An evidence of postmodernism in our culture is the pervasive sense of guilt in the media and popular culture for America's success in the world. Having rejected the notion of truth and embraced the ideology of multicultural pluralism they label the influence of American wealth, power, and prestige as imperialism.
This postmodern guilt complex has found its way into the Church - a fact I discovered several years ago while taking a history of missions class in seminary. The reasoning was
Now there can be no doubt that there have been some instances where missionaries took as much care to import western culture as they did the gospel of Christ. Though I think those instances are less than imagined, we should be mindful of what is of the essence of the gospel and what is simply part of the cultural medium of communicating it.
What does need addressing is this notion of imperialism. Imperialism is perhaps the broadest term describing the negative impact of western missions. It implies sovereignty, superiority, an ambition to expand the boundaries of one's dominion, and possession of the means of such expansion. It may also imply a disregard for the cultures other than the imperial culture.
Given this understanding, Christians should realize that whatever we in the west are feeling guilty for, it should not be imperialism per se. That is because Christianity is inherently imperialistic. This is plain when one realizes that the infinite God has purposed to take over the world. He has in fact invaded and is presently expanding His kingdom, having no respect for the culture of this world which "is under the control of the evil one" (1John 5:19), and is hostile to Him.
Yet He is great in mercy offering the full rights of citizenship to those who bow the knee in repentance and faith. But He will destroy with invincible power those who say "we will not have this [One] be our king" (Luke 19:14). Having made His enemies His footstool (Psalm 110) it will be proclaimed, "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever," (Revelation 11:15). Here is imperialism on the grandest scale ever! If imperialism per se disqualifies us or causes us to be ashamed then we had better not claim to be Christians.
