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06 cultural anthropology
1. Cultural Anthropology
for the Missionary
Dr. Robert Patton
Missionary to Suriname,
South America
2. What is culture?
Culture - the pattern and way of
life by which people order their
lives
We use contextual clues
For the first 6 years, we have intensive
training from parents and others
We go further for a life-long enculturation
3. What is culture?
Culture - the pattern and way of life by which
people order their lives
Later - peer groups become important, and we
tend to congregate with those of similar values,
which reinforce our cultural values
Each individual is different in accepting or rejecting
portions of the lifestyle
We overlearn these until they are automatic and
assumed to be correct
Living with other cultural expressions
can bring stress
4. Why study anthropology?
It attempts to deal with what people actually
do and think
.Their total behavior
.Their world view
.It deals mostly with nonwestern people
.The culture concept - how people meet their
needs within the restrictions imposed by
environment, etc. None intrinsically superior
5. Why study anthropology
It takes a holistic integrative approach to
people
It uses a cross-cultural perspective
.Helps understand ourselves
.Helps understand others in their culture
.Understand the Bible in the patterns of other
times & places
.Helps understand how best to
communicate the message of the
gospel
6. Anthropology focuses on
communication
Quality of relationships
Perception, felt needs, acceptance &
appreciation
.Anthropology distinguishes between form and
meanings - what does the form communicate?
.Anthropology communicates the world
view - assumptions, values and
associations & allegiances
.Anthropology works with people in the field
where they live - not in isolation
.Anthropology studies how culture changes
7. We see only dimly now…
All perceptions are affected by
.Culture
.Personality
.Experience
.Sin
.Only God sees perfectly
8. Our perception of reality
We always filter reality
We learn incompletely
Experience modifies our mental maps
We may change when confronted with
another model of reality
There may be a paradigm shift to a
new perspective.
However, we may keep a good portion
of the old view and compartmentalize
and shift back and forth
9. A Perspective on Culture -
Kraft
Relationship precedes custom
We need customs, but not someone else’s
customs,
We need rituals, but not someone else’s
rituals.
Culture is like a river - we see the top, but
most is deep beneath. The world-view is
below
10. A Perspective on Culture -
Kraft
His view - culture is structure.
People work within the structure, either to
strengthen it or to change it. It is the force of
habit that sustains the cultural approach
Culture is a strategy for survival belonging to
and operated by a society. It consists of
concepts and behavior that are patterned and
learned; underlying perspectives, and
resultant products.
Culture is agreed upon patterns, and
is learned
11. A Perspective on Culture -
Kraft
The power of the culture is that we
have a propensity to live by habit.
Different cultures represent the creativity of
mankind.
We need to honor cultures. We need
culture to survive
12. A Perspective on Culture -
Kraft
Cultures can be used for good or ill.
And remember that cultures are
infected with our sin-nature .
It is people-choices if culture will be
used as instruments for God or
satan .
13. Culture is
Complex
Tightly integrated around the
world view
A total design for living
Adaptive to circumstances
14. Culture is
Learned as if it were perfect:
ethnocentrism.
We have a tendency to want to
impose our culture on others
Makes sense to those in the
system
15. Culture
Based on group agreement
A legacy from the past, and links us
with the past
A way to regulate your life
There is explicit, conscious
culture, and implicit, unconscious
culture.
There is an ideal culture and
actual culture
16. Culture Shock
The rules of living change
This is not just for missionaries –
anyone living in a new culture
Many government and business
organizations have ways to help
cope
17. Culture shock: - our cultural
maps no longer work
Inability to communicate - you must
practice it and make mistakes to learn it
Routine things take much longer
Changes in relationships - with other
people, our identity, etc.
Great differences in concept of time -
what is appropriate varies in each culture
Emotional and evaluative disorientation
18. Culture shock…
Stress - often accummulative –
50% of those above 150 points were sick,
and 80% of those above 300 were sick.
Language learning is 50 points
Many missionaries are over 400.
Physical illness is common
Psychological and spiritual depression is
also common
19. The cycle of culture shock
Tourist stage - outside visitor stage
Disenchantment - we are now cultural
insiders - many resign
Resolution - we begin to learn new
cultural ways, though we often think
that our own culture is superior.
Now it is key to develop positive
attitudes of appreciation and
acceptance - but if we remain aloof,
we will probably never come into the
culture.
20. The cycle of culture shock
We want to become bonded to
the culture.
Reverse culture shock - most
affects those best adjusted to the
new culture.
We need to approach this as
learning another culture, and
learn from the natives
21. Getting over culture shock
Get into the culture early before
forming routines that shut them out
Be a learner, and they will help
those in need
22. Getting over culture shock
Adjustments depend on the
differences between our original
culture and the new one
Recognize our anxieties, identify
them, and learn solutions
Build trust - have an interest in and
acceptance of the people to whom
we minister
23. Things to help culture shock
Set realistic goals - you cannot
do as much in a foreign culture
Take time out - avoid burnout
We are not indispensable
24. Things to help culture shock
Attitudes are KEY
.Flexibility
.Humor - especially at our
missteps
.Forgiveness
.Thankfulness
Share burdens with others
25. The Incarnational Missionary
Cross-cultural misunderstandings - a
cognitive block
Come into the culture as learners -
this often opens doors to share the
gospel
Anything that does not make sense
means that we don’t understand how it
fits into the culture
Eventually we can become bi-cultural -
transmitting from one culture to
another
26. Ethnocentrism
Ethnocentrism - affective response -
my culture is civilized, others are
not
The solution is empathy
Be learners
See others as individuals
Remember that our reaction may be
defensive in nature
27. We need to respect all cultures,
but not cultural relativity
Biblical norms are above all cultures
We need to study the values of our
own culture and the culture we are to
reach, and then compare them with
Biblical norms.
Our own ethnocentricity must be
shattered to accomplish this
28. We need to respect all cultures,
but not cultural relativity
. Neither rejecting the new culture,
and becoming isolated, nor “ going
native” is the answer.
We can never fully enter into the life
of the new culture, because we do
not enter with a blank slate
29. Integrate into the culture
As insiders of the culture, we are
competitors for leadership and
resources, but not as outsiders.
We can bridge the gap with our
culture, and protect our people from
misuse
30. Integrate into the culture
Compartmentalization - in each
culture, do as that culture. But a lot
of tension, and it may seem that we
are hypocritical
Better - integration, but accepting
the things in both cultures that
correspond to Biblical truth
31. Where we can, identify with
Language
Clothing & food - not too difficult
Transportation - more difficult for
USA people
Housing - especially loss of
privacy
32. Where we can, identify with
Roles - depends upon what we are
assigned
Attitudes - do we truly love the
people? I Cor. 13:3
.Treat with dignity & respect
.Give power and position of leadership
.Trust them with material goods
33. Cultural assumptions of
western missionaries
We live in a real world that exists
outside us, rational, orderly &
under natural laws
Therefore science is important
Biblical basis - God created a
universe that is outside of Him
and dependent on Him
34. Cultural assumptions of
western missionaries
Eastern religion - the outside
world is imaginary, and people
just projections in the mind of
God
Then appeals to history and
science are difficult
Truth comes from meditation - we
are part of one universal spirit
35. Western thought
There was a real shift between
biblical dualism - God vs. all
creation including spirits, humans,
enz. - to neo-Platonic world -
dualism between spirit and matter ,
soul & body.
Thus there was a split between the
natural observable world and the
supernatural world
36. Western thought
Originally science was a servant of
religion, but later became totally
separated.
We tend to separate spiritual
ministries and social gospel
Missionaries can actually spread
secularism, when the culture accepts
western science and technology but
rejects their religious teachings
37. West vs. animism
Humans & non-humans - actually
comes from our Christian
perspective.
But many cultures look at all nature
as alive, with animals and inanimate
objects having their spirits.
Example Sranantongo language is
without a passive. You cannot say:
I was cut by the knife. You must
say: The knife cut me…
38. West vs. animism
Americans look to exploit nature in
their domination of it.
The Hebrews, in contrast, looked at
nature as good, and that humans
should care for it.
Some folks believe that they are
basically overwhelmed by nature
39. Western values
Values - usually materialistic –
what one possesses
physical health –
rather than intellectual or spiritual
development.
.Americans judge other cultures by
their technological development &
material comforts.
They emphasize private ownership -
not group ownership . This can create
problems in considering missionaries
greedy
40. Peasant society values
different
Peasant societies often believe that
basic resources like land, wealth,
health, friendships, power, status
and security are limited and of short
supply
There is a suspicion of those
competing for them, and persons
are encouraged to keep the status
quo.
41. West vs. East
USA loves analysis, fixing things.
Many other places seem like things
are uncontrolled and not the blame of
one person, making planning difficult
USA loves either/or - no in between.
Also a sharp distinction between work
and play which is incomprehensible to
many
42. Western values
Planning - we can plan in a rational
universe. We have the power of
choice, and the responsibility to
choose and make a difference.
We tend to be pragmatic when it
comes to solutions.
Other countries feel that it is more
important to be a good person and
build good relationships.
43. Western values
We tend to treat the world as mechanistic
- both material goods and humans - as
things to be organized and used.
Completing tasks is more important than
building relationships
Doing and completing more important -
laziness is a major “sin” in this view
Other countries - being and becoming
more important – Mary vs. Martha
44. Western values
You quantify things, and bigger = better.
Others value balance and beauty
Assembly line rather than the artist or
craftsman doing the whole thing
Big emphasis on the individual and
individual rights & freedom
Japan – “face” - dignity, harmony, respect
very important
45. Western values
Personal identity is found through
achievement to find individual worth =
material goods
Self-reliance - a fear to be dependent on
others.
In Latin America and the Orient, the
emphasis is on the group, not the “loner”
Southeast Asia - the relationship is
between the patron and the client. The
patron helps in all ways, and the client is
totally loyal
46. Western values
Contractural groups - the rights of the
individual are above the group, and they
may leave the group.
We tend to have superficial relationships,
may leave for a better job. We have
clubs as a basic organization.
This is strange where the major tie is
kinship and you are born into the group
47. Western values
Americans put emphasis on private
property to be used and disposed of as
wished
Humanitarianism is strong - but often
institutionalized and impersonal
Equality = equal opportunities . We favor
democracy where the majority also
respects the rights of the minority.
But some cultures believe that humans are
not equal, but hierarchal , and that they are
based on “karma” and must atone for their
sins.
48. Western values
Informality - this can be OK with kindness,
courtesy and unostentatious living,
Be very careful not to belittle someone with a
higher rank in his own culture. Until you
know, be respectful and keep a bit of reserve
Competition and self-reliance - later compete
for fame, status, money, etc and there is
little room for “losers” We must “play fair”
49. Western values
Americans tend to be direct and confronta-
tional
Japanese prefer to make decisions privately
and use meetings for public announcements.
Some will use a third party
Americans will cooperate for common goals,
even with others with whom we may
disagree. Some interpret this as
opportunism.
50. Western values in time
Time is highly valued and
organized. Time is linear.
Others focus on the events on
hand. Time may be pendular or
cyclical
.Americans are future oriented.
51. Western values
.
Traditional African thought focuses
on the past. There is the mythical
past, the recent past (remembering
recent ancestors), and the present
and recent future.
Chinese think especially of the
present, and try to integrate all the
current happenings into the
situation.
52. Western values vs. others
Americans focus on time, which
disappears, rather than space where
things happened, but many cultures
do the opposite. “We cannot go
back, but this is where...”
53. Western values
Youth focus as active and
productive.
Many cultures place an emphasis
on the elderly, and have no
concept of retirement
54. Western communication
We emphasize visual rather than oral,
touch, smell, etc. Literacy abounds. I
see...
Others emphasize sayings, proverbs, etc -
with interaction between the teller and the
receiver...
We emphasize abstract knowledge instead
of stories, situations, etc. We need to
emphasize the personal and stories
We tend to admire knowledge more than
wisdom
55. One of our tasks
Missionaries need total
immersion to become
enculturated again - like a child
Phil. 2:5, I Peter 2:21
We must become like those we
will reach – but as Christians
We must deny ourselves: Mt.
16:24
Paul wanted to become all things
for all men I Cor. 9:21-23
56. Hall - Silent language - 10
areas of control in all cultures
Subsistence - work
Bisexuality - differences in sexes
Learning - modeling, observation,
instruction
Play - humor, recreation
Defense - health, beliefs,
conflicts
57. Hall - Silent language - 10
areas of control in all cultures
Language - just a conceptual model
of what we experience
Time - attitudes toward time,
schedule
Space & territory
Exploitation - control and use of
resources
Association - family, kin,
58. Tension in time…
Time-oriented societies –
West
Lots of clocks, everybody wears
watch
Anniversaries, historical records
important
Scheduling toward a goal, achieving
the maximum within set limits
Time = money. Rewards for efficient
use of time
59. Time concept in
Event-oriented societies
Concerned for the details of the event,
regardless of time involved
Exhaustive consideration of the problem
until resolved
Let come what may - not tied to specific
schedule
60. Time concept in
Event-oriented societies
Stress completing the event as a
reward in itself
Emphasis on present experience
instead of past or future
Participation and completion are the
main goals
61. Time…
Jesus
Time more an opportunity
Event oriented
.Americans
Time-oriented
Monochronism - do one thing at a time
They want variety of things to do
We must be willing to adapt to the culture
around us
62. Tensions in judgment
American culture wants things
systematized - comes from Western
thought processes - Aristotelian
Dichotomy - bring into right/wrong
Judgments black & white. Specific criteria
are applied uniformly
Security comes from knowing that one is
right, and fits into a particular role in
society
Systematic evaluation of information
and experiences - sorting things into
clear patterns
63. Tensions in judgment –
eastern or third world values
Holistic - whole is greater than the
parts
Judgments are open-ended, and the
whole person and all circumstances
are taken into consideration
Security comes from multiple
interactions within the whole of society
- one is insecure if confined to
particular roles or categories
Details stand out as independent
points complete in themselves
64. Dual brain theory
Left hemisphere Right hemisphere
.Verbal .Signal-pictorial
.Rational .Emotional
.Analytic .Holistic
.Digital .Analogical
65. Dual hemispheres
The healthy individual will use
both, but one often dominates.
Left - verbal
Right – pictorial
66. Jesus teaching
Jesus tended to use pictorial
language and reasoning mostly -
which also fit well with the Hebrew
culture
.Analogies
.Parables
.Jesus was receptor-oriented and
personal
67. Jesus teaching
.Focusing on issues of the day -
healing on the sabbath, etc.
He used very pictorial
illustrations in Mt. 23 - clean the
outside of the plate, strain out a
gnat and swallow a camel, etc.
Personal case studies –
The gospels are pictorial and
holistic with vivid images
68. Judgment methods
Remember that people evaluate in
ways that are different from our
evaluation. We must be careful
Dichotomists look at holistic as wis-
wasi, lacking principle and
inconsistent
69. Judgment methods
Holistic - look at dichotomists as
rigid and legalistic and unfeeling
.Mt. 7:1; I Cor. 4:3; Rom. 2:16; I
Cor. 4:4-5
We have a tendency to remake
others in our own image. But both
parts of the brain are necessary I
Cor. 12:12-13; Ps. 133
70. How to handle a crisis:
Crisis Orientation
1. Anticipates crisis
2. Emphasizes planning
3. Quick solution to avoid ambiguity
4. Repeatedly follows preplanned
authoritative decisions
5. Seeks expert advice
6. Pessimistic
71. How to handle a crisis:
Non-crisis Orientation
1. Downplays possibility of crisis
2. Focuses on actual experience
3. Avoid taking action; delay decisions
4. Makes ad hoc decision on spur of
the moment from multiple options
5. Shuns expert advice
6. Optimistic
72. What is biblical?
We must cooperate together and
try to understand each other’s
working methods.
Jesus was often open-ended, non-
crisis in orientation
We must have an unwavering
declarative commitment to the
gospel, and an open, questioning,
noncrisis-oriented lifestyle and
ministry: II Tim. 4:2.
73. What is biblical?
Remember to be like Christ: Phil.
2:5-7; and Paul I Cor. 9:19-23.
Be a servant & consider them
better than yourself
74. Tension over goals: Task
orientation vs. people orientation
Task Orientation
Focus - task and principles
Satisfaction in achievement of goals
Seeks friends with similar goals
Accepts loneliness and social
deprivation to achieve personal
goals
75. Tension over goals Task
orientation vs. people orientation
People Orientation
Focus - people and relationships
Satisfaction in interaction
Seeks friends who are group
oriented
Despises loneliness . Gives up
personal achievement to have
group interaction
76. Goal orientation
Task orientation can be so busy that
tasks are simply one achievement
followed by another, and relationships
are seen only in connection with
completing work.
Social relationships may simply be an
extension of work.
They often prefer to work alone, and
social relationships are boring.
77. Goal orientation
People orientation often use all social
occasions to build extensive networks of
relationships.
They need the acceptance and stimulation
of the group, and expend a lot of energy
in maintaining those relationships.
They may give up personal achievement
to achieve group goals.
Quality of relationships is more important
than achieving task goals.
78. Goal orientation
Task orientation - good for preachers,
teachers, Bible translation, administra-
tive personnel.
Give them the chance to schedule
their own activities independently.
They tend to be frustrated with fellow
workers and “frivolous conversation”.
They tend to get upset by nationals
who spend long times talking, etc.
79. Goal orientation
Person-oriented
Our school system is not geared to bless
this type of individual
In some cultures, a task oriented
missionary may not be the best for the
work
Western culture has a dichotomy between
work and socialization . We need to
remember Phil. 2:3
80. People oriented goals
Cross-cultural missionaries are to be
servants and minister God’s love to
others
We must share lives with others: I Thess.
2:7-8
Jesus gave priority to persons and their
needs and not to his own tasks
Our attitude must be humble: Col. 3:12;
Ephesians 5:1-2
81. Tensions about self-worth
Status focus - ascribed
Personal identity is obtained by
position, birth, and rank
Amount of respect is permanently
fixed; those with high status honored
despite personal failings
Play your role; be willing to sacrifice
to achieve higher rank
People associate with social equals
82. Tensions about self-worth
Achievement focus - attained
Personal identity is obtained by
one’s achievements
Amount of respect determined by
one’s achievements or failures
83. Tensions about self-worth
The Jewish rabbis were upset that
Jesus would associate with lower
ranks: Lk. 15:1 ff
There is a tendency for achievers to
look down on those who achieve
less, resulting in envy and
depression
84. Tensions about self-worth
Jesus rejects that of status: Luke
14:7-11; 12-14; 26 ff. We must be
willing to be a servant to others: Mt.
20:25-27; Phil. 2:3 ff.
The achievers must be careful not to
despise others - like Martha
complained about Mary: Lk. 10:41-
42
85. Tensions about self-worth
True self-worth: Rom. 3:10-12. Yet
we tend to judge others.
Repentance does not make us
worthy, but it opens the door so
that we can get worth from God:
Rom. 3:21-24.
86. Tensions about self-worth
Our attempts to find self-worth
separate us from each other, and
result in subjugation of the weak.
But the gift of God’s worthiness
creates a servant attitude in us.
.We must respect the values
assigned by the culture but not be
dominated by it: Phil. 2:5-8
87. Tensions concerning
vulnerability
Conceal vulnerability
Protection of self-image at all cost;
avoidance of error and failure
Emphasis on quality of performance
Reluctance to go beyond recognized
performance or enter the unknown
88. Tensions concerning
vulnerability
Conceal vulnerability
Denial of culpability;
Withdrawal from activity to hide
weakness or shortcoming
Refusal to see alternate views or
accept criticism
Vagueness re personal life
89. Tensions concerning
vulnerability
Expose vulnerability
Relative unconcern over error and
failure
Emphasis on completion of the event
Willing to push the limits and go into
the unknown
90. Tensions concerning
vulnerability
Expose vulnerability
Ready admission of culpability,
weakness and shortcomings
Openness to alternative views
and criticism
Willing to talk freely about
personal life
91. Vulnerability
Lk. 14:27 ff shows that we must take
account of our weaknesses. Be humble,
which eventually brings us to honor
It is not good to cover up and not admit
mistakes. See how Paul admits that his
weakness leads to dependence on
Christ’s strength 2 Cor. 12:7-10.
We should be willing to receive help
from others.
92. Vulnerability
We should not become self-
righteous about others;
If we focus on self-weakness we
can become casual about sin, or
critical of others
Seek ways to show respect - like
using intermediaries.
93. Vulnerability
Remember that God has chosen
the weak in this world to do His
work: I Cor. 1:27.
Remember too that we will be
weak: I Cor. 4:10 Again
remember Phil. 2:3-4
94. Our task as cross-cultural
missionaries
As missionaries, we must become
incarnate in the culture where we
are. We must become all things to
all men - accepting and working
in their culture
We must realize that there are
problems in our own culture, and
good points in the adopted
culture.
95. Our task as cross-cultural
missionaries
We need to accept the fact that
God made us as we are, and He
will shape us to use us
To become incarnate in another
culture does not require that we
sin - Jesus was fully incarnate as
a Jew, and yet without sin.
96. Our task as cross-cultural
missionaries
We should have a heightened
sense of morality when we see
the blind spots of our own
culture.
We must have complete
submission to and dependence
on God Jn. 5:19
97. Part II – Cultural Orientation
Culture definition - a way of
thinking, feeling, believing;
It is a group’s knowledge stored
for future use... includes social,
economic, linguistic, etc.
98. Part II – Cultural Orientation
.Culture is learned, not inherited
.Culture is shared within a society
.Culture is an integrated whole -
one part affects others...
.Culture constantly changes
99. Culture can be broken down
into
Technology
Social
Beliefs, ideology
100. Layers of culture
Ideology, cosmology
Values
Institutions - education, marriage,
etc.
Then artifacts, technology, etc...
101. Culture is vital
One’s culture is more important
than race, nationality, and gender
in how you think, feel & act
When you are acculturated in a
second culture, you are bicultural
This becomes increasingly
difficult the older you are
102. There is also a supracultural
effect - outside the culture
Source from God - by His spirit,
representatives, etc
Freedom of spirit
Light, the Word of God, the gifts of the
Spirit, etc.
Source not from God - satan &
demonic
.Spiritual darkness
.Bondage
103. Danger from our cultural
blinders (or blunders)
We as missionaries are usually
unaware of our cultural associations
and assume that this is the natural
(only natural) way to act, feel, etc.
We must distinguish between our own
cultural biases which we assume are
right, and those that are scripturally
determined
This is best acquired by both training
and experience. We need to have the
attitude of a learner...
104. Basic hermaneutic principles
The Bible has supracultural
relevance
.Categorical - cannot be changed
without losing validity
.Principle - those characteristics of
the new life in Christ
.It is possible to bridge the
cultural gap
105. Basis hermaneutic patterns -
three things about meaning
Public meaning - within the latitudes set for
the author’s culture, language,etc
User meaning - we attempt to find the
meaning, but not the intention of the author
Remember that meanings are in flux
and change... Biblical repentance
meant a complete reorientation of life
and thought - not just remorse for
misdeeds.
106. Christ and culture
When Adam fell, one different source came
into play, and it was possible to spoil culture
All culture need transformation in
motivation if not in content
God ordained culture but did not order
culture
The gospel evaluates every culture in
terms of its own norms .
107. Work in the culture
Seek to understand the culture from
the perspective of the people
Encourage a minimal number of
critical changes rather than numerous
peripheral changes
Seek the opinions of leaders and seek
their help
Look for groups to work together -
people movements to Christ
108. Work honestly with other
beliefs
Missionaries must be prepared to deal
with other religions not only at their
areas of weakness, inconsistencies,
and inadequacies, but also their
strengths.
To deal honestly and sympathetically
with the best case that any form of
false belief can make, and then show
the desperate need that still remains
to be met by the true God and His
redeeming son - this is the more
excellent way.
109. Presenting the gospel in
another culture
Many terms must be redefined totally
We must be careful to give a complete
message. We must give enough OT
and NT background to put the text into
context so that it can be understood.
Also it is very effective to answer
questions that are posed by other
religions but not answered.
Look for redemptive analogies, eye-
openers, and points of contact
110. Messages are decoded
through 7 grids:
Worldview - rarely evaluated - we must
encode messages with the other
worldview in mind
Cognitive processes , or the way of
thinking - for example, does divine
truth come through subjective
experience or objective revelation?
Linguistic forms - and remember that
the language reflects what the culture
sees as important
111. Messages are decoded
through 7 grids:
Behavioral patterns - usually learned
informally as how one “ought to act”.
Most actions are OK for the Christian,
but some we have to stop...
Social structures - the ways of
interacting.
Media influence - the way of
channeling the message.
Motivational resources - how people
make decisions.
112. In presenting the gospel
Be very careful - some foreign
audiences may be enculturated to
give approval outwardly while
inwardly rejecting the message
Decision making - there are two
aspects of grace - unmerited
provision and grateful reception ...
113. In presenting the gospel
Make certain that they accept Christ,
not the missionary, or a better life,
etc.
It is the Holy Spirit’s job ultimately
The work of the missionary is to
communicate Christ so effectively that
the person has the opportunity to
accept or reject Christ, and that he
has relied on the Holy Spirit - II Cor.
2:15-17
114. When we present the gospel
Some reformulation will occur in decoding. Our
job is to minimize this
Syncretism - this is a particular danger in
a polytheistic society - add to the list of
gods.
We must be careful to communicate the
uniqueness of Christ
115. When we present the gospel
Sometimes there is a protracted
decision - it may be rejection, but
not necessarily. Jesus told them to
count the cost. There is a difference
from procrastination
There may be symbiotic resignation
- it is not for me, but those under me
can decide for themselves
116. Our worldview is important!
Some problems with western
worldview as seen by third world
believers
Too rationalistic and preoccupied
with intellectual concerns of faith &
reason
Molded by western philosophies
Conformed to the secularist
worldview of the enlightenment
Captivated by Western individualism
117. A perspective on Worldview
Worldview = culturally structured
assumptions, values and
commitments underlying a
people’s perception of reality,
and response to their
perceptions.
118. Worldview - Culturally
structured….
Assumptions
Not reasoned, but assumed without proof
Provides a lens through which reality is
perceived and interpreted
Differences arising from different world
views are most difficult to deal with. This
makes conversion difficult, because
Christianity works at the world view
depth.
People following their world-view
guidelines, function cognitively,
affectively, and evaluatively
119. Functions of a world view
Structuring deep underlying personal
characteristics - the use of our wills,
emotions, logic & reason - we use
linear reasoning in the west, but
others use more concrete situational
reasoning...
Patterning the assignment of meaning
Evaluating - judgments about good &
immoral, esthetics, economics, human
character
120. Functions of a worldview
How people respond to assigned
meanings
.Explaining
.Pledging allegiance
.Relating - both the ‘in-group” and to
the outsider
We pattern how to regulate
things, get psychological
reinforcement, and have
consistency in life.
121. Universals of any worldview
There is a system of classification
The nature of persons & a group are
defined
Causality - what forces are at work in the
universe, and their results
Time (many are more event-oriented)
Space and what to do in it
Relationships with the components of the
worldview & culture
122. Worldview and cultural
change
When changes occur at a deep
level, there is often disequilibrium
in the culture, and unforseen
changes!
123. Monocultural worldview
Ethnocentric - my way is the way
.Absolutist
.My perception of reality is true
reality
.My view is superior
124. Monocultural worldview
No respect for others ways
Evaluates other’s customs from their
own culturally learned perspective and
world view
Eclectic monocultural position - take
the best from other cultures, but still
one culture
Reactionary monocultural position -
they reject their own culture, running
to another culture
125. Cross-cultural perspective
Believing that there is a God and a
REALITY beyond our reality
There is right and wrong in every
culture
No culture provides all the answers to
life’s problems
All cultures are deeply affected by sin
Sociocultural adequacy - respect the
culture - different from absolute
relativism
126. Cross-cultural perspective
All cultures are somewhat unbalanced
west - very technological
others - better in interpersonal
relationships
There are many equally effective
approaches to solving most of life’s
problems
All languages can communicate in all
human communication
127. Evaluating cultures
You must evaluate the culture
understanding it from the inside
The prophet is the insider, not an
outsider
Outsiders must show love and
patience
128. Evaluating cultures
There is a crucial difference
between rights and privileges of a
cultural insider and an outsider.
Whatever judgments are made
are made concerning parts or
aspects of the culture, and not
the culture as a whole
129. Evaluating cultures
The one who evaluates cultural
behavior should do so using
trans-cultural principles
Human well-being - effective
strategies for dealing with the
challenges of life
God’s intent - is also for the well-
being of His creatures
130. Evaluating cultures
Only God is absolute - He does not
require everyone to have absolutely the
same manner of life.
Relativity in the endowment & oppor-
tunities of people - talents, etc. For to
whoever much is given, of him shall much
be required. Lk. 12:48
Relativity in terms of revelation Rom. 2:14
Relativity in cultural patterns
131. God, Culture, and Human
Beings
God is above culture but works
through all cultures.
He, angels and demons are
supra-cultural;
Angels & demons are
nonabsolute but supracultural .
132. God, Culture, and Human
Beings
Human beings are now sinful and
limited - and interact with cultural
structures
God communicates to humans via
human communicational vehicles
- speaking, dreams, visions, etc.
133. God, Culture, and Human
Beings
God ordinarily uses cultural structures in
normal ways.
However, He provides supernatural
trustworthy leading including inspiration
and revelation
None of the Scriptures are written from a
western cultural perspective, and it is
helpful for westerners to probe the intent
of those biblical people and writers
134. Worldview of naturalism
It may be atheism, secularism,
scientism, humanism, egotheism,
or communism
The supernatural is dismissed as
irrelevant
Nature - can be viewed as either
hospitable, or not.
135. Naturalism
Human nature variably seen
.Some as random collection of atoms
.Some as inherently good
.Some as restricted by the few
.Communists say that the proletariat will
arise out of the party, but so far the party
has remained boss
Time - they seem to have endless
time. But lots of time does nothing as
far as meaning is concerned...
136. Naturalism
Approach - often the missionary is at
a handicap as lacking in philosophy
and science
.Show that many naturalistic systems are
in conflict with each other
.Be careful not to go beyond your
expertise
.Definitions are important - they usually
do not understand theological terms
137. Naturalism
Where will he go to find “true truth”
.Science is too subscribed - borders
are materialistic
.Philosophy - difficult
.Religion - then which religion is true
Be sympathetic with the problems
they face
138. Tribal worldview - polytheistic
animism
.Man participates in maintaining the
system - not dominating it
.The universe is moral and personal
because nature is personal
.Probably 40% of the world have this
view, though nominally they may be
part of a religious system
141. Tribal worldview - polytheistic
animism
It is anthropomorphic although
concerned with gods, spirits, etc.
Boundaries between spirits, animals
and man are shifting and the
distinction between self and
surroundings are blurred so that you
are one with nature
142. Here is a typical worldview of
African animism
God - the supreme being, originator
& sustainer of man
Spirits - involved in the destiny of
man
Man
Plants and animals - part of
environment, living
Other non-living things
143. Animism
Concept of time - just past and
present. No concept of future,
but going back into the past again
Ancestor worship - really
fellowship with the departed - but
also fear that if not placated, they
will retaliate
144. Animism - Summary:
Supernatural deities and spirit
beings of all kinds, good & evil,
capricious but can be cajoled
especially by special persons
with secret knowledge
Nature is animate, and has its
own power - and has influence on
man’s physical, moral, and
spiritual environment
145. Animism - Summary:
Mankind is in nature, and not above
it, and we are somehow dependent
on those who stay behind to care
for us in the spirit world
Time - past is more important than
future
146. Approach to Animistic
Cultures
Missionary source - people want
to know who they are, what they
know, and what they do.
Often they prefer a power
encounter to a truth encounter.
We need to be secure in our
resources over satanic power
147. Approach to Animistic
Cultures
Content
Define who the true living God is!
Selection - God is creator, He
has been patient, He supplies the
good
Work with narrative style
Show how God has power over all
evil spirits
148. Approach to Animistic
Cultures
Application - put it directly
against the false portions of the
worldview - Example of Paul at
Athens
Style - Christ and Him crucified -
not sophism and exhibitionism,
but with Spirit and power
149. Hindu-Buddhist world view:
.Basis ideas:
Karma - binds humanity to the
universe
Maya - experienced kosmos is illusion
Absolute being lies behind the world of
experience - atman (the self or soul),
the Brahman (absolute objectively
understood), or nirvana (highest good,
peace, void, bliss
Technique for gaining liberation =
152. Folk Hinduism makes even
human offerings
Children were thrown into the Ganges
River as an offering
Other locations, babies were killed
previously in Suriname
Sometimes children have been
dedicated to the gods
153. Folk Hinduism makes even
human offerings
Children were thrown into the Ganges
River as an offering
Other locations, babies were killed
previously in Suriname
Sometimes children have been
dedicated to the gods
155. Hindu-Buddhist world view:
Vedanta - the Upanishads are shruti -
what is heard, and smriti - that which
is remembered - gradually developed
from polytheism to monism.
There is a sort of trinity - Braham,
Vishnu, and Shiva - all expressions
of impersonal Brahman
156. Hindu-Buddhist world view:
All reality comes from Brahman and
returns to him.
Atman in the person is really equal
to Brahman. The Indian greeting
salutes the divine within each
person
157. Hindu-Buddhist world view:
How to come out of karma and be liberated
(moksha) from rebirths? Works, wisdom, and
devotion.
Only Brahman exists - the illusion results in
thousands of gods.
Ramanuja taught that there is some sort of
personality – release through Vishnu, who
manifests himself through avatars like
Krishna
158. Buddhism has a lot of
variations
Replaced brahman with nirvana,
atman with anatta
Hinayana - strict austerity and
literal interpretation of Gautama
Mahayana - more freedom
162. Buddhism has a lot of
variations
Karma is still present, and
reincarnation
Nothing has permanent existence
Buddha looked at himself as the
greatest divine teacher
Later there are other bohisattvas
(savior beings)
163. Buddhism has a lot of
variations
Behind everything is an
impersonal monism, the world of
experience is ephemeral, and the
person’s gaze must be turned
internal
Everything comes out of Brahman
- gods, nature, etc. There is no
real personality as such
164. Buddhism has a lot of
variations
Time is cyclical - an endless
series of existences.
It is almost impossible to live out
this type of belief except in
monasteries & retreats.
165. Reaching Buddhists
Missionary source - we must not only
be people of goodwill, but also
integrity and credibility.
They expect you will know your faith
and there’s.
They will also expect to see some
marks of austerity in our lifestyle
Message - be careful to define
carefully. Don’t build on a monist
foundation.
166. Reaching Hindus & Buddhists
The creation must be distinguished from
sheer materialism of the west and the
illusion of the east
Man must be created in the image of God -
not souls in bodies, but whole persons,
The basic problem of mankind is rebellion
against God, not ignorance
167. Warnings…
Be careful – Hindus & Buddhists will
accept Christ as another atavar or
bodhisattva. He is a real person in
history
You may encounter a problem with the law
of non-contradiction, but they must begin
to see that true truth is non-contradictory ,
which is narrow, not broad
.Remember - don’t offer religion. Offer
Christ. Keep a spiritual emphasis
168. Chinese thought
Tao - force in the universe, broken into
Yang & Yin - positive and negative,
etc. Everything is one or the other.
The universe swarms with spirits -
good (shen) and evil (kwei) Therefore
don’t disturb them - feng-shui.
So also a man can be full of yang and
do good for the entire community .
169. Chinese thought
.Lao-tzu - emphasized the tao.
There are 3 different major things,
the way to heaven, the way of the
gods, and the way of man.
The main thing is to embrace tao
and not impose your will on
anything. That is to be eternal
170. Chinese thought
Confucius emphasized family
relationships. His main thoughts
were written by disciples in the
Analects.
He believed that we should
concentrate on the practical and not
the supernatural, but that everything
would work out to develop the right
sort of person.
.
171. Analects of Confucius
Often very condensed sayings,
conversations,
His disciples later codified and
organized his thoughts
Rites were very important
People need to know their place and
role in society -
172. Confucianism and the roles of
people
While juniors are considered in Confucianism
to owe strong duties of reverence and service
to their seniors, seniors also have duties of
benevolence and concern toward juniors. This
theme consistently manifests itself in many
aspects of East Asian culture even to this day,
with extensive filial duties on the part of
children toward parents and elders, and great
concern of parents toward their children.
173. Ruler and those ruled
If the ruler lacks rén, Confucianism holds, it
will be difficult if not impossible for his
subjects to behave humanely. Rén is the
basis of Confucian political theory: it
presupposes an autocratic ruler, exhorted to
refrain from acting inhumanely towards his
subjects. An inhumane ruler runs the risk of
losing the "Mandate of Heaven", the right to
rule.
175. Chinese thought
Each person needs to find Tao for
himself - right action, that keeps
things in harmony. Persons are
intrinsically good.
Lao-tse said that the good is in
nature, but Confucius said to stay in
family relationships.
177. Addition of Buddhism to
Chinese thought
A multitude of gods are added.
Shang Ti (God far removed) is
there, but Ti’en (heaven) and Tao
are more important
Nature is Tao working through yang
& yin.
Harmonizing these is important –
resulting in a good earth
178. Addition of Buddhism to
Chinese thought
People are good, and can be kept
good by education and Tao.
Keep in your station.
Filial worship is important - the spirit
outlives the body
Time - look back, where the
ancestral spirits join the Golden Age
of China. We should still plan foe
today and the future
179. Differences between India &
China
India - negates the world.
China affirms the world. People and
nature have the center stage.
India venerates the saint; China the
sage - wise and practical, the sage
within and the king without (the spirit
fit for a king)
China is pantheistic, but discovering a
tao which is the Supreme Spirit and
the Tao or inner law of the universe.
180. This amulet contains the
powder of a chosen baby who
died (amulet enlarged greatly)
181. Communistic changes to
Chinese thought
Replace history with the future
Replace tao with dialectic
materialism
Change yin and yang into thesis
and antithesis
Affirm humanity and the world
182. Communicating Christ in
China
Missionary source- integrity and
goodwill important, but creditability is
vital.
They feel that we offer much in science
but not in religion
Represent Christ, not western culture
You must really knows Christ and the
Bible
.You must appear knowledgeable in
religious matters
183. Thoughts to approach
Chinese
The Bible is a holy book of history.
We had a golden age in Eden, but it
stopped when man was in rebellion
against God.
Christ is the one who said: A am the
tao, and He is that perfect superior
man
Filial piety can be helpful but also
enslaving
184. Monotheistic - Jewish & Muslim
Worldview - an infinite-personal God
created the universe out of nothing
Cause and effect are open-ended.
Universe does not exist apart from
God
185. Monotheistic - Jewish & Muslim
The Jew believes that God made
man in His own image, so man can
work in the cause-and-effect
universe
God has spoken in the space-time
situation - the Bible and Christ
The universe we have now is not
normal, and there is a possible
solution on God’s side
186. Mohammad rebelled against
the polytheism around him
Allah is one, eternal, mighty,
forgiving, compassionate, all-
knowing but indifferently assigns
people to heaven or hell
.Allah of the Qu’ran is basically
unknowable
The Muslim thinks of the trinity of
the Christian as God the Father,
Mary the mother, and Jesus
188. Mohammad rebelled against
the polytheism around him
Muslims think that Jesus was talking about
Muhammed himself when he talked about
the coming comforter. This is the Holy Spirit
who will live in you.
Angels exist and countless jinn exist
between man and angels - good & evil, who
must do Allah’s bidding
There is inconsistency - man must abandon
idols, but he is weak and helpless
There is fatalism, but no loving God
190. Witness to Muslims
We must appear as persons of
goodwill.
The problem is that we don’t meet as
strangers or friends –
We must win with Christ-like qualities
.Definitions
.Sin - so radical it takes the death of
Christ
.God is holy and self-giving
.Trinity clarified
191. Witness to Muslims
We should work like Matthew, showing the
history and miracles of Christ. It was only
then that the disciples saw that He was the
Christ
Remember that 4 of the 6 muslim prophets
= Adam, Noah, Abraham and Moses
Organization and application of muslims is
often like Christian missionaries
Debate can sometimes be of help, but
never lose your temper or show arrogance
192. Syncretic religions
Hinduism often will incorporate other
religions within itself
Roman Catholicism - may leave God
far away, and worship the Virgin and
the Saints (ancestral spirits...)
Japan - many are both Shintoist
(national life) and Buddhist
(intellectual pursuits, etc)
Chinese may have 3 different forms of
religion simultaneously -
Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism
193. How to present Christ
There is a difference in both worldview
but also in thinking processes between
the west and east as to which is
primary:
West - conceptual, relational, psychical
China - concrete relational, psychical,
conceptual
Indian, - psychical, concrete relational,
conceptual
194. How we think
We have a tendency to
intellectualize the Bible into our
western organized thought
Northrup - east thinks more
aesthetically, west theoretically
and then checks a priori to see if it
corresponds to reality.
195. Paul’s thinking
Paul shows that it is not that man
could not have authored the Bible,
but that he would not have done so,
because the gospel is foolishness to
man- but it is the wisdom of God and
the power of God.
196. Paul’s thinking
But the Greek shows that the force
of arguments rested on logical
validity and historical fact.
You must have solid thinking and
persuasion.
We need to do our homework to
communicate, but also depend on
the Holy Spirit
197. Intuitional thinking
Two forms of knowledge - higher
= Brahman.
Reason does not invade with
logic, theories, doctrine,
explanations, or sensory
experience
Lower - math, science, theology,
philosophy - all have relative
truth
198. Intuitional thinking
Mystical experience
Unity with the universe
Deeper understanding of his own
personality
Yoga, psychoanalysis, drugs
Personal god - coming one with him,
but he is really impersonal: Krishna is
Ultimate reality and Arjuna bows in
devotion
199. Mystical or intuitional thinking
Stress on the universal
Preference for negative
Minimizing individuals
Emphasis on unity of all things
Static quality of universality
Subjective idea of personality
200. Mystical or intuitional thinking
Supremacy of universal self over
individual self
Subservience to universals
Alienation to the objective world
Introspective stance
Metaphysical qualities
Tolerance
201. Sometimes we are not totally
logical-rational too
Eastern philosophy thinks that know-
ledge is transient and illusionary
Christians should be able to under-
stand
.Sometimes we jump logical gaps
.Revelation sometimes comes by inner
illumination
Knowledge comes from Jesus Christ
through the Holy Spirit
202. Remember also here
We are now surrounded by this type
of thinking, acceptable in the USA
We see this particularly in the
emerging church and also post-
modernism
We see pseudo-Christianity with
facts about God without making it
personal through repentance and
faith in Christ
203. What we must do
Avoid over-intellectualizing.
Christ is the way
.Avoid oversimplifying with just
few premises and conclusions
Communicate the mystery of knowing
God and the awe of approaching Him
204. We must take seriously the
biblical doctrine of illumination
The Father reveals truth: Mt. 16:
[16] And Simon Peter answered
and said, Thou art the Christ, the
Son of the living God.[17] And
Jesus answered and said unto
him, Blessed art thou, Simon
Barjona: for flesh and blood hath
not revealed it unto thee, but my
Father which is in heaven.
205. We must take seriously the
biblical doctrine of illumination
The Son reveals the Father
Matthew 11:[27] All things are
delivered unto me of my Father:
and no man knoweth the Son, but
the Father; neither knoweth any
man the Father, save the Son,
and he to whomsoever the Son
will reveal him.
206. We must take seriously the
biblical doctrine of illumination
The Spirit leads us into all truth &
The Spirit bears witness with our
spirit: Jn. 16:[13] Howbeit when he,
the Spirit of truth, is come, he will
guide you into all truth: for he shall
not speak of himself; but whatsoever
he shall hear, that shall he speak:
and he will shew you things to come.
207. Approaching the eastern mind
Christian truth is different from
the Hindu mystic’s idea of the
human mind,
The mind is God’s creation, not
His emanation.
208. Approaching the eastern mind
The human mind is at enmity with God
Colossians 1:[21] And you, that were
sometime alienated and enemies in
your mind by wicked works, yet now
hath he reconciled[22] In the body of
his flesh through death, to present you
holy and unblameable and
unreproveable in his sight.
209. Come to Jesus personally
Matthew 11:28. Come on to be,
all ye that labor and are heavy
laden, and I will give you rest.
29. Take my yoke upon you, and
learn of me, for I am meek and
lowly in heart: and ye shall find
rest for your souls. 30. For my
yoke is easy; and my burden is
light.
210. Approaching the eastern mind
God works in real history and
through history
The truth of God is understood in
the OT and NT in their historic and
grammatical senses.
God’s word is more reliable than the
self-deception of intuition.
We approach the Bible like any
other book, but aided by the Holy
Spirit
211. Concrete relational thinking
Use myths, aphorisms, fables,
analogies, tribal lore
Chinese & Japanese - uses the
concrete to occasion intuitional
apprehension.
The rational or theoretical is all
but omitted
212. Approaches to concrete
relational thinking
Remember the historical context - and
it is accurate history, as opposed to
the mythological or visionary system of
most religions. Tell the events.
The bible uses truth communicated
through concrete illustrations,
parables, etc. Think of Nathan and
David.
Remember that the Word became flesh
213. Approaches to concrete
relational thinking
Be able to distinguish and use types,
metaphors, similes, symbols, and
emblems.
But be able to communicate them as
well
.Baptism and communion were
concrete and simple
214. Approaches to concrete
relational thinking
Be careful of idolatry
Places of worship must be clean
and orderly - they do not have to
be ornate
Drama can be used as well as
illustrations and pictures
215. Conclusion:
All people use all 3 methods of reality
.Indian - to go back to Eden and direct
communion with God
.Chinese - finding God in nature - but
confusing the two
.Western - believing too much in the
rational mind
.Each group has a priority order - we need
to look at how to present things
appropriately
216. Now let’s look at other aspects
to help us evangelize better
#1 – Language
The power of language is present in
all humans - separating them from
animals.
Adam showed his superiority in
naming all the animals
Any language can be used to convey
God’s truth
217. Now let’s look at other aspects
to help us evangelize better
Less than 50% of people can write,
but all have fully developed language
to speak
You need a complete set of linguistic
habits
Every language has a complete
system which correlates with their
understand-ing of the world
218. Language
Language word meanings are
assigned by the culture, and are
both individual and social in
character
Language is the means by which
we acquire a world-view
219. Language
You can also evaluate a
connotive meaning (emotional
response), depending on
.Evaluation - good or bad
.Activity - active or passive
.Potency - strong or weak
220. Language shapes our thinking
It is a fault to say that logic goes
before language
Linguistic patterns themselves
determine how a man perceives his
world and thinks about it
Linguistic patterns vary widely and
result in different worldviews
Language shapes our ideas, and not
merely expresses them
221. Language shapes our thinking
However, others point out that
this is superficial, and that there
is a basic universal logic
But the ultimate factor in recep-
tivity is whether the Holy Spirit
has been allowed to prepare the
people.
222. Our behavior communicates
What we say and how we say it are
both important. What we do is also
important.
All behavior is potentially
communicative
.Meaning is more difficult to pin down.
Also there is informational content and
relational content - and about 35%
verbal, and 65% is non-verbal
223. Our behavior communicates
.Missionary
.Behave according to God’s
standards of scripture
.Accommodate to the behavioral
patterns that are acceptable in the
respondent culture
.Distinguish between supracultural
and cultural norms
224. How we behave…
People must see Christ in our lives -
as they did in the early church
Our response to strange behavioral
patterns tends to be automatic and
reflexive, centering on the emotions
and the subconscious
225. How we behave…
Physical appearance - try not to be
offensive in style, hair, etc...
Body gestures are important - some
are instinctive, but many are learned
How we position things is important -
priorities, interaction, etc.
Americans love “their space” which
is usually about 3 or more feet
around us. This is very different in
many other countries
226. Behavior
Be careful not to insist too much
on privacy.
True missionary evangelism is
more than delivering the facts of
Christ - it is living out the
implications of these in everyday
life.
227. When there are things which
the missionary cannot do
Avoid the situations which bring
them up
Seek culturally approved
alternatives
Explain beforehand why you
cannot participate
228. Ways of perceiving time
Time seen differently
West - time is linear, going and gone,
time to accomplish things. Symbol
hourglass
East - time is cyclical - symbol wheel
Other ideas of time:
.Chinese - great value on past
.African - long past, short future
.Youth in USA - nownow
229. Time concepts…
Remember that the way time is divided is
cultural - you may not agree, but you must
understand it
Religious time may not be business time
People are more important than
schedules
The quality of the event is more important
than the starting and closing time
230. Social structure
Western society puts great emphasis
on individual and individual freedom
we tend to ignore the rights of
society
Linguistically “I” is used in every
situation
Often introduce with first name
231. Social structure
Japanese - promote the ends of
the larger group
Shows in how they are introduced
232. Social structure
Remember - we are each made in
the image of God, but God said
that it is not good for man to be
left alone. Society is important
Status - what position one holds;
Role - how to act that out
233. What is the status of the
missionary?
Paul at Athens was a foreigner
.We are a foreigner - Sir, we
would see Jesus...
.We are a guest
.We are experts in religion
234. What contacts help us?
USA may put a reformed drug addict or
so and get an audience
.Our society is unusally open
.The church is not built on that
person, but is already in existence
There are exceptions, like Ko Tha Byu,
converted criminal of Judson working
among the Karens = but he ministered
to his people, not those who despised
him
235. What contacts help us?
Prestige influence - are formal
leaders
Personal influence - opinion leaders
-
If either are gifted in speaking, it is
very helpful
236. Working through families is a
very effective way to go
Societies vary as to the importance of
the family - extremely important to the
Chinese, to not so important in the
USA
Kindred - directly related through both
parents, has a direct obligation.
Lineage - ancestor-focused - usually
paternal or maternal, not both - many
countries
237. Non-kinship groups
Some were households where the
leader had lots of say - so whole
families were baptized,
Some are associations of common
interest - economic, recreational, etc.
Vertical communications are often
difficult - particularly going from lower
class to higher class.
238. Non-kinship groups
Higher class to lower has prestige,
but may not have much impact in
terms of persuasiveness, which is
most effective within the same class
In Japan, using the local associations
can be very effective
239. Cities versus peasant and
tribal societies
Rural - more homogenous,
traditional in values and lifestyle,
resistant to change, often
negative to outsiders.
Not a big range of leadership,
and kinship predominates
.Decisions are often group decisions
Time taken before decisions made
240. Cities versus peasant and
tribal societies
Effective communication based on
personal relationships
.Initial approach to those who can pass
on information in the family grouping
.Time allowed for internal diffusion of
new ideas
The challenge of change must be
addressed to those capable of
initiating the change.
241. Totalitarianism
Its nature is to control direction
and content of communication
The Roman Catholic church is
totalitarian by design and so is
communism
242. Totalitarianism Some things to
remember
.God wants all people to have the
opportunity to hear the gospel
and be saved
.Government authority is ordained
by God and to be obeyed, even if
they do not recognize God
But we are to obey God more
than man
243. Totalitarianism
Primary responsibility to communicate
Christ is to the Christians in that society
Mission agencies have a responsibility to
encourage and strengthen the witness of
Christians, and avoid activities which
would make it more difficult for them to
function
Pray for the day that totalitarian societies
will be open to the Word
244. Thoughts about
communication
The more closely communication
follows the prevailing social structure,
the more effective it will be
People communicate more & more
effectively with people of their own
class
Interpersonal horizontal
communication is most effective in
voluntary changes in attitude and
behavior
245. Thoughts about
communication
Prestigious communication is from
the upper to lower classes
Prestigious vertical communication
is best suited to effecting social
control
246. Thoughts about
communication
The farther apart on the social
scale, the more difficulty in
communicating
The farther apart on the social
system (city, rural, tribal) the more
difficulty communicating
The more face-to-face, the more
difficult for an outsider to
communicate
247. Thoughts about
communication
Try to communicate to responsible
members of the society to spread
the word
The more heterogeneous the
society, the more varied the
communication must be
248. Thoughts about
communication
In face-to-face societies, try to work
with someone in a leadership
position who can make decisions for
the group.
In face-to-face societies, it is more
likely that communications will go
by family lines, and be group
decisions
In face-to-face societies, you must
be willing to spend more time
249. Use of media to communicate
All media are extensions of the person -
physical or psychic
.Each of the media has its own impact,
vibrancy, and social consequences.
We need to be careful of the media’s
impact on our lives and values
Simple media are often very effective -
especially where people think concretely
Remember our authority is from God,
Jesus Christ, and His Spirit-inspired
Word
250. Media & communication
We need to be careful of the effects,
associations, and effectiveness of the
message and media.
Books have more permanent effects
TV may be more persuasive
The use - for example is TV entertain-
ment or propaganda?
Mass media has relatively little effect
on long held opinions, etc. Better face
to face or family influence
251. Media thoughts…
Books, and especially the Bible - are
important.
They should be attractive and well-
indexed or illustrated if possible.
Tracts need to be attractive and speak
to needs - otherwise they are seldom
read
252. Media thoughts…
Radio - economic, easy to listen to,
gives good retention - but often little
re-exposure
TV - both eye and ear - but more
expensive, must be done carefully
253. Platform media
Evangelists - follow-up is very
important
Films - often the response is
deceptive.
Also some illiterate people have
difficulty following the film
254. Communicatie methoden
Group dialogue - cell groups - can
bring rapid growth.
Radio cassettes can be very effective
if properly used - gospel recordings
Video cassettes or DVD - different
from TV - can be very effective in pre-
evangelism, evangelism, etc.
Slides can be effective, especially for
teaching
255. Mixed media:
Choose media based on the objectives
desired:
.Exposure
.Attention
.Comprehension
.Retention
256. Mixed media:
Choose on the basis of audience
preferences
.Low speed, low transmission -
better for instruction
.High speed, high transmission -
persuasion & reporting
Look at reach, frequency, and cost
257. Media…
Telephone can be used
Computers have not been used
that much yet in the developing
world, but this will radically
change in the days to come
.Direct mailing can be used
selectively
258. Media…
People are important, not only
the respondents, but those who
reinforce the message
Mass media is a supportive role,
but not usually a decisive role,
where personal contact is
necessary
259. We have the TRUTH, and we have
the responsibility to communicate it
The Bible calls us to bring people
to faith and repentance
The Holy Spirit can use us as His
instruments
260. We have the TRUTH, and we have
the Holy Spirit
Only the Holy Spirit can convict
that the sin that sends us to hell
is failure to trust Christ
Only the Holy Spirit convicts us
that the perfect righteousness is
in Christ.
.Only the Holy Spirit can convict
that Satan and his evil spirits are
already defeated at the cross of
Christ
261. We are engaged in a great
truth and power encounter..
The triune God is involved in
missions, and
.He can do everything
.Without Him we can do nothing
.Mankind is helbent with self-
destruction
262. We are engaged in a great
truth and power encounter..
The missionary is the servant of
God, and he can depend on
God’s help to make his pleadings,
reasoning, etc. effective
People are still in the image of
God in their reasoning,
conscience, aspirations, striving,
hopes, fears,
263. What about psychology – see
basic problems
Modern psychology based on the
following:
Naturalism
Determinism
Mankind is intrinsically good
264. Psychology and the
Christian
There must be no conflict with the
Word of God
The treatment must be consistent
with the divine purposes and aims
The treatment must be subject to
biblical principles and the
direction of the Spirit of God
265. Guilt vs. Shame
Guilt - concerned with separate acts
violating rules or codes;
Advance to health means removing
wrong acts & adding right ones;
Emphasis on decision making;
Emphasis on content of experience
in work, leisure, personal relations.
Surmount guilt brings righteousness
266. Guilt vs. Shame
Shame - concerned with the overall self;
Shame is falling short and failing to
reach an ideal;
Total response involving insight;
Ability to live with some indecisiveness
(multiple possibilities),
Emphasis on the quality of experience;
Transcending shame brings identity and
freedom
267. Repressive vs. Suppressive
Repressive (USA & Germany) –
Internal controls important,
Individual centered life,
Search for individual soul,
Stress one religion and monotheism
268. Repressive vs. Suppressive
Suppressive (China & Japan)
External controls important;
Pattern of life is situation
centered;
Religion adjusting to all powers –
polytheism
269. We need to be careful about our
appeals for salvation and sanctification
Western - appeal to the
individual, even to stand against
persecution
But non-western ideal may be to
also consider the family, which is
also very important
270. Remember…
When we talk about self-supporting,
self-governing and self-propagating -
look out that we do not put “myself” in
the center, but Christ must be central!
Individualism can be good - but Christ-
centered, not Western.
The scripture emphasizes both self-
interest and self-abnegation,
individualism and communalism.
The problem is one of emphasis
271. Remember….
You can appeal to shame as well as
guilt - both are guilty before God.
Shame culture - the problem is that
you get caught - but you are still
guilty
We should deliver the message of
God in such a way to concentrate on
glorifying God, and not the
messenger.
272. Decision making
Some cultures will feel that it is an
advantage to keep your options open
as long as possible, and change them
if necessary with the circumstances
It is important to understand how
decisions are made in a society, and
who has the power to make them.
273. Stages in the conversion
process:
Discovery: There is a person called Christ
who is the true God. He came into the world
to be the Savior and Lord of mankind
Deliberation: There is a possibility that I (we)
should forsake the old ways and follow
Christ
Determination: I (we) will repent and believe
in Christ. The next 48 hours are decisive,
and the individual needs support!
274. Stages in the conversion
process:
Dissonance: Shall we (I) resist the
forces that draw us back to the old
ways, and follow Christ despite
difficulties?
Discipline: I will identify with the
people of Christ in the church and live
in submission to His Lordship and
church discipline. This is absolutely
vital.
275. Remember
There is a tendency to weigh as
such: Profit = reward - cost
This is not necessarily wrong.
We need to minister to the whole
person while emphasizing his
soul
People are persuaded by their
reasons, not ours...
276. Critical contextualization
Some deny the old - reject
contextualization
This leaves a cultural vacuum –
Often filled with western culture
although then Christianity is seen as
a foreign religion
Often this results in a syncretic
mixture of paganism & Christianity
277. Critical contextualization
Be careful not to turn missionaries
into church leaders, and deny church
leaders the right to make decisions
The problem is that many things are
associated with heathen religious
rites, since these are virtually all
pervasive
278. Uncritical contextualization
This overlooks that there are
corporate as well as individual
sins like slavery & idolatry
It opens the door to all types of
syncretism – neo-paganism
By the way, that is what we see
with “post-modernism”
279. Critical contextualization
Examine the beliefs in terms of their
old culture and in light of biblical
norms
First try to understand the old ways
Then study biblically the situations
Evaluate customs critically in terms of
the bible
We need to continually re-evaluate
and also pass them on to our children
280. Theological background for
critical contextualization
Priesthood of all believers
The Bible must have first place
The faithful are lead by the Holy
Spirit
The church as a discerning
community
281. The fourth self – a challenge
Self-propagating, self-supporting,
self-governing churches - unity of
world-wide churches
Self-propagating - they must be
taught. Otherwise they see
propagation as the responsibility of
the missionary
282. The fourth self – a challenge
Self-support. The problem is that
the missionary started the program
with foreign funds, and that
sometimes national churches were
unable to continue that without
outside help
Self-governing - give them the
right to make mistakes and learn
from them
283. Self-theologizing
Consider especially with national
leaders after 3-4 generations
The bible is the historical
document of God’s revelation to
humans
Theology is systematic and
historical explication of the truths
of the Bible.
284. Self-theologizing
But theology may be culturally
based to a certain extent;
We are sinners, and can reject
hard sayings
Our language also shapes our
theology
285. What we need:
Clear exegesis - study the biblical
texts in their historical and
cultural context
A clear exegesis of our own
cultural and historical contexts -
the needs of our own culture
A good hermeneutic - making
things culturally relevant today
286. How to begin
Start with the Bible, not our theology,
and the willingness to change if we
see that we are clearly wrong
The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit
guiding into truth.
Be humble!
.The Christian community has a
responsibility to preserve truth
287. Develop theology within the
culture
We don’t need to be afraid - this
will ultimately give more
confidence
We need to apply the findings to
our everyday life
Think long-term so that the
church does not drift - 50 or 100
years
288. Functions of theology
Organize and make sense of our
experiences
Maps for guiding our behavior
It makes explicit theologic ideas which
we have
It is apologetic so that we can make
ourselves clear to non-believers
It is a model of reality to counteract
heresy
289. Steps to contextualization
First - the missionary tries to make
things relevant - but we have a bias of
our own cultural assumptions &
theologies. We also want to develop
a rational organized system of thought
But later every church must face the
issue of making the theology in view
of its own culture
290. Steps to contextualization
.The missionary must truly understand
the culture, but later insist that they
hear the voice of God through the
scriptures, and encourage national
theologians.
Every generation must come to grips
with the truth itself.
If you don’t allow them to develop,
they will often go off and start their
own denomination...
291. Trans-cultural theology
It must be Biblically based. Its
deepest concerns must be sin,
salvation, and God’s rule over His
people
Outsiders can see the cultural bias of
your theology more clearly - we need
to listen to each other
It must focus on God’s acts in history,
and especially on Christ
It must be done through the Holy Spirit
and with humility
292. Initially missionary is spiritual
parent
Relationship of dependency
Then the person becomes
independent
Then it is possible to become
interdependent as equals
293. Initially missionary is spiritual
parent
Missionaries can leave, but they
can also serve as catalysts and
counselors.
They must refrain from giving
answers, but seek the various
options and advantages and
disadvantages, but the national
leaders should make the
decisions.
294. The missionary and the national
Christian: members of a family
We must not become policemen but
help the nationals enforce rules for
purity
We must model forgiveness and
redemption
We must be careful of what sins we
emphasize - and see what the
culture also emphasizes
295. The missionary and the national
Christian: members of a family
We need to model confession and
forgiveness; otherwise we put a
barrier between ourselves and the
nationals
See ourselves as saved sinners I
Tim. 1:15 (I am, not I was)