In Where Mortals Dwell, Craig Bartholomew speaks to a theology of place, noting that every part of our life is filled with distinct places. And every place on earth has its own culture, its own particular way about it. A way it works, looks, feels—a way people think about it, or even behave themselves in it. The places in which we live, work and play all have defining attributes about them.
Some of these places have a way that is appealing—say, a cozy fall evening at a cabin with a cup of apple cider. Others can be off-putting—perhaps a brightly lit office space with bare walls and uncomfortable chairs. But a place can have many different ways other than physical. Places can also be encouraging or disheartening, helpful or unhelpful, exciting or boring, and even good or evil. Every place has a way made up of distinguishing qualities. Let’s call this “way of a place” its culture. This multifaceted culture does not simply come to be the way it is on its own; rather, it is created. As God created a culture in Eden for Adam and Eve to enjoy, the cultures of our places in life are made by you and me. Our cultures are sometimes set by tradition, law, or other means, but we are always the ones forming them.
Since humans cannot depart from distinct places, they cannot depart from distinct cultures. Christians have the responsibility as stewards of God-given places to form cultures that honor Christ and serve others. From the beginning God has called man to cultivate the places in which he puts them (Genesis 2:15). But how might we create cultures that love God and neighbor? Let’s look at a positive model for this kind of culture-making: Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
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