Commitment to incarnating the gospel in culturally relevant ways

We desire that each culture can see and receive an expression of the gospel that is true to the heart of God and unique to its culture and language.

Summary: Building on the image of the incarnation, Lingenfelter explores various cultural values and how they are expressed. He then shares some thoughts on how each value is lived out in the kingdom of God. A short questionnaire helps the reader see where they land on the continuum for each value described.
Suggestions for use: This book is excellent for provoking thoughts on how the kingdom of God meets human culture through the incarnational presence of a follower of Jesus. As such, it pushes us to think more deeply about both the kingdom of God and the surrounding culture.

Summary: Hiebert’s classic work continues to be a helpful tool for applying the wisdom of anthropology to missional endeavors. He walks through the basics of the gospel and culture, and then moves into more focused issues of communication and contextualization.
Suggestions for use: This book will be most helpful to those who have at least some experience with cross-cultural relationships and witness, and are currently engaged therein. It is not a difficult read, but does invite the reader to think deeply about things that mono-cultural people rarely have to delve into.

Even the Demons Submit Edited by Loren L. Johns and James R. Krabill

Summary: In this book deliverance ministers, psychologists, pastors, biblical scholars, missiologists, anthropologists, and people who have experienced deliverance and healing share their stories. It is a conversation about the hard and holy work of partnering with God in the battle against evil.

Global Gods by David W. Shenk

Summary: Shenk explores the basics of many of the world’s largest religious and philosophical traditions. The goal is to see how each contributes to the challenges of life in our contemporary world.
Suggestions for use: This is a helpful book for anyone working with people from another religious background. It gives good starting points for conversation about how various philosophical viewpoints, including the way of Jesus, intersects with the reality of our globalized world.

Summary: Shenk lays out twelve ways that Christians can form authentic relationships with Muslims, characterized by respect, hospitality, and candid dialogue.
Suggestion for use: A compelling resource with practical application for mission personnel, Sunday school classes, and any Christian who rubs shoulders with people of Islamic faith in their neighborhood or workplace.