You CAN contextualize the gospel in the language of honor and shame
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Transcript of You CAN contextualize the gospel in the language of honor and shame
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
You can contextualize the gospel in the
language of honor and shame
ISI Regional Training Conference Phoenix Seminary / Phoenix, Arizona
March 17, 2015
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
• Definitions of honor and shame • Basic differences between guilt/innocence and
honor/shame cultures • What does it mean to contextualize the gospel? • Where do we have a blind spot concerning
honor and shame in Western theology? • How the gospel is embodied by culture, and what
it means to “assume the gospel” • Comparison of “The Four Spiritual Laws”
with the “Father’s Love Gospel Booklet”
You can contextualize the gospel in the language of honor and shame
DEFINITIONS
HONOR: “the worth or value of persons both in their eyes and in the eyes of their village, neighborhood, or society.” … “The critical item is the public nature of respect and reputation.”
–Jerome Neyrey
SHAME: “the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging” … “the fear of disconnection.”
–Brené Brown
DEFINITIONS
Innocence/guilt vs honor/shame
Innocence/guilt vs honor/shame
Innocence/guilt vs honor/shame
North America
Europe
Australia & New ZealandWestern
World
Innocence/guilt vs honor/shame
North America
Europe
Australia & New ZealandWestern
World
Innocence/guilt vs honor/shame
Majority World
Innocence/guilt vs honor/shame
Majority World
Very general comparison
Majority World
Western World
Very general comparison
Majority World
Western World
Equality
Individual
Very general comparison
Majority World
Western World
Equality
Individual
Hierarchy
Group
There’s a lot more about shame in the Bible than guilt
Majority World
Western World
0
100
200
300
400
Guilt-based words Shame-based words
Old TestamentNew Testament
GuiltShame
References to Guilt vs. Shamein the Bible
SOURCE: Timothy C. Tennent: Theology in the Context of World Christianity, p.93
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A classic Bible text on contextualization…
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(19) For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
(20) To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
(21) To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
(22) To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
(23) I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.
1 Corinthians 9:19–23 ESV
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How can the gospel “come alive” in all these different cultural
contexts, and still be the same authentic gospel? That is the
problem of contextualization. –Lesslie Newbigin,
The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, p.144
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
contextualization— The dynamic and comprehensive process by which the gospel is incarnated within a concrete historical or cultural situation. …Dean Flemming: Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission (Kindle Locations 123-126). Kindle Edition.
‘‘
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
contextualization— … This happens in such a way that the gospel both comes to authentic expression in the local context and at the same time prophetically transforms the context. Contextualization seeks to enable the people of God to live out the gospel in obedience to Christ within their own cultures and circumstances.Dean Flemming: Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission (Kindle Locations 123-126). Kindle Edition.
‘‘
’’
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Here’s a way of thinking about contextualization based on ideas from
Jackson Wu’s book: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese
Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Great blog: jacksonwu.org
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Biblical Truth
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Biblical Truth
Theology
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Biblical Truth
Theology
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
Note: The totality of Biblical truth is always higher and greater than one’s theology.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
Area 1: One’s theology is biblical and correct but a culture rejects the truth.
1
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Area 2: The culture has accepted biblical categories and values (perhaps unknowingly), but which are outside of one’s theology.
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
1 2
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Area 3: Values and beliefs are consistent with biblical truth, one’s theology and the cultural context.
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
1 23
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Area 4: One’s theology is accepted by the cultural context, but is outside of biblical truth.
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
1 234
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Area 5: Beliefs are part of one’s theology, but are neither biblical nor overlap with the cultural context.
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
1 2345
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Area 6: Beliefs and values in the cultural context are neither biblical nor a part of one’s theology.
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
1 2345 6
Jackson Wu’s Figure 1
From Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013) 52-53.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
1 2345 6
Area 2: The culture has accepted biblical categories and values (perhaps unknowingly), but which are outside of one’s theology.
What are some values from other cultures which might fit into Area 2 ?
• honor/shame • respect for
ancestors • familial piety
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Biblical Truth
Theology CulturalContext
1 2345 6
Area 2: The culture has accepted biblical categories and values (perhaps unknowingly), but which are outside of one’s theology.
Area 2 is where
“blind spots” occur
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Example of a blind spot
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Timothy Tennent, President, Asbury Theological SeminaryTheology in the Context of World Christianity, p.93
Since Western systematic theology has been almost exclusively written by theologians from cultures framed primarily by the values of guilt and innocence, there has been a corresponding failure to fully appreciate the importance of the pivotal values of honor and shame in understanding Scripture and the doctrine of sin. Bruce Nichols, the founder of the “Evangelical Review of Theology,” has acknowledged this problem, noting that Christian theologians have “rarely if ever stressed salvation as honoring God, exposure of sin as shame, and the need for acceptance as the restoration of honor.”*
‘‘
*Bruce Nicholls: “The Role of Shame and Guilt in a Theology of Cross-Cultural Mission,” Evangelical Review of Theology 25, no. 3, (2001): 232.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
In fact, a survey of all of the leading textbooks used in teaching systematic theology across the major theological traditions reveals that although the indexes are filled with references to guilt, the word “shame” appears in the index of only one of these textbooks. This omission continues to persist despite the fact that the term guilt and its various derivatives occur 145 times in the Old Testament and 10 times in the New Testament, whereas the term shame and its derivatives occur nearly 300 times in the Old Testament and 45 times in the New Testament.”
‘‘Timothy Tennent, President, Asbury Theological SeminaryTheology in the Context of World Christianity, p.93
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
This is clearly an area where systematic theology must be challenged to reflect more adequately the testimony of Scripture. I am confident that a more biblical understanding of human identity outside of Christ that is framed by guilt, fear, and shame will, in turn, stimulate a more profound and comprehensive appreciation for the work of Christ on the cross. This approach will also greatly help peoples in the Majority World to understand the significance and power of Christ’s work, which has heretofore been told primarily from only one perspective.
‘‘Timothy Tennent, President, Asbury Theological SeminaryTheology in the Context of World Christianity, p.93
’’Timothy C. Tennent: Theology in the Context of World Christianity: How the Global Church Is Influencing the Way We Think about and Discuss Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007) p. 92–93
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
0
100
200
300
400
Guilt-based words Shame-based words
Old TestamentNew Testament
GuiltShame
References to Guilt vs. Shame in the Bible
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
0
100
200
300
400
Guilt-based words Shame-based words
Old TestamentNew Testament
GuiltShame
References to Guilt vs. Shame in the Bible
Could it be we have a
blind spot?
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
poverty / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / written
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legal
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstract
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Wes
tern
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Canopy of Biblical Truth
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
glory to God glory for humanity
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 2
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
glory to God glory for humanityjustice for oppressedjustice for oppressor acceptance of injustice
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 2
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
glory to God glory for humanityjustice for oppressedjustice for oppressor acceptance of injustice
subjective / emotional objective / intellectual
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 2
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
glory to God glory for humanityjustice for oppressedjustice for oppressor acceptance of injustice
subjective / emotional objective / intellectual
everyday / local cosmic / universal
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 2
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
glory to God glory for humanityjustice for oppressedjustice for oppressor acceptance of injustice
subjective / emotional objective / intellectual
everyday / local cosmic / universal
Israel relativized Israel prioritized
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 2
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
glory to God glory for humanityjustice for oppressedjustice for oppressor acceptance of injustice
subjective / emotional objective / intellectual
everyday / local cosmic / universal
Israel relativized Israel prioritized
romantic / desire militant / duty
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 2
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Could it be we have multiple
blind spots ?
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“We must start with the basic fact that there is no such thing as a pure gospel if by that is meant something which is not embodied in a culture. … Every interpretation of the gospel is embodied in some cultural form.”
–Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, p.144
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Let’s look at an example of a gospel presentation which is embodied in the cultural form of Western American
evangelicalism:
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The Four Spiritual Laws © CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ).
Taken from http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm
Let’s look at an example of a gospel presentation which is embodied in the cultural form of Western American
evangelicalism:
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Four Spiritual Laws
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Four Spiritual Laws
propositionalnarrative
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Four Spiritual Laws
propositionalnarrative
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Four Spiritual Laws
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Four Spiritual Laws
legalregal
justice for oppressed /
justice to oppressor
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Four Spiritual Laws
legalregal
justice for oppressed /
justice to oppressor
acceptanceof injustice
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Four Spiritual Laws
legalregal
justice for oppressed /
justice to oppressor
acceptanceof injustice
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Four Spiritual Laws
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Four Spiritual Laws
abstractconcrete
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Four Spiritual Laws
abstractconcrete
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Four Spiritual Laws
abstractconcrete
glory to God
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Four Spiritual Laws
abstractconcrete
glory forhumanity
glory to God
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Four Spiritual Laws
abstractconcrete
glory forhumanity
glory to God
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Four Spiritual Laws
abstractconcrete
glory forhumanity
glory to God
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Four Spiritual Laws
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Four Spiritual Laws
individualfamilial
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Four Spiritual Laws
individualfamilial
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Four Spiritual Laws
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Four Spiritual Laws
innocence / guilt /
honor / shame
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Four Spiritual Laws
innocence / guilt /
honor / shame
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Four Spiritual Laws
innocence / guilt /
honor / shame
assumes suffering /
vulnerability
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Four Spiritual Laws
innocence / guilt /
honor / shame
assumesstability
assumes suffering /
vulnerability
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Four Spiritual Laws
innocence / guilt /
honor / shame
assumesstability
assumes suffering /
vulnerability
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“Every interpretation of the gospel
is embodied in some cultural form.”
–Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, p.144
Again…
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Wes
tern
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Wes
tern
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Wes
tern?
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
?
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
?Are there ways to present the gospel of Jesus Christ using cultural forms and values which resonate more deeply with Majority World cultures?
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
Who will have their honor restored?
The Father’s Love
A story told by Jesus ChristLuke 15:11–32
There was a man
who had two sons. The younger son said
to his father, “Give me now the part of your property that
I am supposed to receive someday.”
Jesus Christ told many beautiful stories and parables. Perhaps this is the most famous:
What made the younger son’s demand so insulting and hurtful?
Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, Easy-To-Read Version (ERV), Copyright © 2006 by World Translation Center. Drawings Copyright © Robert H. Flores. www.bibleartbooks.com
So the father divided his wealth between
his two sons.
Not long after that, the younger son sold
his share of the property and left home
with the money. He traveled far away to another country.
Wha
t will
the s
on do
in th
e far
coun
try?
Why did the father agree to his request?
There he wasted his money living like a fool.
After he spent everything he had, there was a terrible
famine [lack of food]throughout the country.
He was hungry and needed money.
Why were his actions so bad?
So he went and got a job with one of the people
who lived there. The man sent him into the fields to feed pigs. He was so hungry that
he wanted to eat the food the pigs were eating. But no one gave him
anything.
Wha
t will
the s
on do
now?
How is he trying to stay alive?
The son realized that he had been very foolish.
He thought, “All my father’s hired
workers have plenty of food. But here I am,
almost dead because I have nothing to eat.”
Why did he finally gain humility?
“I will leave and go to my father. I will say to him:
‘Father, I have sinned against God and have
done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
But let me be like one of your hired workers.’”
Whe
n he g
ets ho
me, w
hat s
hould
his f
athe
r do?Is there a way out?
Stay here?
Go home and be a slave?
Steal the pigs?
?
So he left and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off,
What does the son think that his father will do to him?
his father saw him coming and felt sorry for him. So he ran to him and hugged and kissed him.
Wha
t are
the n
eighb
ors th
inking
?
As the neighbors were watching, how did the father protect his
son from being shamed?
It was a big shame on the father to run to his son!
The son said, “Father, I have sinned against God and have
done wrong to you. I am no longer worthy to
be called your son.”
What does the younger son need?
But the father called to his servants, “Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his
finger and good sandals on his feet.
And bring our best calf and kill it so that we can celebrate with
plenty to eat.” The father called for a big party to honor his younger son. Why?
“My son was dead, but now he is alive again!
He was lost, but now he is found!”
So they began to have a party.
The older son had been out in the field.
When he came near the house, he heard the sound
of music and dancing.The father’s party for his son would have surprised the people in the village. Why?
He would not go in to the party.
So his father went out and begged him to come in. But he said to his father, “Look, for all these years I have worked like a slave
for you. I have always done what you told me to do, and you never gave me even a young goat for a party with my friends. How did the older son insult his father?
“But then this son of yours comes home after wasting your money on prostitutes,
and you kill the best calf for him!”
His father said to him, “Oh, my son, you are always with me, and
everything I have is yours. But this was a day to be
happy and celebrate. Your brother was dead, but now
he is alive. He was lost, but now he is found.”
How
did bo
th so
ns di
shon
or th
e fat
her?
It was a big shame on the father to have to leave the party.
But he talked in a gentle way with his son.
What kind of father is he?
How
did th
e fat
her s
how
suffe
ring l
ove
to bo
th hi
s you
nger
son a
nd ol
der s
on?
v
YOUNGER SONRebellious Sinner
OLDER SONReligious Sinner
He insulted his father by rejection, He insulted his father by hating thegreed, and foolish actions. forgiveness given to his brother.
He was lost in a far-away land. Later, He was lost at home. He never left hishe returned in humility and sorrow. father, but he was full of ugly pride.
Turning from his dirty sin and shame, Thinking he had no sin and shame, he humbled himself before his father. he argued, and accused his father.
He received the father’s love; his He never knew the greatness of theshame was covered, his honor restored. father’s love and mercy.
He entered into the father’s house He stayed outside the father’s housefor the great party. during the great party.
Jesus said, “I tell you, it will be the same in heaven. There will be great joy when one sinner turns away from sin. Yes, there will be more joy than for 99 godly people who do not need to turn away from their sins.” (Luke 15:7 NIRV)
Rebellious Sinner
Religious Sinner
The father was dishonored and hurt by both sons. But because of love for both sons, the father suffered shame to heal his relationship with them.
Jesus is teaching: God is like a father willing to suffer shame for us.
As humans, we ALL have sinned, insulting our glorious Creator God. And,
“When people sin, they earn what sin pays– death…” (Romans 6:23). Still, He loves us
so much, that He suffers to cover our shame and give us His honor!
How can it be, that because of love, Almighty God would suffer to cover our sin and shame and give us His righteousness and honor?
Is there a way, today, to have the honor of joining God’s great family–and know for sure the honor of entering heaven’s great party?
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way,
and the truth, and the life.
The only way to the Father is through me.’”
(John 14:6)
JESUS CHRIST was perfect, pure, holy. But He died in public at the hands of sinful men. The Bible says that Jesus was shamed, nailed to a wooden cross. After He died, His body was put in a tomb. But three days later, God raised Him from death in highest honor!
JESUS DEFEATED SIN, SHAME, DEATH. He died on the cross, suffering shame for all peoples. But in rising from death, Jesus defeated sin and shame for us. And when we believe in Jesus, following Him day by day, we can truly live in victory over sin and shame!GLORIOUS LOVE. “But Christ died for us while we were still sinners, and by this God showed how much He loves us.” (Romans 5:8)
Do you want victory over sin and shame? The honor of being a child of God?To have eternal life? Turn from your sin and follow Jesus. Pray honestly:
“Jesus, You know all the ways I have insulted the honor, love, and holiness of God. I am sorry. I deeply desire an honor that never goes away—the honor of being one of God’s children.
Jesus, I believe that because of love, You suffered to bear our sin and shame, so we could bear God’s honor and join God’s family. You invite us to join You in heaven’s great party. Oh yes,
I want to be there. I believe you rose from death to defeat sin, shame, and death. Please save me from all my sin and shame, with Your eternal life. Lord Jesus, I believe in You. Amen.”
“The Father has loved us so much! This shows how much He loved us: We are called children of God.” (1 John 3:1) “Some people did accept Him [Jesus]. They believed in Him,
and He gave them the right [honor] to become children of God.” (John 1:12) Jesus said, “Anyone who hears what I say and believes in the one who sent Me has
eternal life. They will not be judged guilty … and have entered into life.” (John 5:24) “If you openly say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that
God raised Him from death, you will be saved. … Yes, the Scriptures say, ‘Everyone who trusts in Him will not be put to shame.’” (Romans 10:9-11)
Was Jesus Christ rewarded for His suffering love— bearing the shame of humanity and conquering death? YES!“So God raised Him up to the most important place and gave Him the name
that is greater than any other name. God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus. Everyone in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth will bow. They will all confess, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord,’ and this will bring glory to God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11)
Do you have questions? Do you want to grow with others in the honor of following Jesus? Please contact:
thefatherslovebooklet.org Design: Werner Mischke © Copyright 2012 Mission ONE.
Was Jesus Christ rewarded for His suffering love— bearing the shame of humanity and conquering death? YES!“So God raised Him up to the most important place and gave Him the name
that is greater than any other name. God did this so that every person will bow down to honor the name of Jesus. Everyone in heaven, on earth,
and under the earth will bow. They will all confess, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord,’ and this will bring glory to God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9–11)
Do you have questions? Do you want to grow with others in the honor of following Jesus? Please contact:
thefatherslovebooklet.org Design: Werner Mischke © Copyright 2012 Mission ONE.
This booklet is available for purchase at thefatherslovebooklet.org
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Who will have their honor restored?
The Father’s Love
A story told by Jesus ChristLuke 15:11–32
Is this “a gospel” which better overlaps biblical truth with Majority World values—and thus has more relevance?
GOSP
EL
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Who will have their honor restored?
The Father’s Love
A story told by Jesus ChristLuke 15:11–32
Is this “a gospel” which better overlaps biblical truth with Majority World values—and thus has more relevance?
GOSP
EL
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
The Seed of the Gospel
The concept of seed, kernel and husk—and “assuming the gospel”—as applied to contextualizing the gospel is taken from Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013), 21–29.
Let’s further explore what it means to
contextualize the gospel
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“since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable,
through the living and abiding word of God; …
… And this word is the good news [gospel]that was preached to you.”
–1 Peter 1:23, 25
The faith as understood and canonized in the Western church ... was the unalloyed kernel; [on the other hand] the cultural accoutrements of the people to whom the missionaries went were the expendable husk. In the accommodation process, the kernel had to remain intact but adapted to the forms of the new culture; at the same time, these cultures had to be adapted to the “kernel.” (p. 449)
“
”
Critiques traditional view of contextualization using word picture of gospel seed—husk & kernel
David Bosch
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Kernel
Husk
The Seed of the GospelThe concept of seed, kernel and husk—and “assuming the gospel”—as applied to contextualizing the gospel is taken from Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013), 21–29.
Concepts taken from Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face:
A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Gospel
Husk embodies the gospel
Traditional view of contextualization
focuses on the husk, not on the gospel itself.
The concept of seed, kernel and husk—and “assuming the gospel”—as applied to contextualizing the gospel is taken from Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013), 21–29.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Gospel
Husk embodies the gospel
Traditional contextualization “assumes the
gospel”
The concept of seed, kernel and husk—and “assuming the gospel”—as applied to contextualizing the gospel is taken from Jackson Wu: Saving God’s Face: A Chinese Contextualization of Salvation through Honor and Shame (EMS Dissertation Series, William Carey International University Press: Pasadena, 2013), 21–29.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Husk embodies the gospel {
Gospel
Traditional contextualization
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Husk embodies the gospel {
Gospel
Traditional contextualization
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Husk embodies the gospel { Contextualize
• language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
Gospel
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Husk embodies the gospel { Contextualize
• language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
• Contextualize the husk
Gospel
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Husk embodies the gospel { Contextualize
• language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
• Contextualize the husk• But the gospel is “assumed”
Gospel
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
• Contextualize the husk
Gospel
Contextualize • language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
• Contextualize the husk
Gospel
Contextualize • language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
EXPANDED VIEW ofcontextualization
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
• Contextualize the husk
Gospel
Contextualize • language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
EXPANDED VIEW ofcontextualization
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
• Contextualize the husk
Gospel
Contextualize • language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
EXPANDED VIEW ofcontextualization
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
• Contextualize the husk
Gospel
Contextualize • language • music • clothing • food
• storying • values, i.e.
hospitality • etc.
EXPANDED VIEW ofcontextualization
• PLUS: Contextualize the kernel!
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Gospel
Let us also learn to contextualize
the gospel itself.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Gospel
Let us also learn to contextualize
the gospel itself.
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Wes
tern
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Wes
tern
GOSP
EL
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Canopy of Biblical Truth
Wes
tern
GOSP
EL
GOSP
EL
Spectrums of Biblical-Cultural values, Set 1
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
narrative / oral propositional / writtenhonor / shame guilt / innocence
kingdom / regal democratic / legalfamilial / ancestral individual / present-future
obedience / concrete knowledge / abstractmystery / both-and logical / either-or
suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability
Wes
tern?
GOSP
EL
GOSP
EL
Let us find ways to better contextualize the gospel!
Therefore…
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
PATRONAGE BODY LANGUAGE CONCEPT OF FACE CHALLENGE & RIPOSTE
IMA
GE O
F LI
MIT
ED G
OOD
N
AME /
KIN
SHIP
/ BLO
OD PURITY LOVE OF HONOR TWO SOURCES OF HONOR
AchievedHonor
AscribedHonor
L O S E
W I N
HONOR
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“The gospel is already contextualized
for honor/shamecultures.”
–Jackson Wu, as quoted in The Global Gospel, p. 278
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Free resources to learn more about honor and shame
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
30-page article: “Honor & Shame in Cross-Cultural Relationships”
© Copyright 2013 Mission ONE. Developed by Werner Mischke. http://wernermischke.org / http://mission1.org / [email protected] Page 1Available as a free download at http://wernermischke.org/resources
Nine lessons for individuals and small groups
in the dynamics of
Honor & Shame
Werner MischkeExecutive Vice PresidentDirector of Training Ministries, Mission ONE
An introduction to key concepts about honor and shame in the Bible
A B I B L E S T U D Y Inductive Bible study:“Nine-lessons for individuals and small groups in the dynamics of honor and shame”
Blog: wernermischke.org/resources
Love of honor: Aristotle: “…honor is clearly the greatest of external goods…it is honor above all else that great men claim and deserve.” Augustine: “For the glory that the Romans burned to possess…is the favorable judgment of men who think well of other men.” The ancients name love of honor and praise as their premier value. (Neyrey)
Two sources of honor: 1) Ascribed honor: granting respect to a person based upon family, kinship, name, title, government, politics. 2) Achieved honor: respect based on competition, warfare, aggression, envy, athletic competition, or “social games of push-and-shove”. (Neyrey)
Challenge and riposte: Four steps: 1) Claim of worth or value, 2) Challenge to that claim or refusal to acknowledge the claim, 3) Riposte or defense of the claim, 4) Public verdict of success awarded to either claimant or challenger. (Neyrey)
Image of limited good: “The belief that everything in the social, economic, natural universe … everything desired in life: land, wealth, respect and status, power and influence … exist in finite quantity and are in short supply.” If you gain,I lose … a “zero-sum game.” (Neyrey)
Name / kinship / blood: “In the ancient world, people are not just taken on their ‘merits.’” Honor “begins with the merits (or debits) of their lineage, the reputation of their ancestral house. Greeks and Romans receive a basic identity from their larger family: for Romans this takes the form of including the clan name in the name of each individual.” (deSilva)
Honor-status reversal: When a person, family or people have their honor status reversed. Two types. 1) End result is honor: Honor-to-shame-to-honor, or simply, shame-to-honor. 2) End result is shame: Shame-to-honor-to-shame, or simply, honor-to-shame.
Primary honor/shame dynamics in the Bible
AscribedHonor
AchievedHonor
And the winner is…
W I N L O S E
NAME
HONOR
Body parts: Feet and other dirty parts of the body represent shame. Head, face, right hand, right arm represent honor.
Cross-cultural ministry skills related to honor and shame1. READ God’s Word through the lens of honor and shame. Reading
the Bible is a cross-cultural experience. Reading the Bible through the lens of honor and shame is an attempt to know the Word of God the way the original hearers would have heard it or read it. It’s an effort to de-Westernize our reading of the Scriptures. Read one book at a time.
2. SPEAK using the Bible’s language of honor and shame, both in conversation and in prayer. Talk with others together about what you’re learning. Become comfortable using words like honor and glory relative to our own relationship with Christ. Pray Scripture. Pray together using the honor/shame words found in God’s Word.
3. WALK your own authentic path of shame to honor—in the light of Christ. Discovering the honor of who we are in Jesus Christ has two parts. a. Be vulnerable and real about your own shame—the shame dynamics of our own lives
—whether as agents or victims of sin—and letting the work and Person of Christ deal with that. Personal prayer times and trusting small groups are healthy places for vulnerability.
b. Explore the honor of who we are in Christ. See yourself and your church family as a part of the story and drama of the honor-status reversal of Jesus Christ. Pray together with others about overcoming shame and experiencing honor—in relation to Jesus Christ. This sense of honor may be experienced both individually with the Lord, and in community with the Lord, that is, together in the love and ministry of the Body of Christ, the church.
Sources: Jerome H. Neyrey: Honor and Shame in the Gospel of Matthew (Louisville: Westminster Press, 1998), David A. deSilva: Honor, Patronage, Kinship & Purity: Unlocking New Testament Culture (Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 2000)
READ
SPEAK WALK
Together
Reading your Bible through the lens of honor and shame1. Recognize honor/shame dynamics: In the “universe” or spectrum of words and
dynamics of honor and shame, circle the words in black in your Bible as you read.
2. Recognize all conflicts as honor competition. From sibling rivalries to deadly wars—remember it is fueled by “challenge and riposte” (the ubiquitous honor-shame “game”) and the “image of limited good” (win-win was conceptually impossible except as revealed by God; win-lose was the only way). Make a note in your Bible.
3. Identify examples of honor-status reversal. Underline or circle these verses with a yellow colored pencil. This can range from individual verses to long stories.
4. Observe words and ideas relative to salvation (in Old Testament and New) — saved, ransom, redeem, atone, propitiation, etc. Underline or circle these words in red. Observe the relationship, if any, between salvation and honor-status reversal.
5. Share and pray. Talk with others about what you’re learning. Pray biblically; use the words of Scripture. Become comfortable using words like honor and glory relative to our own relationship with Christ. Pray with others about overcoming shame and experiencing honor in relation to Jesus Christ.
Written and designed by Werner Mischke © Copyright 2012 Mission ONE. For information about training contact Mission ONE: 480-951-0900 / [email protected] / mission1.org/equip / Blog: wernermischke.org This resources is available at: wernermischke.org/resources
HONORshame
Blessing
Renown
PraiseGreat
Authority
Worthy
MightHoly
Power
Apostle
GloryWorship
MajestyKing
ThroneBeauty
RaisedOver
High
Free
Above
Pure Clean
Ambassador
Warrior
Boasting
PrideBlessBlessed
Kingdom
Fame
GlorifyGlorious
Royal
Greater
Boastful
RingRobe Reign
Awesome
HighestLifted up
Conquer
Priesthood
BrightWhite
Honored
Exalted
Approved
Crown
Overcome
Boast
ConfidenceFamily
Name
Head BloodFather
Son
Right hand Face
Inheritance
Heirs
Elder
Below
Elect Adopted
Righteous
Chosen
Beloved
Pleased
FriendInside
ChildrenOffspring
Loved
Sanctified
Pleasing
Anointed
Honorable
Respect
Dominion
Freedom
Right arm
Remembered
LifeRise
Immortal
Cursing
Mocking
DishonorSpit upon
Hidden
BlindDiseased
Unclean
Impure
AshamedDarkDefeated
DeathRejectedDespised
Smitten AfflictedDesolate
Naked
Suffered
Humiliation
CrucifiedCut offRejected
Darkness
Accursed FeetSlave
Under
Low
Fallen
Younger
AlienStranger
ImprisonedEnemy
Lesser
Reproach
BywordSick
Oppressed
Outside
Gentile
Persecuted
Least
Wretched
Cursed
Crushed
Forgotten
Captivity
Reviled
Fear
Weak
Strong
Better
Quick Reference Guide: “Read the Bible in the Language of Honor and Shame”
Quick Reference
Guide
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Key blogs
honorshame.com jacksonwu.org
wernermischke.org
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
honorshame.com jacksonwu.org
wernermischke.org
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Who will have their honor restored?
The Father’s Love
A story told by Jesus ChristLuke 15:11–32
globalgospelbook.org
thefatherslovebooklet.org
Learn moreand purchase:
© 2015 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]
Contact Werner Mischke: [email protected]
Blog: wernermischke.org Free resources to learn about
honor and shame: wernermischke.org/resources
mission1.org/equip