Missionary Anthropology

1. Missionary Anthropology Culture & Missions

2. Culture • Culture defined: • Culture is the integrated system of learned patterns of ideas, values, behavior, and products characteristic of a society. • “Kultur” – early 19th century German usage • E. B. Tylor pioneer anthropologist borrowed in 1871 to designate “the total nonbiologically transmitted heritage of man” • Considered one of the most important contributions of anthropology to the missionary endeavor (Luzbetak 1963, 59).

3. Culture • Elements of Definition of Culture • Integrated • Learned • Ideas • Values • Behavior • Products • Society

4. Culture • Cultural Diversity • Language • Physical items • Life style • Relationship with others • Values • Gestures • Personal space

5. Cultural Perspective • Cultural Perspectives • 1.We tend to view other cultures from our home culture perspective. • a)Western - technology and economic strength (thing or task oriented) • b)African - social cohesion in tribe and clan (people oriented) • 2.Every culture has it good and evil aspects. • a)Africa - one God but distant with personal spiritual beings in between. God is not personally involved in the world. • b)U.S. - the world is basically viewed materialistic with little or no spiritual influence but controlled by the laws of nature. • c)We bring the Christian perspective. • d)God is the ultimate judge.

6. Cultural Adaptation Cultural Adaptation • 1.Enculturation - is the process by which a child learns to be a functioning member of its home culture. • 2.Acculturation - is the process by which and adult acquires the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values, and behaviors to function within a new culture. • 3.Culture Jolts - experiencing cultural differences which one adapts to after an initial experience of newness and uncomfortableness. • 4.Culture shock - experiencing cultural differences but not being able to adapt and live in harmony with the differences. • 5. Reverse culture shock

7. Cultural Adaptation Process of Cultural Adaptation (Kalervo Oberg 1960:177-182) • Tourist Stage – find culture fascinating • Disenchantment – foreignness and complexities become clear, critical of it • Resolution – learning the culture and begin to identify with people, see good and bad • Adjustment – learn to function well and feel comfortable in the culture

8. Stages of Cultural Adaptation Stages One of Missionary Acculturation • a)The idealized stage (glamour, honeymoon, or facination) • (1)Everything is new and neat. • (2)Everything is seen as ideal and greater than it really is. • (3)Receiving information via translation to fit ones own thought forms. • (4)Early stage of exciting adventure.

9. Stages of Cultural Adaptation Stage Two of Missionary Acculturation • b)Critical stage (rejection or fear stage) • (1)High anxiety due to growing awareness of cultural diversity cultural conflicts. • (2)Difficulty of language learning bears down. • (3)Awareness of being in a foreign environment with less control than in one's home culture. • (4)Begin to idealize home culture. • (5)Ways of coping. • (a)Going home • (b)Withdrawal (psycological and physical) • (c)Going native • (d)Adapting (see the culture in a realistic light)

10. Stages of Cultural Adaptation Stage Three of Missionary Acculturation • c)Identification stage • (1)Sees culture as their home with its strengths and weaknesses. • (2)Interpersonal identification takes place. • (a)Missionary must know themselves. • (b)Must know the people and their language. • (c)Missionaries must be coworkers with the people. • (d)Missionaries must practice reciprocity. • (e)Missionaries must love the people. • (f)Missionaries must be culturally appropriate under God.

11. Evangelism & Cultural Distance Four Levels of Cultural Distance • E-0 – is Christians teaching nominal Christians who attend their churches but have not made Christ their Lord • E-1 – is where evangelism occurs among people of highly similar cultures in the same language • E-2 – is evangelism among people in similar cultures but with differing languages • E-3 – is evangelism among distinctively different cultures and languages

12. Evangelism & Cultural Distance Bridging - being able to bridge cultural barriers to effectively communicate the gospel

13. Evangelism & Cultural Distance Problems with just supporting nationals so as not to have to bridge cultural barriers. • Often times support ends up supporting local preachers not church planters. They are simply E-0 or E-1 evangelists. • We often do not know how the money is being used and are susceptible to exaggerated claims. • The greatest problem is that we use it as an excuse not to go or to send our son and daughters. • There are some difficulties with people reaching their own culture. • Tribalism, ethnic fighting, and clan animosity hinder evangelism from a national.

14. Incarnational & Identificational Missions • Identificational – is an empathy between communicants involving a compassionate, interpersonal, reciprocal sharing of feelings and ideas. • It is purposeful participation in the lives of others • Qualities of incarnational missions: • Compassion • Interpersonal • Reciprocal sharing of feelings • Participation in people’s lives

15. Incarnational & Identificational Missions • Outer Identification – is a missionary appearing to being like the people but inside he is very distant. • Inner Identification – involves the missionary’s attitudes, his understanding of, and empathy with the people to whom he is ministering. • Jesus, an example who practiced both • Extractionism – is when a missionary pulls people out of their home culture into the missionary’s surroundings and arena of comfort

16. Incarnational & Identificational Missions

17. Incarnational & Identificational Missions • PROBLEMS WITH EXTRACTIONISM • Assumes all people are the same • Seldom takes into account ethnic, sociological, and economic realities • Often create churches and institutions dependent on outside support and leadership • Secularize the non-Western societies (converted them to the west not God) • Requires a high degree of indoctrination with a long period of dependence on the missionary because the nationals are placed in a foreign frame of reference. • Do not empathize with the people and the problems they face • Spend a minimum of time out among the people • Look down on the people (lack of education, cleanliness different, personal space)

18. Incarnational & Identificational Missions • Positives of Identificationalism • Assumes all people are different • Takes into account the elements of society that divide people. • Strive to develop churches and institutions that become independent from the missionary but dependent on God • Do not import Western styles, thought forms, and teaching • Teaches them to learn to interpret scripture and apply it within their culture and daily frame of reference. • Show compassion and empathizes with their daily struggles - rapport. • Spend a great deal of time out among the people. • Show mutual respect, sharing, and giving (Eph. 4:32; Rom. 12:10, 15-16; Col. 3:13)

19. Incarnational & Identificational Missions • Shewmaker’s Identificational Traits • Language learning • Appreciation for cultural values’ • Understanding felt needs and aspirations • Evaluate cultural traits in context • Willingness to be known • Establish one-on-one relationships • Focus on people instead of programs • Exchange home visits • Adjust standard of living to local conditions

20. Incarnational & Identificational Missions • Shewmaker’s Identificational Barriers • Ethnocentrism – belief that one’s own pattern of behavior (or ethnic group) is best, most natural, most correct, or most important. • Withdrawal and isolation • Cultural overhang – using methods of own culture • Ridiculing spiritual phenomena