Thinking Clearly about Culture Part 1 of 3

INTRO: What does it really mean to be "all things to all men so that you may win some with the gospel [1 Cor 9.22]"? How far can we take that idea before we find ourselves in violation of the third commandment and cheapen the message?
Today, in evangelicaland, we are being urged toward cultural relevance. We're instructed on how indispensable 'contextualization' is, and how culturally backward we have become - dinosaurs in danger of extinction if we don't kick it in high gear to catch up.
It seems to me that what is most lacking is clear thinking about culture in the first place, so here's some food for thought [from the perspective of a slightly skeptical 20-something curmudgeon].

THE BIG QUESTION: What is a culture anyway?
No one is denying that as a missionary in China, Hudson Taylor was right to dress and speak the part. But what we have in America is a bit different.
When we use the word 'culture' to describe the religion, food, language, art, social atmosphere, calendar, traditions, and ethnic history of the past few millennia in China ... and then use the same word to describe the way that 'Goths' hang out at the mall, something tells me it's time to clarify our definition.