Biblische Motive in unserer Kultur?

Bibel- und kulturtheologische Anmerkungen zu Migration und „Leitkultur“

Abstract

The article shows that there is neither a national nor a Christian "Leitkultur" but only a European community of values. A special feature of Christianity in the history of religion is that it has left a space in which a secular culture can develop. There was a fruitful interaction between this secular culture and religion, such as the abolition of slavery, or the humanization of religion through historical-critical research and ethics in the churches. Correspondingly, the basic motifs of biblical thought have secular parallel motifs, as shown by eight selected motives, among others: by the faith in creation and the awareness of contingency, by repentance and a cultural climate that gives a second chance. Together, religious groups and secular culture must recognize human rights as the basis of their coexistence. Therefore, the article contains a human rights confession for Christian communities – also for liturgical use.