Cultural Context Matters
One of the more powerful aspects of online evangelism is that it offers easy access to conversations with people from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds worldwide. This global reach means we often encounter individuals hearing about Jesus for the first time. Others may have misguided ideas about who Jesus is and what the Bible teaches.
It’s crucial to appreciate how someone’s cultural understanding of Jesus and sin will affect their reception of the Gospel. Simple questions about a person’s beliefs and understanding can be critical in establishing a connection. When we grasp a seeker’s background and culture, we can present the Gospel in ways that are more likely to resonate with them.
Some Christian anthropologists classify cultures into three different sin-response types, which can provide a useful framework for understanding diverse cultural perspectives on faith and salvation.
Guilt/Innocence cultures, common in Western societies like the United States, primarily view right and wrong based on an understanding of justice and law. In these cultures, the Gospel is most clearly understood as salvation from guilt and the penalty of sin.
Shame/Honor cultures, more often seen in Eastern societies like Japan, value relationships and understand right and wrong based on what grants honor (both to self and family/community) and avoids shame. Here, the Gospel is most clearly understood as salvation from shame and how God grants an honorable position as a son or daughter of the Most High.
Fear/Power cultures, prevalent in tribal societies worldwide, see life as a struggle for spiritual power to attain what they need. What is right is determined by what the individual god or spirit demands from someone to gain favor. In these cultures, the Gospel is most clearly understood as salvation from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of a sovereign and good God who is more powerful than all other spirits.
While the core message of the Gospel remains the same, how we present it may differ depending on the seeker’s background and culture. We must recognize that the language and metaphors we’ve grown comfortable with may not resonate with someone from another culture. It’s essential to choose simple words that capture the essence of the Gospel and that connect with the audience. We must always trust the Holy Spirit to guide and lead each conversation to a place of understanding and transformation for the seeker. By remaining mindful of cultural differences and adapting our approach accordingly, we can more effectively share the message of Jesus with people from all backgrounds and corners of the globe.
