The Gospel Enriches and Transforms Culture

“The Gospel quite often demands a conversion of attitudes and an amendment of customs where it establishes itself: Cultures must also be purified and restored in Christ.” 

Faith and Inculturation, International Theological Commission, 1988 

When the Gospel enters a culture, it does not erase its colors; it transfigures them. A Church that welcomes every people becomes more radiant with the light of Christ.

Enculturation, Acculturation, and Inculturation

Enculturation, acculturation, and inculturation are distinct concepts describing how humans learn, absorb, and adapt to cultural norms, whether through native upbringing, cross-cultural contact, or the integration of beliefs into a specific local environment. 

Enculturation

The lifelong process where an individual learns the traditional content, values, and behaviors of their own group or family. Learning about one’s own native culture begins at infancy and continues through life. The process is largely subconscious, and essential for fitting into one’s native society.

Acculturation

The active process of cultural change and psychological adaptation occurs when two distinct cultures come into continuous first-hand contact, leading groups or individuals to adopt traits from one another. It’s the external adopting or blending traits from a second culture. It occurs later in life upon exposure to a new cultural group. It is conscious, intentional, and interactive, often bidirectional between two groups.

Inculturation

“The inculturation of the Gospel is the incarnation of the Gospel in native cultures and, at the same time the introduction of those cultures into the life of the Church.” 

Pope St. John PauI II, Redemptoris Missio, 52

In Catholic theology, inculturation is the process by which the Gospel message takes root in a specific culture, expressing Christ’s teachings through local customs, languages, and art while transforming any elements of that culture that conflict with Christian values.

Inculturation understood as a theological concept is two-fold: 

• The Gospel penetrates culture: it transforms its elements in the light of Christ
• Culture enriches the universal Church: it brings new expressions, symbols and spiritualities

Inculturation does not relativize the Gospel message. On the contrary, the Gospel enlightens, purifies, and elevates every culture where it takes root. 

For more information: Faith and Inculturation, International Theological Commission, 1988