Twin City church of Christ Blog
“Dec 10, 2024 - Cretans and Culture”
Categories: 2024 Reading DevotionalsCretans and Culture
Reading: Titus 1:10-16
Paul has left Titus in Crete, in part to appoint elders to counteract the dangerous spiritual climate there. “For there are many who are insubordinate, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision party. They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach”(Titus 1:10-11). It sounds as though there is a Jewish contingent within the church (“the circumcision party”) that is focusing on “Jewish myths”(Titus 1:14) and “teaching for shameful gain”(Titus 1:11). Their attitude (“insubordinate”) and teaching are contagious and creating significant problems within the group.
In passing, Paul makes an intriguing comment about Cretan culture. “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’ This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith”(Titus 1:12-13). Paul is certainly exaggerating (not all Cretans are evil, lazy liars), yet he is making an important statement about the culture on Crete. Cultures have an impact on our faith. He is concerned that the Cretans will continue in old patterns of living and thinking rather than being “sound in the faith.” He then comments to Titus about the “empty talkers” : “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work”(Titus 1:15-16). There are certain types of people who manage to defile even good things. We know them not by their professions, but their actions. Titus will need this type of discernment as he deals with the insubordinate on Crete.
If culture has an impact on faith, honesty demands that we ask some tough questions. Paul has harsh words for Cretan culture. What would Paul say about American culture? What would he tell modern ministers to “rebuke sharply”? Is it possible that we are blind to the impact materialism, sexualization, consumerism, and selfishness are having on our faith? Are we as loyal to Jesus as we are to our culture?
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One Thing to Think About: How has my culture rubbed off on me?
One Thing to Pray For: Discernment to see what God approves and disapproves in my time
