Introduction to world missions Cross-cultural Communication

Cross-cultural Communication Hindrances to Cross-cultural Communication Monoculturalism – is the assumption that all people are the same as in our culture giving rise to judging other people’s behaviors and attitudes according to one’s own cultural norms. Monocultural – one’s experience is limited to one’s own culture Spiting in Meru Holding hands

Cross-cultural Communication Examples of Monoculturalism from U.S. Perspective: Life style in better Naturalism Individualism Economics Education Biblical Examples: Egyptian and Israelites (Gen. 43:32) Jews and Samaritans (Jn. 4:9) Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10:28; 11:3)

Cross-cultural Communication Hindrances to Cross-cultural Communication Elements of Monoculturalism Equates one’s own perception of reality with reality itself Assumes one’s own beliefs are accepted because they are superior Does not respect other cultures or subcultures Heathen vs. Christian Primitive vs. Advanced Superstitious vs. Religious Civilized vs. Uncivilized or Savage Developed vs. Underdeveloped

Cross-cultural Communication Hindrances to Cross-cultural Communication Kraft’s Three Types of Monoculturalism Eclectic – selected best customs throughout the world to make a superior culture Reactionary – ridicule one’s own culture and adores another One World – feeling that all the world is headed toward a single culture with accommodation to Western thoughts and ideas Fourth Type of Monoculturalism Protective – feeling if one does not uncritically uphold one’s culture in it will be undermined by another

Cross-cultural Communication Hindrances to Cross-cultural Communication Ethnocentric – a person believes his/her own culture is superior to another Justification of ethnocentrism Technological – more advance in products Cultural – most civilized and advanced (Gen. 43:32) Economics – we are wealthier Educational – we are more educated Theological – Christian heritage Racial (Jn. 4:9, Acts 10:28; 11:3)

Cross-cultural Communication Cross-culturalism – is the learned skill of relating to people of other cultures in appropriate ways within their cultural context. Characteristics of Cross-culturalism Learning the language and culture Understand peoples worldview Function effectively within culture Contextualize the Christian message and life Respect for culture and people, as own Eph. 2:14, 19 Rom. 12:10

Cross-cultural Communication Biblical examples of cross-cultural barrier breaking. John 4 Acts 10-11 Cultural differences Meat offered to idols Jew and festivals and sacrifice (Acts 21:23-26) Circumcision

Cross-cultural Communication State of communication in modern world Faster travel Quicker communication Phone Internet Globalization Worldwide shared images Greater knowledge of other peoples and places

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

Cross-cultural Communication Elements of Effective Cross-cultural Communication Missionary is adapting to culture Missionary recognizes the impact of his own culture Missionary is familiar with the biblical culture Goals of Effective Cross-cultural Communication People must learn to interpret scripture in their context Scripture not communicators tradition to be the base for the knowledge of God and His will People develop their own rites Host people and missionaries share same biblical reality

Cross-cultural Communication Cultural Perspective with + 3 Worldview Distance (U.S. vs. Africa) God Distant God Material World Ancestral Spirits Spiritual Realm Spiritual/Physical Diviner Sorcerer World/Nature Deism African Traditional Religion

Cultural Perspective American culture Naturalistic – makes a distinction between natural and spiritual Two realms: Spiritual/Supernatural Natural Examples: Disease: germs Individualistic Optimistic: thin we are in control Present-oriented

Cultural Perspective African culture Spiritualistic – Spiritual powers effecting daily life Group-oriented Family, age mates, clan, tribe Problem solved as a group Fatalistic – not in control because dependent on rains and spiritual world Past-oriented (traditional) Linear in that past generation live on as spiritual beings Meru juju Cyclical in that ins some cases the spirit of ancestor comes back and lives in them Kisigis Kurnet rite

Cultural Perspective New Testament culture Spiritualistic – Spiritual powers under the sovereignty of God Group/individual-oriented Philippian Jailer and his household, Cornilius- his household Paul, Ethiopian eunuch Optimistic Freedom from sin Release from demons or spirits God in control and involve in His creation Past, Present, and Future oriented Saving event in past Present relationship with Christ Future home with God

Eternal Message Changing Culture Process for communicating the Gospel effectively Understand the cultural context Discern the host’s culture’s worldview Be culturally perceptive Re-evaluate one’s own worldview and culture in light of scripture Understand spiritual powers (Eph. 6:12) Realize God continues to work in the world (Jn. 5:17) Be more God-reliant than self-reliant Seek God’s timeless message for all humanity

Eternal Message Changing Culture Seek God’s timeless message for all humanity God’s message guides our understanding of reality, worldview God’s eternal message does not change with culture Teach the essentials Incidentals left to the church in their own culture Singing Prayer Services Holy kiss Head coverings