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Gospel and cross cultural communication

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MLA citation style

Nicholls, B. Gospel and Cross Cultural Communication. Sydney Missionary and Bible College. 1978. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://images.quartexcollections.com/moore/thumbnails/preview/5a397374-7347-41ef-b8aa-fb7909ae211b.

APA citation style

Nicholls, B. (1978). Gospel and cross cultural communication. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://images.quartexcollections.com/moore/thumbnails/preview/5a397374-7347-41ef-b8aa-fb7909ae211b.

Chicago citation style

Nicholls, B. Gospel and Cross Cultural Communication. Sydney Missionary and Bible College. 1978. Retrieved from the Atla Digital Library, https://images.quartexcollections.com/moore/thumbnails/preview/5a397374-7347-41ef-b8aa-fb7909ae211b.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

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  • Nicholls discusses the cross-cultural communication of the gospel within and across contemporary societies, highlighting the importance of culture in this task. He notes that history plays a key role in understanding the gospel. God’s saving acts took place within history, and the historical basis of the gospel is essential. At the centre stands the Resurrection, the decisive historical event in which God intervened and acted. The way we view the gospel is shaped by our cultural framework and worldview. In the Old Testament, salvation was grounded in the central historical redemptive event of the Exodus. Christianity, likewise, must be assessed as a historical faith. Howell defines culture as consisting of three components: i) the totality of lifestyle, ii) a religious obsession or belief, and iii) learned rather than inherited behaviour. Nicholls then turns to a biblical understanding of culture, shaped by: i) humanity created in the image of God, ii) humanity as fallen, and iii) the sovereign providence and grace of the Creator God. In every culture to which the gospel is taken, aspects of truth and beauty can be identified and employed in Christian mission. Yet, because of the Fall, all societies have been corrupted by sin. No part of culture is exempt, and the fundamental expression of sin is idolatry. Nicholls identifies four levels of culture: i) ideology and worldview, ii) moral and aesthetic values, iii) institutions, and iv) outward manifestations of the individual. For the converted person, the gospel transforms every level of interaction with society.
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  • In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted. This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. In addition, no permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). https://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/