Over the last few months, I have been slowly starting my World Race prep. In addition to gear and funds, God has led me to focus on preparing myself spiritually for the race. Two books are on my World Race to do list before leaving: Misreading Scripture through Western Eyes and Kingdom Come. I finished Misreading Scripture through Western Eyes over Christmas break and have been praying and thinking a lot about understanding other cultures, many of which we will be living in over the next year.
The book focuses on all the cultural assumptions we make and how that affects the way we read the bible, relate to God and one another, and view topics like sin, money, time, community, and so much more. Here’s the basics of what I’m learning:
I’m American. Really American. Not just in the fast food, clothing, songs, and movies sort of way. The way my culture sees and interacts with the world is NOT the same as other cultures in some really big ways.
There were three things that really affect how I relate with the world that I think are huge when relating with other cultures. (but about 20 others as well all just from one book!)
Individual vs. Community
In general, there are two types of communities. Individualistic and Collectivistic. America is the first type. The bible often refers to and writes to people who live under the assumptions of the second type. Personally, I value things like independence, being able to take care of yourself, and having a mind of your own, or going against the crowd, making your own opinions, personal space, and not relying on others to support you. Before reading this book I never thought that those things might be selfish by other cultures. The collective community focus more on harmony and sticking with the majority when forming opinions. Example: School Uniforms vs. Personal Expression. How could personal expression ever be bad?
Time
Other cultures just don’t see time the way we do. I view time as concrete and countable. Church starts at 11, class starts at 3. When in Tanzania I remember how there wasn’t much of a sense of time to the local people. It bothered me at certain points but I’m learning more and more that they just view it differently than we do. Church doesn’t start at 11, it starts when everyone arrives, because when everyone arrives then church can start. What time it is doesn’t matter.
Honor and Shame
The best way to explain this one is to have you read the book. But in short, anything that happens in public in collective communities is often a matter of Honoring or Shaming someone. It’s external to our internal feelings of guilt and remorse. The Pharisees asked Jesus questions publicly not to have answers but to challenge him and dishonor him. By his answers, he dishonored them. Nicodemus came to Jesus in private because he didn’t want to challenge Jesus but wanted real answers. God is teaching me that I need to be mindful of what I say and do in other cultures in order to show them honor and respect. I never would have thought that a simple question in the wrong place might bring someone dishonor in a different culture. It’s just a question after all!
There are so many things I don’t know and don’t understand. But I look forward to all the different things I will learn and see when traveling on the world race. I have a feeling that the people in the world have much more to teach me then I will ever be able to bring them. About faith, life, and community. Lord remind me to serve and to love, as well as to listen and to learn.
If you have any questions at all or want to talk more about the books I’m reading or anything at all give me a call or email! There’s soooooooo much more than I can post in a blog. I’d love to hear from you! Thank You all for your prayers and support!
605-951-2751
