Secular Context of Missions Hu Shih, Chinese philosopher said China has five great enemies: poverty,...

Secular Context of Secular Context of MissionsMissions

Hu Shih, Chinese philosopher Hu Shih, Chinese philosopher said China has five great said China has five great

enemies: poverty, disease, enemies: poverty, disease, ignorance, greed and disorderignorance, greed and disorder

Political Context of Missions – Political Context of Missions – cause of disordercause of disorder

Governments are ordained by God (Rom 13:1-Governments are ordained by God (Rom 13:1-7)7)

Satan uses civil governments to his end (Isa Satan uses civil governments to his end (Isa 14; Ezek 28) with demonic warfare around 14; Ezek 28) with demonic warfare around government power (Dan 10:1, 12-13)government power (Dan 10:1, 12-13)– Jesus called “prince of this world” (Jn 12:31; 14:30; Jesus called “prince of this world” (Jn 12:31; 14:30;

16:11)16:11)– Paul called Satan, “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4)Paul called Satan, “god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4)

Only exception to secular obedience is the Only exception to secular obedience is the responsibility to preach the gospel regardless responsibility to preach the gospel regardless (Ac 4:19-20; 5:29)(Ac 4:19-20; 5:29) 22150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups

Key Political MovementsKey Political MovementsColonial Period – 19Colonial Period – 19thth Cent Cent

At that time imperialism was a way of At that time imperialism was a way of international lifeinternational life

Even missionaries regarded colonialism as Even missionaries regarded colonialism as lesser of two evilslesser of two evils

Considered colonialism as an instrument Considered colonialism as an instrument of God to work His purposeof God to work His purpose

Missionaries were among first to repudiate Missionaries were among first to repudiate evils of colonialismevils of colonialism

Missionaries believed first allegiance to Missionaries believed first allegiance to Jesus, not to governmentsJesus, not to governments

33150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups

Key Political MovementKey Political MovementTribalism-Nationalism– 20Tribalism-Nationalism– 20thth Cent Cent

Tribalism determines the success of Tribalism determines the success of nationalism (Rwanda: Hutus, majority, nationalism (Rwanda: Hutus, majority, slaughtered dominant Tutus)slaughtered dominant Tutus)

Ethnic groups (not primitive “tribal” groups)Ethnic groups (not primitive “tribal” groups) Hatred between Catholic Croats, Muslim Hatred between Catholic Croats, Muslim

Bosnians, Orthodox Serbs in BalkansBosnians, Orthodox Serbs in Balkans– First coined phrase “ethnic cleansing”First coined phrase “ethnic cleansing”

Mission schools taught literacy, translations Mission schools taught literacy, translations (esp. Bible), promoted democracy, dignity of (esp. Bible), promoted democracy, dignity of labor, worth of individual, social justice, labor, worth of individual, social justice, personal integrity, freedom of thought and personal integrity, freedom of thought and speechspeech


Key Political MovementKey Political MovementCommunism– 20Communism– 20thth -21 -21stst Cent Cent

In 1950-1970 – 1/3 of world was under In 1950-1970 – 1/3 of world was under communist controlcommunist control

Only a few communist regimes remainOnly a few communist regimes remain China more capitalistic than China more capitalistic than

communistic, but still totalitariancommunistic, but still totalitarian Marxist guerrillas very active in LA, esp. Marxist guerrillas very active in LA, esp.

in Colombia and Peruin Colombia and Peru Socialists, Marxists gaining in many Socialists, Marxists gaining in many

countriescountries55150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups

Key Political MovementKey Political MovementTotalitarianism– 20Totalitarianism– 20thth--21--21stst Cent Cent

Major opposition to the GospelMajor opposition to the Gospel Communist and Muslim statesCommunist and Muslim states Leaders tend to be paranoiac, Leaders tend to be paranoiac,

defensive and brutaldefensive and brutal The age of martyrs continuesThe age of martyrs continues Built on unity of education and Built on unity of education and

religionreligion66150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups

2. Health Context of Missions2. Health Context of Missions

Concern for personal health and health of Concern for personal health and health of target audience – medical missionstarget audience – medical missions

To stay long in a place greater precautionsTo stay long in a place greater precautions Great needs, especially among poor, rural Great needs, especially among poor, rural

people people Dysentery, malaria, typhoid, (measles Dysentery, malaria, typhoid, (measles

among tribal people missionaries among tribal people missionaries contaminate!)contaminate!)

AIDS can eliminate whole countries in next AIDS can eliminate whole countries in next decade in Africa!decade in Africa!


Socio-Economic ContextSocio-Economic Context PovertyPoverty is massive in two-thirds world (80% of unreached) is massive in two-thirds world (80% of unreached) CausesCauses: political oppression, incompetence, lack of : political oppression, incompetence, lack of

education, discrimination, social marginalization, corruptioneducation, discrimination, social marginalization, corruption Christian responseChristian response: reject “prosperity gospel” – wisely help : reject “prosperity gospel” – wisely help

resolve problemsresolve problems Poverty hinders progress of Gospel Poverty hinders progress of Gospel – ignorance, – ignorance,

illiteracy, disease, premature deathsilliteracy, disease, premature deaths Responsiveness of poorResponsiveness of poor: vast majority of world Christians: vast majority of world Christians

– Outcastes or lower castes in IndiaOutcastes or lower castes in India– Most missionaries from lower classes in USMost missionaries from lower classes in US

Principle of Principle of ““LiftLift””– Missionary brings possibility of ascending social class Missionary brings possibility of ascending social class

ladderladder– In 3 generations, most Christian churches are middle classIn 3 generations, most Christian churches are middle class


Money per Person Around the Money per Person Around the World per yearWorld per year

USA TODAY Snapshots, Source: The World Bank, August, 2005


Cultural Context of MissionsCultural Context of MissionsMissionary: a Cross-Cultural ProclaimerMissionary: a Cross-Cultural Proclaimer

Culture is the “integrated system of Culture is the “integrated system of ideas, feelings and values and their ideas, feelings and values and their associated patterns of behavior and associated patterns of behavior and products shared by a group of people products shared by a group of people who organize and regulate what they who organize and regulate what they think, feel and do accordingly” – Paul think, feel and do accordingly” – Paul HiebertHiebert


Factors relating to CultureFactors relating to Culture1.1. Culture ShockCulture Shock

– Language shock, changes in routine, relationships, Language shock, changes in routine, relationships, loss of understanding, emotional and evaluative loss of understanding, emotional and evaluative disorientation.disorientation.

2.2. IdentificationIdentification– Where does the missionary fit in cultural mosaic: Where does the missionary fit in cultural mosaic:

economically, socially, dresseconomically, socially, dress– Hudson Taylor was a pioneer in identificationHudson Taylor was a pioneer in identification– Colonial concepts persist and resist such Colonial concepts persist and resist such

identificationidentification– At times identification can be seen as negative: At times identification can be seen as negative:

mocking culture, loss of respectmocking culture, loss of respect– Missionaries before WW2 did not model Missionaries before WW2 did not model

identification wellidentification well– Good language mastery is most difficult partGood language mastery is most difficult part– Obstacles to identification: stratified society, Obstacles to identification: stratified society,

domestic family situations, multiracial situations, domestic family situations, multiracial situations, economic disparity, non-Christian values, religious economic disparity, non-Christian values, religious rites contrary to God’s Word.rites contrary to God’s Word. 1313150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups

Coping with Culture ShockCoping with Culture ShockINITIAL

ATTITUDESCOPING

STRATEGIESRESULTS

Openness

Acceptance

Trust

Suspicion

Fear

Prejudice

Frustration

Confusion

Tension

Embarrassments

Rapport and Understanding

Alienation

And

IsolationREACTIVE RESPONSES

Observe

Listen

Inquire

Criticize

Rationalize

Withdraw

ChoicesCulturalDifferences

INEVITABLE REACTIONS TO CROSS-CULTURAL

ENCOUNTERS


Stages People Go Through in Stages People Go Through in a New Culturea New Culture

FunFun: The excitement and adventure of : The excitement and adventure of experiencing new people, things, and experiencing new people, things, and opportunities. opportunities.

FlightFlight: The urge to avoid everything and : The urge to avoid everything and everyone that is different. everyone that is different.

FightFight: The temptation to judge people or : The temptation to judge people or things that may be different as bad or things that may be different as bad or foolish. foolish.

FitFit: Willingness to understand, to : Willingness to understand, to embrace, and to creatively interact with embrace, and to creatively interact with the new culture. the new culture.


Symptoms of Culture ShockSymptoms of Culture Shock Unwarranted criticism of the culture and peopleUnwarranted criticism of the culture and people Heightened irritabilityHeightened irritability Constant complaints about the climateConstant complaints about the climate Continual offering of excuses for staying indoorsContinual offering of excuses for staying indoors Utopian ideas concerning one's previous cultureUtopian ideas concerning one's previous culture Continuous concern about the purity of water and Continuous concern about the purity of water and

foodfood Fear of touching local peopleFear of touching local people Refusal to learn the languageRefusal to learn the language Preoccupation about being robbed or cheatedPreoccupation about being robbed or cheated Pressing desire to talk with people who "really Pressing desire to talk with people who "really

make sense."make sense." Preoccupation with returning homePreoccupation with returning home


Coping with Culture Shock: Coping with Culture Shock: Survival TechniquesSurvival Techniques

Focus on what you can controlFocus on what you can control – People in culture shock often feel out of control. So, don't People in culture shock often feel out of control. So, don't

worry about things you cannot change. worry about things you cannot change. Don't invest major energy in minor problemsDon't invest major energy in minor problems

– People make "mountains out of molehills" even more People make "mountains out of molehills" even more quickly in cross-cultural situations than they do in their quickly in cross-cultural situations than they do in their own culture own culture

Tackle major stressors head onTackle major stressors head on – Don't avoid things Don't avoid things

Ask for helpAsk for help – Create a wide support network as quickly as you can in Create a wide support network as quickly as you can in

your target culture your target culture Write it down Write it down

– Record your thoughts and frustrations in a journal. This Record your thoughts and frustrations in a journal. This will give you a healthy outlet for expressing your feelings.will give you a healthy outlet for expressing your feelings.


Factors relating to CultureFactors relating to Culture

3.3. Communicating the message cross-Communicating the message cross-culturallyculturally

– World view (ways of perceiving reality)World view (ways of perceiving reality)– Cognitive processes (ways of thinking)Cognitive processes (ways of thinking)– Linguistic forms (ways of expressing Linguistic forms (ways of expressing

ideas)ideas)– Behavioral patterns (ways of acting)Behavioral patterns (ways of acting)– Social structures (ways of interacting)Social structures (ways of interacting)– Media influence (ways of channeling the Media influence (ways of channeling the

message)message)– Motivational resources (ways of deciding)Motivational resources (ways of deciding)


Factors relating to CultureFactors relating to Culture

44. Contextualization. Contextualization– Framing the message in language and Framing the message in language and

communication forms appropriate and meaningful communication forms appropriate and meaningful to the local cultureto the local culture

– Focused on “relevant issues”Focused on “relevant issues”– Serious questions on “how far to go”Serious questions on “how far to go”– Cultural adaptation and understanding versus Cultural adaptation and understanding versus

trans-cultural universalstrans-cultural universals– Must not compromise trans-cultural absolutes of Must not compromise trans-cultural absolutes of

WordWord5. 5. Indigenization: national or nativeIndigenization: national or native

– 3-selfs – Roland Allen3-selfs – Roland Allen– Grow church with capability of nationals, not Grow church with capability of nationals, not

missionarymissionary– Avoid dependency on missionary as much as Avoid dependency on missionary as much as

possiblepossible 1919150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups150 unreached Chinese in 830 people groups

The Perils of MonoculturalismThe Perils of Monoculturalism

1. A naïve ethnocentrism1. A naïve ethnocentrism – ““I judge everything using my own culture as the measuring I judge everything using my own culture as the measuring

rod without being consciously aware of what I'm doing.”rod without being consciously aware of what I'm doing.”

2. Absolutist thinking2. Absolutist thinking – Insisting that things are not to be questioned: "It's my way or Insisting that things are not to be questioned: "It's my way or

the highway" the highway" – An overly legalistic concern for maintaining An overly legalistic concern for maintaining form, form,

precedents and established customsprecedents and established customs

3. An embracing of naive realism 3. An embracing of naive realism – "As we see things, that's the way they are." "As we see things, that's the way they are." – Naive realism says that we can know things in the world Naive realism says that we can know things in the world

directly without taking into account our own filtering directly without taking into account our own filtering processes. Naive realism is the view that when we perceive processes. Naive realism is the view that when we perceive something, we have perceived it exactly as it is. It is something, we have perceived it exactly as it is. It is believing that our perceptions of reality are not colored or believing that our perceptions of reality are not colored or mediated by anything else. mediated by anything else.


The Perils of MonoculturalismThe Perils of Monoculturalism

4. Lack of respect for other people's ways4. Lack of respect for other people's ways – "There's no one else here." "There's no one else here."

5. The evaluation of customs and perspectives 5. The evaluation of customs and perspectives on the basis of one's own culturally learned on the basis of one's own culturally learned assumptions and values (worldview)assumptions and values (worldview) – This grows out of the sense that one's views have been This grows out of the sense that one's views have been

arrived at because they are superior to any other views. arrived at because they are superior to any other views.

6. The use of pejorative terms to describe 6. The use of pejorative terms to describe customs different from one's own customs different from one's own – This may even be done innocently simply because one This may even be done innocently simply because one

hasn't thought through the baggage which those terms hasn't thought through the baggage which those terms and phrases carry because of the way they have and phrases carry because of the way they have historically been usedhistorically been used


Educational Context of Educational Context of MissionsMissions

Educational Context of Educational Context of MissionsMissions

Major misery, disease and poor economic Major misery, disease and poor economic conditions due to lack of educationconditions due to lack of education

Eph 4:17-18 – ignorance of God’s Word is major Eph 4:17-18 – ignorance of God’s Word is major needneed

Illiteracy is major problem, but gospel must Illiteracy is major problem, but gospel must spread to illiterate through story telling and spread to illiterate through story telling and Scripture memorizationScripture memorization

Education is not a panacea – illiterates are very Education is not a panacea – illiterates are very sharp at rememberingsharp at remembering

Sequence: Chronological Bible Storying – Sequence: Chronological Bible Storying – Literacy—Primary education (K-9)—Secondary Literacy—Primary education (K-9)—Secondary education—Bible School/Seminary-Universityeducation—Bible School/Seminary-University


Secular Context of Missions Hu Shih, Chinese philosopher said China has five great enemies: poverty,...

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