Proposition #3 from Plowing in Hope 3. Culture is the concretization -- the rendering in some permanent form -- of mankinds culturative acts, commonly manifested in man-made objects, structures, texts, etc. Such artifacts stand apart from but (ideally) work in harmony with Gods natural creation or nature. While Hegeman understands the secondary definition of culture as the traditions, ethos, zeitgeist, or spirit of the age, he rightly asserts the primary definition of culture as having reference to concrete actions. On pp39-40 Hegeman writes: Man, because he is made in the image and likeness of God, is endowed with many extraordinary attributes which enable him to rise above the recurring, rhythmical processes of nature to impose his ideas and designs upon the original, untouched landscape. Undoubtedly, mans unique historical consciousness sets him apart from the animals and contributes to our ability to make culture which stands apart from nature. Men and women have the capacity to perceive and reflect on what has gone on in the past, to choose to imitate what has been done before, or deliberately strike out into new creative territory. We have the ability to think in terms of the future, to mull over various potential alternatives, and to devise and execute remarkably complex projects that profoundly impact our environment. Because of our historical consciousness, we have the potential to pass on our tastes and insights to others (usually through the family) and to build upon and embellish what has already been achieved. Thus we may speak of cultural progress, growth, and maturation. ...Ideally, mankinds culturative transformation of the earth should work in harmony with Gods original creation order.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 22:32:57 +0000
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