Knowing and sharing the gospel of Christ in the language of honor and shame

© 2013 Mission ONE. Created by Werner Mischke / [email protected]

Knowing and sharing the blessing of Christ

in the language of honor and shame

ACMI Conference / Capital University / Columbus, OHMay 30–June 1, 2013

Saturday, June 1, 13

mailto:[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




http://wernermischke.org



• What does it mean to contextualize the gospel? • Where the Western blind spot comes from

concerning honor and shame• 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”• Practice describing your story in the language of

honor and shame• Where to get free resources to learn more

about honor and shame

Knowing and sharing the blessing of Christ 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



NorthAmerica

Europe

Australia & New ZealandWestern

World



Majority World


Very generalcomparison

Majority World

Western World


Very generalcomparison

Majority World

Western World

Equality Hierarchy

Individual 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



A classic Bible text on contextualization…





(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





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





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.

‘‘





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.

‘‘

’’Saturday, June 1, 13




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




http://www.amazon.com/Saving-Gods-Face-Contextualization-ebook/dp/B00CL4D7IA







Great blog:jacksonwu.org





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.





Biblical Truth

Theology







Biblical Truth

Theology



Note: The totality of Biblical truth is always greater than our theology.





Biblical Truth

Theology CulturalContext







Biblical Truth


Area 1: One’s theology is biblical and correct but a culture rejects the truth.

1







Area 2: The culture has accepted biblical categories and values (perhaps unknowingly), but which are outside of one’s theology.

Biblical Truth


1 2






Area 3: Values and beliefs are consistent with biblical truth, one’s theology and the cultural context.

Biblical Truth


1 23







Area 4: One’s theology is accepted by the cultural context, but is outside of biblical truth.

Biblical Truth


1 234







Area 5: Beliefs are part of one’s theology, but are neither biblical nor overlap with the cultural context.

Biblical Truth


1 2345







Area 6: Beliefs and values in the cultural context are neither biblical nor a part of one’s theology.

Biblical Truth


1 2345 6







Biblical Truth


1 2345 6






Biblical Truth


1 2345 6


What are some values from other cultures which might fit into Area 2 ?

• honor/shame• respect for

ancestors• narrative• orality





Biblical Truth


1 2345 6


Area 2 is where

“blind spots”occur





Example of a blind spot





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.





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





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





0

100

200

300

400



GuiltShame

References to Guilt vs. Shame in the Bible





0

100

200

300

400



GuiltShame

References to Guilt vs. Shame in the Bible

Could it be we have a

blind spot?



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








suffering / vulnerability wealth / stability












Wes

tern






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







Could it be we have multiple

blind spots?





“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





Let’s look at an example ofa gospel presentation which is embodied in the cultural form of Western American

evangelicalism:





The Four Spiritual Laws© CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ).

Taken from http://www.campuscrusade.com/fourlawseng.htm

Let’s look at an example ofa gospel presentation which is embodied in the cultural form of Western American

evangelicalism:





Four Spiritual Laws





Four Spiritual Laws

narrative





Four Spiritual Laws

propositionalnarrative





Four Spiritual Laws





Four Spiritual Laws

regal





Four Spiritual Laws

legalregal





Four Spiritual Laws

legalregal

justice for oppressed /

justice to oppressor





Four Spiritual Laws

legalregal

justice for oppressed /

justice to oppressor

acceptanceof injustice





Four Spiritual Laws



Four Spiritual Laws

concrete



Four Spiritual Laws

abstractconcrete



Four Spiritual Laws

abstractconcrete

gloryto God



Four Spiritual Laws

abstractconcrete

glory forhumanity

gloryto God



Four Spiritual Laws





Four Spiritual Laws

familial





Four Spiritual Laws

individualfamilial





Four Spiritual Laws



Four Spiritual Laws

honor /shame



Four Spiritual Laws

innocence /guilt /

honor /shame



Four Spiritual Laws

innocence /guilt /

honor /shame

assumessuffering /

vulnerability



Four Spiritual Laws

innocence /guilt /

honor /shame

assumesstability

assumessuffering /

vulnerability



“Every interpretation of the gospel

is embodied in some cultural form.”

–Lesslie Newbigin, The Gospel in a Pluralistic Society, p.144

Again…










Wes

tern











Wes

tern?











?











?Are there ways to present the gospel of Jesus Christ using cultural forms and values which resonate more deeply with Majority World cultures?





YES.


YES.Here’s an example of the gospel which is designed to resonate more deeply with many Majority World cultures.


YES.Here’s an example of the gospel which is designed to resonate more deeply with many Majority World cultures.It emphasizes story, family, and the cultural value of honor and shame.


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 !elds 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 !nally 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 o!,

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

!nger 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 !eld.

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

su!e

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 su!ered shame to heal his relationship with them.

Jesus is teaching: God is like a father willing to su!er 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 su!ers to cover our shame and give us His honor!

How can it be, that because of love, Almighty God would su!er 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, su!ering 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 su!ered 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 su!ering 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 su!ering 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 atthefatherslovebooklet.org


http://thefatherslovebooklet.org








The Father’s Love


Is this “a gospel” which better overlaps biblical truth with Majority World values—and thus has more relevance?

GOSP

EL





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





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





Gospel

Husk embodies the gospel

Traditional view of contextualization

focuses on the husk, not on the gospel itself.






Gospel

Husk embodies the gospel

Traditional contextualization “assumes the

gospel”






Husk embodies the gospel {

Gospel

Traditional contextualization





Husk embodies the gospel { Contextualize

• language• music• clothing• food

• storying• values, i.e.

hospitality• etc.

Gospel








hospitality• etc.

• Contextualize the husk

Gospel








hospitality• etc.

• Contextualize the husk• But the gospel is “assumed”

Gospel






Gospel

Contextualize• language• music• clothing• food


hospitality• etc.






Gospel



hospitality• etc.

EXPANDED VIEW ofcontextualization






Gospel



hospitality• etc.

EXPANDED VIEW ofcontextualization

• PLUS: Contextualize the kernel!





Gospel

Let us also learn to contextualize

the gospel itself.Saturday, June 1, 13









Wes

tern











Wes

tern

GOSP

EL











Wes

tern

GOSP

EL

GOSP

EL










Wes

tern?

GOSP

EL

GOSP

EL

Let us find ways to better contextualize the gospel!

C O N C L U S I O N





Can you talk about your faith in the language of honor and shame?

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right [honor, authority]

to become children of God (John 1:12 ESV)

if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. … For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in

him will not be put to shame.” (Rom 10:9-11 ESV)

“So the honor is for you who believe …” (1 Peter 2:7 ESV)

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession … (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)





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








The Father’s Love


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The Father’s Love


This booklet is available for purchase atthefatherslovebooklet.org

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Want to discuss it?You may contact Werner Mischke at

[email protected]: wernermischke.org

Free resources to learn about honor and shame: wernermischke.org/resources

The Father’s Love Booklet is available for purchase at thefatherslovebooklet.org

Werner Mischke is Executive Vice President at Mission ONE and Director of Training Ministries.

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Knowing and sharing the gospel of Christ in the language of honor and shame

Education

Transcript of Knowing and sharing the gospel of Christ in the language of honor and shame