology, 139.
42
H. Richard Niebuhr, Christ and Culture, 193.
43
Roy Chicago, Captive of Culture, 40.

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

and extreme nature of the churches, therefore, have changed due to its impact. The new

culture has distorted the life of the believers. Culture and church, however, have a

significant role to play in the life of the younger people. Otherwise, cultural changes and

church inaction remain the stumbling block for uniting the people together in this age.

Commonly, the church failed in many ways to accommodate the developing culture of

the young generation. As concluding remarks to the theological response to the cultural

globalization; the church should understand the vibrant correlation between the Gospel

and culture, which has been a fundamental issue in the life of the church over the past

years. The church has to re-examine its roles and responsibility in regard to the bringing

up of believers, particularly youth recognizing their position in relation to the changes

brought about by cultural globalization. Especially, Christian youth are sensitive to the

tension between their Christian life, families and the prevailing culture and tension is

often part of their own inner world which leads to uncertainty and anxiety. Good morals

and conducts, therefore, should be imparted to the believers through systematic teachings

in the church and through the lifestyle of Christians in a righteous way to the people of

God.

The Gospel has been going through widely varying cultural expressions and

interaction with people of other living faiths. Culture may be a challenge for the Gospel,

but Christ is above the culture and Christ can transform the culture. The church, thus,

needs to judge the culture, including the church’s appearance of life. The church must

judge the pattern of this world and do not conform to the pattern of this world

(Rom.12:2a). Culture is an integral part of Christian life and Christ’s teaching. Jesus

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New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

showed us a great model by loving, caring, helping the needy, so we need to follow the

principles of Jesus Christ.

Christians, thus, should discern everything under the counsel of the Holy Spirit

what is right and wrong of the culture. It may be difficult to accept many of its values and

manifested forms. Accommodating the global culture, however, is not a problem, but the

attitude towards it creates the struggle. But, the church needs to visualize the cultural

globalization and can take the good part of it. Because there are many diverse types of

cultural life, that Christian belief needs to relate to human life and is impossible to move

on without some kind of cultural frames and the church must remain above, not aloof of

it. Because, wherever the Gospel has reached, the transformation has taken place in the

life of humanity in any given cultural system. Culture is under God’s sovereign rule;

Christian must bear cultural work in submission to the Lord.

Bibliography

Books

Chicago, Roy. Captive of Culture. New Delhi: ISPCK, 2010.

Cornelius, Cyril S. & J.H. Anand, eds. We the people of Asia and Our Unity in Diversity. New
Delhi: ISPCK, 1999.

Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. New York: Harper & Row Publishers, 1975.

Prakasa Rao, V.V. & V. Nandini Rao. Marriage, the Family and Women in India. New Delhi:
Heritage Publications, 1985.

Singh, Yogendra. Modernization of Indian Tradition. New Delhi: Rawat Publications, 1996.

Varghese, George. Historical Roots of the Modern World. Changanacherry: Prathibha

Publications, 2001.

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Jibu Ninan
New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

Edited Books

Abraham, K.C. “Globalization and Liberative Solidarity”. Globalization and its Impact on
Human Rights. Edited by Mathews George Chunakara. Tiruvalla: Christava Sahitya
Samithy, 2000.

Alexander, Ellen. “Globalization, South Asian Youth Culture and the Church”. Gospel and
Globalization. Edited by Adrian Watkins, Leslie Nathaniel. New Delhi: ISPCK, 2006.

Ambirajan, S. “Globalization and Technology: Two Sides of the Same Coin”. Globalization,
Mass Media and Indian Cultural Values. Edited by Michael Traber. Delhi: ISPCK, 2003.

Carino, Feliciano V. “Globalization: Some Ethical and Theological Reflections and

Consideration”. Globalization and Its Impact on Human Rights. Edited by Mathews
George Chunakara. Tiruvalla: Christava Sahitya Samithy, 2000.

George, Joseph. “The Changing Pattern of the Family in India: Contemporary Explorations”. The
Changing Pattern of the Family of India. Edited by P.D. Devanandan & M.M. Thomas.
Bangalore: Christian Institute for Study of Religion and Society, 2007.

Jenkins, Daniel. “Culture”. Westminster Dictionary of Christian Theology. Edited by Alan

Richardson and John Bowden. Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1983.

Peter Dass, Rakesh. “Youth, Faith and the Church”. In The Asian Church in the New Millennium.
Edited by Raul Fernandez. Delhi: ISPCK, 2000.

Smith, Anthony D. “Towards a Global Culture?” Global Culture: Nationalism, Globalization and
Modernity. Edited by Mike Featherstone. New Delhi: Age Publications, 1995.

Vasanthakumar, Nirmala. “Christian Ministry in India Today-Challenges and Response”.

Church’s Ministry and Theological Education. Edited by Samson Prabhakar. Bangalore:
SATHRI, 2005.

Journals

Akbar, Shamsi. S.C Tiwari, Rakesh Kumar Tripathi, Ambrish Kumar, and Nisha Mani Pandey.
“Reasons for Living of Elderly to in Old Age Homes: An Exploratory Study”.
International Journal of Indian Psychology. 2/1(Oct-Dec. 2014): 59, 60.

Arackaparambil, Isaac. “Articulating a Social Catechesis in the Context of Globalization”. In

Kristu Jyoti 23/1(March 2007):68.

James, Emmanuel E. “The Issues and Challenges Facing Christians in India”. Aim 36/11
(November 2005):62.

Kumari, Sonam. Mithilesh Verma and Sangeeta Gupta. “Reason of Shifting People in Old Age
Home”. International Journal of Applied and Pure Science and Agriculture. 2/5 (May
2016): 177.

“Rethinking Christian Family”. The North India Church Review XXXV/10 (May 2005):4.

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Jibu Ninan
New India Bible Seminary
Kerala, India

Unpublished Materials

Prakash SJ, Cedric. “The Impact of Globalization on Christian Mission in India”, A Paper
presented for the Research Seminar on The Church in India in the Emerging Third
Millennium at National Biblical, Catechetical & Liturgical Centre, Bangalore (4-9
January 2005).

Webliology

Ahmad, Aqueil. “Globalization of Culture or (Cultural Globalization)”. 2018.

https://www.springerprofessional.de/globalization-of-culture-or-cultural-
globalization/7307482 (accessed October 17).

Yuen, Mary Mee-Yin. “Response of Christian Churches to Globalization”. October,

2005. https://www.academia.edu/2032405/Response_of_Christian_Churches_to_Globali
zation_ Hong_Kong_Kong_Christian_Churches_of_Asia _2005 (accessed October 16,
2018).

“Cultural Globalization”. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/cultural_globalization (accessed October

17, 2018).

“What is cultural globalization? Illustrate with examples in relation to Britain or other countries”.
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-cultural-globalization-illustrate-with-
317965 (accessed October 18, 2018).

“What are some advantages and disadvantages of cultural globalization?”

https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-some-advantages-disadvantages-cultural-
720484 (accessed October 17, 2018).

“Old Age Home Support”. http://www.friendscarefoundation.org/our-services/old-age-home-

support (accessed October 18, 2018).

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