기독교와 문화: 개혁주의 신앙윤리의 해석학 = Christianity and Culture: A Hermeneutics of Reformed Ethics

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

What Perspective Should Christians Have on Culture? Richard Niebuhr classifies the views on culture held by Christian figures throughout history into five types, arguing that individuals must decide, with personal conviction, which cultural perspective is most appropriate. However, Niebuhr’s argument aligns with the pluralistic worldview of postmodernism. In his view, the subject responsible for interpreting and practicing culture is the individual, and the authority to interpret culture belongs to human decisions. Therefore, no single, most valid hermeneutical perspective on culture exists. Additionally, various errors can be found in Niebuhr’s interpretation of Christian views on culture.
To correctly understand the relationship between Christianity and culture, this paper presents a hermeneutical perspective grounded in Reformed ethics. True culture is closely tied to morality, and human moral obligations and life must be founded upon Christ's revelation. From Tertullian to Calvinism, figures rooted in Reformed faith have sought to cut off the lifeline of idolatrous and immoral culture that denies human dignity and instead aimed to create a more true and wholesome social culture. Reformed ethics oppose secular culture, when it is not based on God’s revelation. This opposition arises because the conflict between Christianity and culture occurs within the realm of revelation-an area incompatible with non-Christian beliefs. Only a culture grounded in revelation can be considered the restoration and development of true culture.
Finally, this paper examines the application of Reformed ethics to the principles of marriage and the purpose of vocation. Humans, created in the image of God, are called to create and develop culture through marriage as moral beings. Furthermore, the moral obligations given within marriage and family extend through the calling and purpose of work. Individuals are called to contribute to the common good through various professions, statuses, and roles. In conclusion, Reformed ethics identify the purpose of culture in morality and discover the principles of morality in revelation, thus creating and advancing true Christian culture.