I have heard my brother Mike use this expression a few times on the phone and on his blog. This impression of being culturally captive has been consuming my thoughts for a while. I have been asking myself, "What does it mean to be culturally captive?" So, as I have been having conversations with various people over this last couple of weeks, I have been listening for the answer to this question. It is amazing how quickly you hear the answer in everyday conversations.
What does it mean to be Culturally Captive?
- I want something for nothing.
- I set the expectation of what and how I will be served.
- I like to: look at, experience, purchase and own things I do not need.
- I look to these things and experiences to bring me happiness.
- I want to personally gain first.
- I want to pursue what I want to pursue and you do not have the right to tell me any different.
- I seek self-worth in temporary gratification.
- I seek entertainment in order to fill my life.
- As a consumer I have the right to criticize the insignificant details of what I am consuming.
- If you are providing me a service that is unexpected and free, I will take the attitude that it is owed to me. And if I do not get this free thing then I am upset and feel gypped even though I didn’t expect it and it wasn’t going to cost me something.
- I LIVE A RIGHTS BASED LIFE.
So naturally I ask myself the following questions. “Am I culturally captive?” and “Is it bad to be culturally captive?” So here are my answers to these two questions:
Am I Culturally Captive? Yes. Unfortunately I have to say that I am to a degree. I have listened to and participated in some of the most meaningless conversations about the above points. My hope is that I will allow Christ to transform my heart into a humble, self-sacrificing mindset and allow Jesus’ spirit to captivate me and not my culture that lies to me and tells me that the above is important.
Is it bad to be Culturally Captive? I believe that Christians should understand the culture that they are living in as a means to reaching through it and into the hearts of others. As a Christ follower I believe that it is an injurious fixation to be captivated by anything other than the pursuit of Jesus discipleship. Our culture is in many cases a tool of the enemy to dissuade our focus off of the life that Jesus calls us to live.
What about you? What are your answers to the questions above?
