Category: Honor

By Posted on Posted in Honor, Sin, Theology 1 Comment Tagged with , , ,
The English word “thanksgiving” means food and football. The biblical concept is far different. In honor-shame cultures, the ideology of patronage structures most relationships. This means clients are morally obligated to express thankfulness and gratitude to patrons. The failure to properly reciprocate …

Unthankfulness = Sin. So, Happy Thanksgiving! Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Culture, ethics, Honor, leadership, Ministry, Relationships No Comments Tagged with , , ,
Patricia Toland (Ph.D. in Intercultural Studies, Biola University) has served in Africa and Latin America since 1990 mobilizing the Latino church and training Latino Missionaries. She also lectures, trains, and ministers internationally to missionaries on the field and in universities. …

Honor & Patronage Among Church Leaders Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Honor, Ministry, Missiology, NT, OT, Resources, Shame, Theology 1 Comment Tagged with , , , , , ,
My latest book Ministering in Honor-Shame Cultures: Biblical Foundations and Practical Essentials (InterVarsity Press) is now available.This 270-page book equips Christians to proclaim and embody the gospel in honor-shame contexts. Our aim was simple: to show how honor-shame is central …

New Book: Ministering in Honor-Shame Cultures (IVP) Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Culture, Evangelism, Honor, Relationships 4 Comments Tagged with , , , ,
Rich (B.Th) has worked in the Arab world for 6 years and is researching patronage in Arabic language, culture and theology.Arabs look to community leaders to help them, including managers, fathers, businessmen, celebrities and teachers. My university students expected me to …

5 Lessons I Learned From Being a Terrible Patron Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Christology, Honor, Jesus, salvation, Sin, Theology 10 Comments Tagged with , , ,
What happens during a sacrifice? How do sacrifices work? What was killing an animal in the temple supposed accomplish?Malachi 1:6-2:9 explains the logical underpinning of temple sacrifices. Basically, the priest’s defective sacrifices failed to honor God. The priests’ unclean animals have shown …

How OT Sacrifices Saved Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Culture, Honor, In The News, Relationships, Shame 7 Comments Tagged with , ,
The diplomatic tiff this week between Germany and Turkey is the same thorn bush that often entangles Western missionaries.The German Parliament adopted a symbolic resolution declaring the killings of Armenians by Ottoman Turks in 1915 a “genocide.” The Ottomans killed over 1 million Armenians, …

Making Peace like Jesus, not Germany Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Christology, Honor, Jesus, Spirituality, Theology 1 Comment Tagged with , , , , , ,
Dr. Kenneth Bailey (1930-2016) was an MK and New Testament professor who has spent most of his life in the Middle East. His many books (e.g., Jesus in Mediterranean Eyes) explain the cultural and honor-shame elements of the gospels. This explanation of …

Partaking in His Glory (Dr. Ken Bailey) Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Culture, Evangelism, Honor, Ministry, Resources 4 Comments Tagged with , , , ,
In this Gospel Coalition video, Tim Keller offers some reflections about the role of shame in evangelism.I’m obviously delighted that Keller and TGC discuss honor-shame cultures in their gospel conversation. And Keller and the other folks at TGC are brilliant guys doing great work, for which …

Tim Keller & TGC Video on Shame Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Culture, Evangelism, Honor, Resources, Shame No Comments Tagged with , ,
This post is part of the online conversation “Leading and Ministering in Honor-Shame Contexts” in April 2016. Click here to read reflections and insights from mission practioners. How can the gospel change people in honor-shame cultures?Remember, the gospel is not a tool for just making converts out …

A Gospel That Changes Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Culture, Honor, Missiology No Comments Tagged with ,
This post is part of the online conversation “Leading and Ministering in Honor-Shame Contexts” in April 2016. Click here to read reflections and insights from mission practioners. Honor-shame cultures share something in common with wine. They both have terroir—a unique flavor depending on the context. Honor …

The Different Faces of Honor-Shame Cultures Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Communication, Evangelism, Honor, News, Theology 5 Comments Tagged with , , , , ,
Bruce Sidebotham (D.Min., New Geneva Theological Seminary) spent 7 years doing cross-cultural ministry in Indonesia. He directs the ministry called Operation Reveille that helps service personnel with cross-cultural relations. Why do Muslims attempt to defend the honor of Islam against insults? Amidst the …

Why Muslims Defend God’s Honor Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Bible, Culture, Evangelism, Honor, Missiology, Theology 1 Comment Tagged with , , , , ,
Guest Jackson Wu teaches Chinese pastors and blogs at www.JacksonWu.org. His latest book is One Gospel for All Nations: A Practical Approach to Biblical Contextualization. When meeting up recently, he mentioned how our books share some overlap. Here’s the idea. …

One Gospel for Shame, Guilt, & Fear Cultures? Read more »

By Posted on Posted in Communication, Culture, Honor, Ministry, Missiology, Relationships, Resources, Shame, Sin, Spirituality 2 Comments Tagged with , , , ,
What is addiction? How is addiction healed? This new TED talk—“Everything You Think You Know About Addiction is Wrong”—connects these questions about addiction to shame and honor (granted, it uses language besides “honor” and “shame” to do so). Research shows …

An Answer for Addiction Read more »