Culture is how human beings make sense of their life. Culture making is a God-given gift (Genesis 2). There are some aspects of culture and culture behaviors that are good because the people who make culture are made in the image of God. People cannot help being made in the image of God! Even when they deny their uniqueness because they were made in the image of God, it does not matter. What does that mean? It means that even the worse of "pagans" can make, do, and even suggest some wonderful things which should be supported. However, due to "the fall" or to what we call "sin," people are also crooked -- we all are. Therefore, culture making by people can be harmful, destructive, as they/we try "to make sense of life" in the wrong ways; ESPECIALLY MAKING SENSE OF LIFE WITHOUT A TRUE CONCEPT OF WHO GOD IS.

 So the other week I suggested that we "Affirm" the very best of culture. In other words, we don't just gripe about the things we hate in culture or focus "only" on those things in culture that it make it an "us" vs. "them." Instead, we actually go out of our way to affirm what we and all people agree are good and are due to the uniqueness of human beings.

 However, we also need to "Revise" some things in culture that could go bad or could be made good. A perfect example is technology. Technology has changed our lives, our ethics, and how we spend our time. Technology is a culture making tool and experience. Technology can be good or it can go bad depending on how we use it. Therefore, we should "revise" technology and make it a slave to the honor of God and a servant to the love of other human beings. Technology will always be something we need to keep an eye on in our life and not let it become our master and leader. Jesus is our leader, our Lord, and we must use technology within a fear of Jesus. 

Finally, I suggested that we "Reject" those things in culture which are trying to make sense of our life, but in the wrong way and in a way that is going to take away from our Maker and Creator, placing us in the desperate bondage and despair of our world. For example, there is currently a ton of teaching on spiritual principles which are absolutely contrary to anything Jesus said about Himself or truth. There is a spirituality without God. It is tempting sometimes to give in or go "Experience it" or "listen to it on tv" to try to gain some principles for living "even though I don't believe in that sort of thing." I would suggest that any teacher or principle which is contrary to the Word of God and what the Holy Spirit would teach is to be absolutely rejected, turned off, ignored, and not given "the time of day." 1 John 4 says "test the spirits to see if they are from God." There is a lot more to teaching then just "principles" there are powers in teachings and if the teaching is not according to the Spirit of God the power in teaching and teachers can be totally destructive! False teaching cannot be "revised" it must be "rejected."

 Now the question is: "what are some passages [i.e. Bible verses] that help me make good culture decisions as suggested above?"

 I read a book by a pastor whose name is Mark Driscoll and he has some help. Specifically he put a chart up in his book The Radical Reformission, pg 104. See if this chart does not help with what to affirm, revise, and reject within your culture.

 Biblical Principles for Cultural Decision-Making

• Is it beneficial to me personally to the gospel generally (1 Cor. 6:12)?
• Will I lose self-control and be mastered by what I participate in (1 Cor. 6:12)?
• Will I be doing this in the presence of someone who I know will fall into sin as a result (1 Cor. 8:9-10)?
• Is it a violation of the laws of my city, state, or nation (Rom. 13:1-7)?
• If I fail to do this, will I lose opportunities to share the gospel (1 Cor. 10:27-30)?
• Can I do this with a clear conscience (Acts 24:16)?
• Will this cause me to sin by feeding sinful desires (Rom. 13:13-14)?
• Am I convinced that this is what God desires for me to do (Rom. 13:15)?
• Does my participation proceed from my faith in Jesus Christ (Rom. 14:23)?
• Am I doing this to help other people, or am I just being selfish (1 Cor. 10:24)?
• Can I do this in a way that glorifies God (1 Cor. 10:31-33)?
• Am I following the example of Jesus Christ to save sinners (1 Cor. 10:33-11:1)?