world RELIGIONS Religion & Culture

Culture Culture defined: “Kultur” – early 19th century German usage Culture is the integrated system of learned patterns of ideas, values, behavior, and products characteristic of a society. “Kultur” – early 19th century German usage E. B. Tylor pioneer anthropologist borrowed in 1871 to designate “the total nonbiologically transmitted heritage of man” Considered one of the most important contributions of anthropology to the missionary endeavor (Luzbetak 1963, 59).

Culture Elements of Definition of Culture Integrated Learned Ideas Values Behavior Products Society

Culture Cultural Diversity Language Physical items Life style Relationship with others Values Gestures Personal space

Cultural Perspective Cultural Perspectives 1.  We tend to view other cultures from our home culture perspective. a) Western - technology and economic strength (thing or task oriented) b) African - social cohesion in tribe and clan (people oriented) 2. Every culture has it good and evil aspects. a) Africa - one God but distant with personal spiritual beings in between. God is not personally involved in the world. b) U.S. - the world is basically viewed materialistic with little or no spiritual influence but controlled by the laws of nature. c) We bring the Christian perspective. d) God is the ultimate judge.

Cultural Adaptation Cultural Adaptation 1. Enculturation - is the process by which a child learns to be a functioning member of its home culture. 2. Acculturation - is the process by which and adult acquires the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and behaviors to function within a new culture.

Incarnational Missions Incarnational Mission – refers to missionaries’ practice of missions as Christ was incarnate as a person by incarnating themselves in the new cultural context by identification with the people through personal interaction by learning the language and culture to better proclaim the gospel.

Incarnational Missions Identification – It is empathy between communicants involving a compassionate, interpersonal, reciprocal sharing of feelings and concepts. - Compassion - Interpersonal - Reciprocal sharing of feelings and concepts - Purposeful participation in the lives of others

Incarnational Missions Jesus the supreme example of identificational principle through his incarnation. Types of Identification Outer identification - Appear to be like the people but inside they are very distant. Inner identification – (Psychological) envolves the missionary’s attitudes, his understanding of, and empathy with the people to whom he is ministering.

Incarnational Missions Identificational traits Language learning Appreciation for cultural values Understanding felt needs and aspirations Evaluate cultural traits in context Willingness to be known Establish one-on-one relationships Focus on people instead of programs Exchange home visits Adjust standard of living to local conditions

Incarnational Missions Indentificational barriers Ethnocentrism – belief in one’s own pattern of behavior (or ethnic group) is best, most natural, most correct, or most important. Withdrawal and isolation Cultural overhang – use methods for home culture Ridiculing spiritual phenomena Impatience Imported frills

Cross-cultural Communication TIME CULTURE M S R M R TIME S CULTURE R CULTURE S R M Noise Noise Third Culture Biblical Culture M Encodes Decodes R S R S S = Source M = Message R = Receptor Feedback M American Culture

Contextualization Contextualization is defined as communicating the gospel within a socio-cultural context in a way that is understandable to the recipients in order for them to do theology, develop church life, be involved in ministry which is biblically based and culturally appropriate.

Religion & Cultural Distance Terms: Bridging - being able to bridge cultural barriers to effectively communicate the gospel “Worldview - is a fundamental cognitive, affective and evaluative assumptions a group of people make about the nature of things, and which they order their lives.” – Paul Hiebert