Understanding how people engage with different cultures is essential for effective ministry in a world where cultures collide daily. As the gospel spreads across ethnic and social lines, some believers assimilate into new cultures, others navigate multiple cultures without losing their identity, and some refuse to adapt and take pride in that refusal. In order for the multiethnic church to thrive, the church needs to be discipled to be able to adapt to different cultures without losing their identity. When this does not happen, people either feel forced to throw away their ethnic identity or refuse to adapt and it rips the church apart. Let’s explore this further…
The C1, C2, and C3 framework helps us understand these dynamics:
- C1 believers assimilate fully into another culture, leaving behind their original identity.
- C2 believers can adapt to different cultures while maintaining their own.
- C3 believers resist cultural adaptation and struggle to engage cross-culturally.
Understanding these categories is not about labeling people but about ensuring that gospel ministry moves forward effectively. The apostle Paul modeled this approach when he said, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22, ESV). This post will explore the theological foundation of cultural engagement, practical implications, and how believers can grow toward being effective C2 Christians.
C1: The Assimilating Believer
A C1 believer leaves behind their cultural identity and fully adopts the dominant culture. This often happens when believers feel pressure to conform in order to be accepted.
Biblical Insights
One biblical example of cultural assimilation is Moses in Pharaoh’s court (Exodus 2:10). Raised as an Egyptian, Moses learned their ways, yet God later called him to reclaim his Hebrew identity to lead Israel. Another example is Daniel and his friends in Babylon (Daniel 1), who were given new names and trained in Babylonian culture. However, Daniel maintained his faith and identity while engaging in the new culture, so though he seemed like a C1, he really was a C2.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths: C1 believers can bridge cultural gaps and integrate into new spaces with ease. C1’s are often the first step for a church that wants to become multiethnic because they bring in a different color without adding a new culture to the mix.
Challenges: They risk losing their cultural distinctiveness, which can disconnect them from their home community and create identity struggles. They often don’t push the boundaries enough for change, and the dominant culture never adjusts. They can often become the model minority, that the majority culture will point to as an example of how everyone else should be.
Modern Example
Tim Keller writes, “The gospel is not just about individual conversion but also about cultural renewal.” A C1 believer may be deeply involved in cultural renewal but must ensure they do not erase their own heritage in the process.
Carlton Banks from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is one of the best examples of a C1 on TV. In the show, he grows up in a black family raised by a lawyer and professor who live in Bel-Air. He goes to a private school, and most of his friends are preppy white boys. In the show, he grows up in white culture and has assimilated into it completely, which isn’t a problem until his cousin Will moves in.
C2: The Adaptable Believer
A C2 believer is culturally flexible and can engage with different cultures while staying rooted in their own. This is the ideal posture for gospel work in diverse contexts. It is perfect because it allows someone to be themselves while also being comfortable around other cultures. The Bible does not require us to ditch all of our ethnicity when we become Christians, and the C2 understands this.
Biblical Insights
Paul provides the best example of a C2 believer:
“To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law… To those outside the law I became as one outside the law… I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:20-22).
Paul could preach in synagogues as a Jew and engage Gentiles in the marketplace of ideas (Acts 17:22-34). His ability to navigate cultures without losing his gospel identity made him one of the most effective missionaries in history.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths: C2 believers are excellent at building cross-cultural relationships without compromising biblical truth.
Challenges: The tension of belonging in multiple cultures can become confusing to people who see you operate in multiple cultures. People may assume you are being fake when, in reality, you are loving people well.
Modern Example
Pastor Eric Mason, author of Woke Church, emphasizes the importance of contextualizing the gospel: “We must engage culture in a way that is biblically faithful while making the gospel accessible.” A C2 believer does just that—engaging the world while remaining true to their spiritual and cultural roots.
Denzel Washington is one of the best actors in the world and you will notice that both white and black people love Denzel because he is a C2. He can adjust to white people and speak their language while not losing his cultural blackness that makes black people love him as well. The movies he makes are often beloved by people in many different cultures.
C3: The Culturally Inflexible Believer
A C3 believer struggles to engage with other cultures, often holding tightly to their own in a way that resists change. This posture can create barriers to ministry in multicultural environments. They simply refuse to be anything other than what they are, and they think people should adjust to who they are.
Biblical Insights
Peter before his vision in Acts 10 is a biblical example of cultural inflexibility. Initially, Peter resisted eating unclean foods, reflecting his reluctance to engage Gentiles. God rebuked him: “What God has made clean, do not call common” (Acts 10:15). Once Peter embraced cultural flexibility, he became a key figure in bringing the gospel to non-Jews.
Strengths & Challenges
Strengths: C3 believers often preserve cultural traditions and uphold strong community ties.
Challenges: They may struggle to connect with people outside their cultural group, limiting the gospel’s reach.
Modern Example
John Piper warns against cultural rigidity, saying, “The gospel is not bound to one culture. The goal is to make Christ known, not to make our culture supreme.” When believers prioritize cultural comfort over gospel mission, they risk alienating those different from them.
Will Smith in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air is a great example of a C3, especially in the early seasons of the show. He and his cousin Carlton often got into fights because Will refused to assimilate to the culture in California. He chose to hang out with Jazz instead of the preppy white boys, he turned the jacket of his school uniform inside out, and always dressed differently.
How to Move Toward Being a C2 Believer
Becoming a C2 believer takes intentionality. Here are three practical ways to grow in cultural adaptability while staying rooted in Christ:
1. Learn from Other Cultures
- Read books from diverse Christian authors (e.g., Léonce Crump, Soong-Chan Rah, and Christina Edmondson).
- Visit churches with different worship styles and theological traditions.
- Engage with people from different backgrounds in your city.
- Watch movies and listen to music from different cultures.
2. Practice Gospel-Centered Hospitality
- Invite people from different cultures into your home and listen to their stories.
- Participate in cross-cultural ministry efforts in your community.
- Support missions that equip indigenous leaders rather than imposing external cultural norms.
3. Filter Culture Through a Biblical Lens
- Ask the right questions: Does this cultural practice align with Scripture or does it distort the gospel?
- Distinguish between biblical truth and cultural preferences. Some traditions are beautiful; others might be barriers to Christ.
- Pray for wisdom and humility in cultural engagement.
Conclusion
Understanding the C1, C2, and C3 framework does not aim to divide but to equip believers to engage the world more effectively. Paul’s model of cultural flexibility (C2) gives us a roadmap: “I have become all things to all people, that by all means, I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). As urban theologians, our call is to contextualized the gospel without compromising the truth, ensuring that our cultural engagement serves the kingdom and not just our comfort.
