The Cultural Mandate: Embracing Divine and Cultural Responsibilities

August 3, 2023

The Cultural Mandate: Embracing Divine and Cultural Responsibilities

Lauren Cooley

August 3, 2023
4 Minute Read

Rooted in the belief that God has bestowed a divine mandate upon His followers, Christians are called to embrace both our private spiritual lives as well as our public roles in shaping and influencing the culture around us.

This concept of living a public faith that shapes our culture is often referred to as the Cultural Mandate and finds its biblical foundation in Genesis 1:28, where God blesses Adam and Eve, commanding them to “be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it.”

By recognizing this assignment as a divine mandate originating from sacred scriptures and divine revelation, we must further recognize there are profound implications for how Christians are to engage with society. Accepting this mandate means we realize that this instruction is a directive that comes directly from a divine source and carries a sense of godly authority. As a divine mandate, this direction is binding and non-negotiable. To align with God’s will, plan, and purpose for humanity, we must follow this instruction in our actions, attitudes, and service.

By recognizing this assignment as a divine mandate originating from sacred scriptures and divine revelation, we must further recognize there are profound implications for how Christians are to engage with society.

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The Cultural Mandate reflects God’s intention for humans to steward and cultivate the earth, recognizing the interconnectedness of spirituality and earthly existence. All that we do in this life is an opportunity for worship: our daily routines, the mundane actions of life, our work, and our interactions with friends and family. In the context of evangelical Christianity, this mandate encompasses both spiritual responsibilities and engagement with the world.

Christians recognize the inherent social nature of humanity, a concept affirmed by the teachings of Jesus Christ. In Matthew 5:13, Jesus refers to his followers as the “salt of the earth,” emphasizing their role as preservers of righteousness and agents of positive influence in society. This divine mandate compels Christians to engage with the culture, promoting moral values, seeking justice, and spreading the message of the Gospel.

To fulfill the Cultural Mandate, evangelical Christians must actively engage with the culture around them. This includes participating in various spheres such as the arts, sciences, politics, economics, and more. By bringing faith into these areas, we have the opportunity to shape and transform culture through the lens of our spiritual convictions.

To fulfill the Cultural Mandate, evangelical Christians must actively engage with the culture around them.

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While embracing the public nature of the cultural mandate, we must not abandon our private spirituality. Instead, we must balance our spiritual commitment with our cultural influence. We should remain steadfast in upholding biblical principles and promoting righteousness, yet at the same time, extend grace, love, and understanding to those with different beliefs, fostering meaningful dialogue and building bridges rather than walls.

Through the Cultural Mandate, Christians possess the potential to be powerful agents of positive change. By living out our faith with integrity, demonstrating love and compassion, advocating for justice, and embracing our responsibility to steward the earth, we can effectively impact the world around us for the better.

Of course, this will not be easy; engaging with the culture comes with its fair share of challenges and criticisms. We certainly will face opposition, skepticism, or accusations of intolerance, however by embodying the teachings of Christ and standing firmly on the foundation of love, we can respond to such challenges with grace and humility, never retreating from the truth, but presenting that truth in the most loving way with care and concern.

The Cultural Mandate presents a profound calling for Christians—a divine responsibility to actively engage with the world while upholding personal spiritual convictions. It is an invitation to live out our faith in a way that transforms culture, promotes righteousness, and reflects the love of Christ. By embracing this mandate as a divine calling, Christians can be a positive force for change, demonstrating the power of faith, love, and unwavering commitment to this divine calling within the diverse tapestry of society.

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Lauren Cooley

Lauren Cooley is the Executive Director of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church’s Institute for Faith & Culture. She is also the Board Chair for the Center for Christian Statesmanship and serves on the Board of Directors for Coral Ridge Ministries. Lauren has appeared on TV and radio numerous times, including Fox News, Fox Nation, Newsmax, and more. Her work has been published in many outlets including USA Today, the Miami Herald, the Tampa Bay Times, Townhall, the Christian Post, and the Washington Examiner where she previously served as Editor. Lauren is a graduate of Furman University (B.A. ’14) and is finishing her Master in Liberal Studies at the University of Miami.

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