The Birds of the Air

Abstract

The tension between Christ and culture is as old as Christianity itself. The current model in missions suggests that culture should be disturbed as little as possible in the process of planting the seed of the gospel. This model tacitly ignores indigenous evils, such as injustice, and fails to acknowledge the challenge that Christ issues to all cultures as Lord. In fact, even the most careful introduction of the gospel produces a backlash when elements of the cultural status quo realize what they are going to lose. This process is demonstrated by an investigation into the role that Christians have had in defending the marginalized and producing culture change in India.

With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade. (Mark 4:30–32)¹