How can we reframe Christian theology for cultures of guilt, shame, and fear? I developed a “Theology Guide” which systemically charts 40+ theological categories in the language and values of each culture type. For example, the section about God reads: …
The post concludes our series on Gen 1-12 (Gen 2, Imago Dei, The Fall, Gen 4-11). From the heights of glory and honor in Genesis 2, humanity has fallen to the depths of shame (Gen 3). Every self-directed effort to …
The topics of honor and shame have been in the shadows of Christian theology for too long. To foster a positive conversation towards an honor-shame theology, Jackson Wu and I invite you to use #HonorTheology on Twitter and Facebook whenever …
I spent last weekend with ethnic pastors worshipping God for His salvation for shame. It was an amazing time! We gathered church leaders from 8 different ethnic congregations (including Sudan, Eritrea, Egypt, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, and multi-ethnic English) to discuss …
Learn how the gospel speaks to all cultures. Western theology emphasizes legal forgiveness of sins, but people in the Majority World seek honor or spiritual power. In today’s globalized world, Christians need a three-dimensional gospel. Learn how the Bible speaks to cultures …
“We have to reckon with three different types of reactions to transgressions of religiously sanctioned codes: fear, shame, and guilt.” (Eugene Nida, Customs and Cultures [1954], p. 150)Christian missiologists identify three responses to sin in human cultures: guilt, shame, and fear. …
To make it easier for people to learn about Honor-Shame cultures, I have developed: TheCultureTest.com is a free assessment tool for learning your group’s culture type – guilt, shame, or fear. It is like a personality test, but for groups …
After the fall of Adam and Eve, the storyline of Genesis reads like a season of Arrested Development (or any other sitcom about a dysfunctional family) – a series of episodes featuring the human family’s disgrace and dysfunction. Humans sense …
Adam and Eve’s glorious and shame-free life did not last long. They sin, and shame enters the world. (Previous posts on their honor at a creation – HERE and HERE.) After eating the fruit, Adam and Eve cover themselves with fig leaves. They do …
What exactly is ‘the image of God’? Western theology asks which facet of humans makes them ‘like’ God – intelligence, emotions, morality?? This approach defines the precise qualities that people share with God (personality, will, sensibility, etc.) from a philosophical …
Shame is a dominant moral emotion in many pockets of American society. These subcultures use public praise and scorn to regulate behavior. In such groups, a person’s reputation is determined by their ability to meet the group expectations, the unwritten …
Q: “If Adam was a Central Asian, what type of person would he be?” A: “Oh! He would be a respected guy! People would honor him because…” This conversation with my Central Asian friend helped me to see the various …
Guest blogger Colin E. Andrews has lived in Central Asia for 10 years and Southeast Asia for 4 years. The Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has been in the headlines for months now. Western journalists and governments have …
The facts are in regarding economic inequality. It exists!In America, the top 1% own 33% of the wealth in America, the next 9% own another third, and the bottom 90% of Americans own the final 33% of wealth. (The bottom …
This post was originally published at the Washington Institute‘s Missio blog. Is our work sacred? Does God “see” what you and I do from 8am – 5pm? Beyond the paycheck, do our jobs mean something? In our ever secularized world, contemporary Christians …
Does Paying Money Honor or Dishonor?In 1969, the St. Louis Cardinals traded their All-Star center fielder, Curt Flood, to the Phillies. During the days before free agency, MLB players were owned by one team for life. Instead of reporting to …
I created a new resources page of videos I commonly use when doing honor-shame trainings. If you only have time to watch one, I recommend the 2-minute “Africa Mercy Ships“. It is powerful, encouraging, and illuminating. The videos include: TEACHINGS ON …
WIN ANOTHER FREE BOOK! We are doing one more promotional book giveaway. Last week’s winners of Misinterpreting Scripture were Clive of Chicago, who learned of @HonorShame on Twitter from Mike in Long Beach. This week’s book is Shame Interrupted: How God …
WIN A FREE BOOK! To broaden the conversation about honor & shame, we are giving away Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes. Although the book is about hermeneutics, cross-cultural workers are finding it highly relevant for ministry as well. (If you …
Here is something we have all experienced: You are looking to buy a new car, and begin eyeing (for example) the Toyota Corolla. Now that you are thinking about buying a Corolla, they begin popping everywhere on the road! Where …