1. Cultures and Worldviews23
Cultures and Worldviews

2. Why study culture?
Because cross-cultural ignorance is a strong deterrent to the spread of the gospel around the world

3. What is culture?
Def: The integrated system of learned behavior characteristic of members of a society.

4. What is worldview?
Def: A set of underlying assumptions and allegiances that interpret existence. It binds people together as they use it to understand the world around them

5. What are the functions of worldview?
Tell us What is real
Rank things according to importance
Tell us our underlying beliefs
Shape our behavior

6. Worldview Universals*
Categorization – all societies group things according to some logic
Person-group – the smallest group that can decide
Causality – why things happen
Time-event – structure life around one of these
Space-material – how much space and stuff
*From Charles Kraft

7. Why learn worldview?
Because we come with a worldview that blinds us to the life-ways of the target people
Without knowing theirs, we will assume ours is superior (ethnocentrism)
Missionaries need to attain the attitudes of learner, servant, and purpose
The missionaries sense of purpose tempers the other two, to keep them effective

8. How can missionaries learn worldview?
Use tools: observation, engagement, interviews, and research.
Research is the first step
A cultural “coach” can be invaluable as you start to engage people of the new culture
See example of Paul at Athens

9. How can worldviews change?
Invention, instability, intervention(outsider), and intervention from above (spiritual)
When old worldview assumptions can’t answer current issues, change is possible
Most lasting is when God intervenes – the power of the gospel to change lives