April 10, 2014
Cross-Cultural Evangelism
I’m struggling with a college class on cross-cultural
evangelism. The thrust of the class puts a prerequisite on the missionary to
become part of the culture – language, customs – in order to spread the Gospel
effectively. That part I get. What I’m not seeing is any responsibility being
placed on those who are hearing the message. Certainly there are examples of
the disciples fitting into the culture of their day in order to reach people.
However, there are also examples of people responding to the message with what
appears to be very little effort on the part of the messenger – Jonah and Nineveh,
Phillip and the Ethiopian eunuch, Peter and the centurion. What I question is
who has the greater responsibility, the messenger or the responder. In the
parable of the pearl, the merchant did not need anyone to learn his language or
culture in order for him to see the value in the pearl. “Again, the kingdom of
heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of
great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it (Matt 13:45-46
NIV).”
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Gail;
-----Of the human category are the categories of the saved and the unsaved. Of the categories of the unsaved are some with left inclination and some with right (two categories each of their own,) “A wise man’s heart inclines him toward the right, but a fool’s heart toward the left.” (Eccl 10:2) Inclination is an interesting concept. It’s rather a thing of “natural disposition,” like “a particular disposition of mind or character,” as in having “a tendency toward a particular aspect, state, character, or action.” (Merriam-Webster’s 11th Col Dict.) It isn’t that wisdom inclines the heart to the right any more than it’s that the heart being inclined to the right becomes wise. It’s a blissfully harmonious reverberation.
-----A while back I profusely bloviated upon what I call the human equation: memory plus information plus logic is intelligence; intelligence plus humility is wisdom; intelligence plus arrogance is foolishness. This is a function of how the subconscious is constructed and inclined by our conscious moments. I will spare you the details. Folks generally think of humility as putting yourself into a lower place than others, or at least a lowering of yourself. We think of it that way because we are all so pompous. We who are wise then have an inclination to lower ourselves a bit. But “lowering the self” is a heuristic concept. The Bible’s underscored, most basic concept is truth - the mind reflecting what is. When it speaks of lowering the self it does not speak of lowering it to a false low, but to its true position. When “humility” crosses paths with the Bible, it is the seeking of truth to locate correct positioning.
-----Some who do not yet know the Lord are Biblically humble. They desire to know the truth because it spares them so much grief. So, the inner working of their minds naturally vet its own conclusions for truth. Their unknowing state is not from denial, but lack of information. This especially explains the examples of Phillip’s eunuch acquaintance and Peter’s centurion. The Ninevites? Most understanding of that event requires a discussion of fear and social psychology, because once again, “Ninevite” is a category containing both sub-categories of left and right inclination - fools and wise folks, that is to say.
-----So, how much responsibility should be left to the listener depends upon the listener’s leaning. As an author, you understand the importance of knowing your audience’s general inclinations. That does not change when the message is the gospel. This is why most of us are better evangelists to the wise, and terrible ones to the foolish. We understand the wise; we are of that category. Everybody can quarrel and squabble, which the Bible says fools love doing. But such does not convince. Argument convinces. And argument is not bickering; it is reasoning. It takes special talent and uncanny patience to convincingly reason with a fool. Anyone who desires to give that a whirl will bear almost the entire responsibility for making contact with whatever understanding might be rattling around in their massive heads.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
Post a Comment