Approaching the Mission of God Through Understanding Belief Systems
In the context of missional work, it is essential to understand the cultural values, worldviews, and belief systems of the people being reached. Building relational bridges across cultural differences requires not only research and analysis but also genuine engagement with individuals in their cultural context. This process goes beyond simply learning facts about a culture and demands an empathetic approach, characterized by intentional listening, participation, and ongoing dialogue. The use of ethnographic field research principles, such as participant observation and qualitative research practices, is invaluable in this endeavor. These methods allow for deeper insight into the lives of others, which is crucial for mission work that seeks to respect cultural differences while remaining faithful to the biblical message of the gospel.
The following presents five approaches for relating a biblical view of the mission of God to the process of researching, analyzing, and evaluating cultural values and belief systems in missional sociocultural settings. Each approach is grounded in ethnographic methods, and is aligned with biblical principles that ensure faithful and effective engagement across cultural boundaries.
1. Cultural Immersion through Participant Observation
Cultural immersion through participant observation is the process of engaging directly in the daily life of a community in order to understand their beliefs, values, and worldview from an insider’s perspective. Ethnographic research emphasizes being a part of the community, rather than merely studying it from a distance. This approach allows researchers and missional leaders to experience firsthand the cultural practices that define a group’s way of life. By becoming active participants in the cultural context, missionizers can learn the underlying beliefs and values that shape behaviors and practices. This approach also helps to build trust with the community, as people see that the missionizer is genuinely invested in their way of life and is not merely an outsider trying to impose foreign beliefs.
Biblical Illustration
The ultimate model of cultural immersion is found in the incarnation of Jesus Christ. In John 1:14, the Apostle John writes, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus, though divine, chose to enter fully into the human experience. This is not just about Jesus visiting humanity temporarily; He “made His dwelling” among us, meaning He lived among people, participated in their lives, experienced their joys and sorrows, and understood their struggles firsthand. Jesus’ incarnation was not a detached visit but a full participation in human culture. He ate meals with sinners, attended weddings, and engaged in conversations about the life and faith of His day. He lived in a specific time and place, speaking the language, following the cultural norms, and interacting with people as they were. This shows the profound importance of immersing oneself in another culture to truly understand it. By being present in their world, Jesus demonstrated how deeply understanding people’s cultural context is essential for conveying the message of God’s kingdom.
Applications to Everyday Life:
- Participate in local community events or activities
Jesus’ example teaches us to immerse ourselves in the communities we seek to serve, not merely observe them from afar. By joining in the daily activities of the culture, we can build authentic relationships that lead to deeper understanding. Rather than simply observing cultural practices, get involved in the day-to-day life of your community or workplace. Join local events, attend celebrations, or share meals with people from different cultural backgrounds to better understand their perspectives and values. - Volunteer in spaces where cultural exchange happens
As a believer in your own community, you can seek to understand the cultural backgrounds of those around you, participating in their local events or rituals to show care and openness. Engage in activities such as community service or cultural fairs where people from diverse backgrounds gather. By actively participating, you can build trust and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural dynamics at play.
2. Ethnographic Listening and Relational Interpretation
Description:
Ethnographic listening goes beyond hearing words; it involves deeply understanding the underlying values and meanings that people attach to their beliefs and practices. In mission contexts, it means actively listening to individuals from different cultural backgrounds and engaging with their worldview on their terms. This relational approach is key to interpreting a culture’s values and belief systems accurately. Instead of relying solely on research data or stereotypes, this method requires patience and attentiveness to personal narratives. Listening with empathy and understanding helps build meaningful relationships that open the door for a more profound discussion of the gospel and it’s implications.
Biblical Illustration
In John 4, we find Jesus engaging with a Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well, a place and moment filled with cultural and social significance. The woman is an outsider in many ways: she is a Samaritan (a group despised by the Jews), she is a woman, and she is an outcast in her own community due to her history of multiple marriages. However, Jesus takes the time to converse with her, engage her in meaningful dialogue, and address her specific situation with deep understanding. Jesus does not rush to condemn her or immediately offer theological teaching. Instead, He listens to her questions, addresses her worldview, and speaks with compassion. He speaks about water in a way that relates to her immediate context but then invites her into a deeper understanding of spiritual truth. Through this engagement, Jesus shows the value of relational listening—taking time to understand another person’s perspective before offering truth. His approach exemplifies that deep understanding must precede any form of missional proclamation.
Applications to Everyday Life:
- Listen to understand, not to respond
Jesus’ approach teaches us the importance of listening to others without rushing to judgment or offering easy solutions. We can practice this in our daily lives by taking time to listen to others’ experiences and beliefs before offering advice or corrections. In conversations with individuals from different cultural backgrounds, take time to truly listen to their stories, struggles, and perspectives. This will allow for deeper understanding and more respectful engagement. - Ask open-ended questions: When engaging with people from different cultures, focus on understanding their specific concerns and context. By genuinely listening, we demonstrate respect for their worldview and open doors for deeper conversations about faith. Encourage others to share their experiences and beliefs by asking questions that allow them to express their worldview in their own words. Avoid the temptation to assume or stereotype their responses.
3. Contextualizing the Gospel through Cultural Artifacts
Description:
Analyzing cultural artifacts such as literature, art, music, or rituals offers a window into a community’s worldview. These artifacts often reflect deeply held values and beliefs, and they can serve as tools for contextualizing the gospel. Missionizers can study these cultural elements to identify themes or symbols that resonate with biblical truths. By doing so, they can communicate the gospel in a way that connects with the culture’s preexisting ideas and practices, showing how the message of Christ aligns with, fulfills, or transforms these values.
Biblical Illustration:
In Acts 17, when the Apostle Paul arrives in Athens, he observes that the city is filled with idols. As a city steeped in philosophy and various religious traditions, Athens presents a complex cultural environment. Paul doesn’t criticize the Athenians outright; instead, he uses their cultural artifacts to find a starting point for dialogue. He notes an altar to an “unknown god” and uses this as a bridge to explain the gospel, saying, “What you worship as something unknown, I am going to proclaim to you.” Paul’s approach here is a brilliant example of contextualizing the gospel. Rather than ignoring or rejecting the Athenians’ religious symbols, he engages with them in a way that both affirms their search for meaning and reveals the truth of God’s revelation in Christ. He shows that the gospel does not dismiss human culture but rather fulfills the human search for God. Paul is able to draw from the common cultural experience of his listeners (their idols) to present a message that transcends their worldview but engages with it on a profound level.
Applications to Everyday Life:
- Explore and engage with cultural expressions
Take time to appreciate and learn about the art, music, and traditions of the people you are engaging with. Identify elements that could serve as metaphors or illustrations for the gospel. Use those as starting points to introduce deeper spiritual truths. - Present the gospel using familiar symbols
Just as Paul did in Athens, we can be mindful of cultural traditions and artifacts in our communities, acknowledging their significance before offering biblical perspectives that challenge or fulfill those beliefs. When sharing your faith, try to use symbols, stories, or cultural metaphors that resonate with the audience’s worldview, making the message more accessible and meaningful.
4. Critical Reflection through Biblical Evaluation
Description:
After gathering insights through ethnographic methods, it is crucial to reflect critically on the cultural beliefs and practices encountered. This reflection involves evaluating cultural values and belief systems through a biblical lens to avoid syncretism—blending incompatible beliefs. This approach helps ensure that the gospel message remains uncompromised while engaging meaningfully with cultural differences. It encourages missionizers to discern where cultural practices align with biblical principles and where correction may be necessary, always with grace and respect.
Biblical Illustration
In Acts 17, Paul not only engages with the cultural artifacts of Athens but also critically evaluates them through a biblical lens. As Paul walks through the city, he is “greatly distressed” by the number of idols. This emotional response indicates that Paul sees the cultural values of the Athenians, particularly their idolatry, as misaligned with the truth of the gospel. However, he does not simply condemn them without explanation. After using their altar to the “unknown god” as a point of connection, he explains that the true God cannot be contained in idols or represented by images made by human hands. He calls the Athenians to repent and turn to the living God. Paul’s engagement with the Athenian culture is a balanced combination of respect and critique. He acknowledges the search for truth present in their culture but also challenges their belief system through the lens of biblical revelation. This careful evaluation prevents Paul from syncretism, where different beliefs might be merged in a way that dilutes the gospel, and instead invites the people to see how the gospel addresses the deeper longings behind their idol worship.
Applications to Everyday Life:
- Engage in reflective self-examination
Regularly assess how cultural influences in your own life may align or conflict with biblical teachings. Be open to challenging cultural norms that contradict Scripture. - Provide respectful and thoughtful critique:
When encountering beliefs or practices that do not align with the gospel, offer constructive dialogue that gently points out discrepancies while showing love and respect. Offer a gracious critique that seeks to point people toward the truth of Christ while being sensitive to their cultural context.
5. Building Long-Term Relationships for Ongoing Dialogue
Description:
Mission work is not just about short-term interactions but about building lasting relationships that create space for ongoing dialogue and growth. This approach involves a long-term commitment to understanding and engaging with people, which enables deeper conversations about faith, life, and belief systems. By cultivating these relationships over time, missionizers are able to address misunderstandings, provide support, and guide people toward the gospel in a natural, organic way. This ongoing dialogue allows both the missionary and the local community to learn from each other, strengthening mutual respect and trust.
Biblical Illustration
Jesus’ relationship with His disciples is a profound example of long-term relational engagement. Over the course of three years, Jesus built deep, trusting relationships with the twelve, teaching them, modeling behavior, and guiding them through their doubts and failures. The depth of this relationship is evident after Jesus’ resurrection when He commissions them to go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). The command to “go and make disciples” was not based on a quick conversion but on a deep relational process, wherein the disciples would continue Jesus’ work of teaching, baptizing, and nurturing new believers. Jesus’ mission illustrates that relational discipleship is a long-term process that requires investment in people’s lives. By spending time with His disciples, answering their questions, and patiently teaching them, Jesus ensured that they were ready to carry out the mission of God. His mission was not about brief encounters, but about sustained, intentional investment in people’s lives for the long haul.
Applications to Everyday Life:
- Invest in relationships over time
Rather than focusing on quick conversions, aim to build deep, lasting relationships with people from different cultures. Engage in long-term relationships with those you wish to influence for the gospel. This might mean taking the time to mentor individuals, sharing life experiences, and building trust over time rather than seeking immediate results. Over time, these relationships will create natural opportunities for meaningful conversations about faith. - Be consistent and present
Show up in the lives of people you are engaging with, providing consistent support and care. This could be as simple as offering regular check-ins or being present during significant moments in their lives. In intercultural contexts, be patient and consistent in your engagement with others. Establishing lasting relationships will create opportunities for deeper conversations and stronger bridges for the gospel to be shared.
Conclusion
Each of these biblical illustrations—whether through the incarnation of Christ, Jesus’ engagement with the Samaritan woman, Paul’s interaction with the Athenians, or the long-term investment in relationships exemplified by Jesus with His disciples—demonstrates a powerful approach to engaging with cultures. They remind us that mission is not a one-time event, but a process that involves listening, participating, contextualizing, evaluating, and building deep relationships — wherever we are, “as we go” about our daily lives. By modeling our approach after these biblical examples, missionizers can effectively navigate cultural differences while maintaining the integrity of the gospel message. These five approaches, grounded in ethnographic research principles and biblical teachings, provide a comprehensive framework for engaging with cultural groups in missional contexts. By immersing oneself in the culture, listening relationally, contextualizing the gospel, critically evaluating beliefs, and building long-term relationships, missionizers can foster deep, transformative connections. These methods ensure that mission work is both culturally sensitive and biblically faithful, ultimately leading to the creation of authentic relational bridges across cultural differences.
Dr. Curt Watke is a distinguished missiologist whose three-plus-decade-long career has significantly impacted Christian mission work in North America, particularly in under-reached and challenging regions. Holding a Ph.D. in Evangelism and Missions, Dr. Watke has focused on bridging cultural gaps and fostering sustainable Christian communities by developing innovative strategies that address contemporary challenges like globalization, urbanization, and religious pluralism. His emphasis on cultural sensitivity and contextualization in mission work is reflected in his collaborative writings, including notable works such as “Ministry Context Exploration: Understanding North American Cultures” and “Starting Reproducing Congregations.” Beyond his writing, Dr. Watke is a sought-after speaker and educator, lecturing at seminaries and conferences worldwide, and his teachings continue to inspire and equip new generations of missional leaders. His enduring legacy is marked by unwavering dedication to the mission of God and a profound influence on missional thought and practice. Dr. Watke serves as President and Professor of Evangelism & Missiology at Missional University.
