Christ above culture. Niebuhr calls this the synthesist position, because, in contrast to the first position, it does not make an absolute distinction between human culture and divine law, but sees a continuity between them, while insisting on the superiority of the latter. Christ and Culture in Paradox. With some hesitation, Niebuhr calls this the dualist position, because it recognizes that we are fundamentally sinners, no matter how hard we try to obey God. Christ the transformer of culture.
Culture represents and transmits a fallen human nature.
Sin and evil must be recognized. But when we turn to God we do it in our culture, for we cannot escape it.