When we hear about typical topics of Christianity in the modern world they vary from the third world. This is easy to imagine, first world : car trouble, third world: donkey is sick. The list is endless. A view on life changes also. In the first world there is greater emphasis quality of life. Making an impact. Third world there is a greater focus on death, and how to survive. Quality of life is still an issue, but death gets the front burner.
In order to know this environment better, and better serve them it is important to notice the differences. Here the fear of death drives many of the decisions people make. Where you go, what you do, who you talk too. This aspect of the culture is very strong, it affects not only the people of Colombia, but visitors as well. One of the main concerns for coming to Colombia is safety, we answer questions about it all the time. A new visitor's first fear in coming to Colombia is death. Death from sickness or violence are the things that occupy their minds. Part of this culture is death can be very close.
"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage." Hebrews 2:14,15
Thank the Lord He has released us and we are free to not fear death. We are liberated.
There are other subheadings under the theme of death, for instance, a greater emphasis on healing and miracles. I think this still relates to death because it reverses the affects of death that seems so close. This is countered in the 1st world environment with the strong emphasis and quick response of the medical professions. There generally isn't a need for a miracle. Rapid medicine isn't available in the environment of the 3rd world.
The modern world has death under control, as long as it is under man's supposed control they are happy. Perfect example is the recent Ebola scare, why was it a scare when the likelihood to die from it was lower than the flu? It was unknown and uncontrolled. Every day can be an Ebola scare to some in a third world culture, there is no control over death. The fear isn't overcome, after a while you just live with it always being possible.
In Bocachica, a couple of months back, a man was murdered by three young men over something stupid that happened one night. The normal course of events isn't to wait for justice from the government, that will never happen. The family that is wronged looks for justice in a revenge killing of the other family. It can take years for it to happen. After the initial murder, the other family tried to fight instantly. As of yet they haven't won their "blood for blood". The other family, this means even cousins, aunts, uncles, are afraid of being killed by the offended family. The fear is so great that for the first month many of the offending family wouldn't leave their houses. Even today there is still fear by many of them and they rarely go out. The whole family suffers not just the perpetrator. That is a radically different lifestyle then the first world.
A surprising thing happens in the church though, the songs about resurrection and victory are not only sung at Easter. Generally the only time the first world focus' on victory over death is at Easter. In a culture of fear of death for Christians the resurrection becomes much more significant. Christ is alive. It becomes celebrated more than once a year in the local church.
It is interesting that the response of the church has grown to appreciate the resurrection of Christ more. To fight the fear the focus on Christ's power is amplified, His victory over death.
It is a blessing to live in a place where death isn't the main problem. It is a blessing that the Bible can guide which ever culture we live in. It is a blessing to be able to know and experience another world being redeemed. A great promise is that one day death will be gone for good. Revelation 21:3-5
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And he who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new.'"
As a Christian working in this culture in three years we have not succumbed to the fear. Thank the Lord. In the meantime we continue to work towards "making all things new".
One example of a song from Church (it sounds better with a Caribbean beat):
A Spanish version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=153AwMoKb98
English Version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9EMTTLfQTw
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