Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book? If not, then use this online PDF of Discovering Missions to find the answers!
Word document with puzzle grid
| ACROSS | ||
| 1 | Practices that replace those that are incompatible with Christianity | |
| 5 | A word that is sometimes erroneously considered to be almost synonymous with "culture" | |
| 6 | Categories of things that are components of every culture | |
| 7 | The idea that all cultures are on a "progress" scale, moving from backward to civilized | |
| 8 | A 19th-century Englishman whose definition of "culture" remains very usable | |
| 9 | The meaning or significance which physical characteristics of an object, sound, or custom communicate within a given context | |
| 10 | The study of humanity | |
| 11 | Using one's own culture as the standard by which to judge things in other cultures | |
| 13 | How culture is communicated to young children | |
| 14 | What Bob Sjogren says makes us think of us as "us" and them as "them." | |
| 16 | Components of a culture which can bring the gospel into sharp focus for the people of that culture | |
| 17 | The disorientation experienced when people move into an unfamiliar culture and have to cope with different patterns of life | |
| DOWN | ||
| 2 | What Samuel Zwemer said missionaries often experienced who had so "wedded their hearts" to the place where they served that when they returned "home," they felt homesick for the mission field | |
| 3 | A ministry model in which one attempts to identify fully with the people who are being reached | |
| 4 | The process by which adults learn new cultures | |
| 12 | One good analogy or metaphor for culture | |
| 15 | The distinguishable characteristics of an object, sound, or custom | |
"Is it sad that I spent time in the back of the ambulance doing this? We were on our way back from a transport, and instead of filling out our report, I had fun doing the crossword puzzle. HAHA. Thanks again for this learning tool!" -- Andrew Thomas
-- Howard Culbertson,
Based on material in the book Discovering Missions by Charles Gailey and Howard Culbertson, published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (now known as The Foundry)
The interplay between culture and Christian world evangelism efforts is a complex dance of adaptation and transformation. As missionaries venture into unevangelized areas, they encounter a spectrum of beliefs, traditions, and societal norms that shape the receptivity to the Gospel message. Successful evangelism necessitates a delicate balance between respecting cultural differences and challenging ingrained practices that conflict with Christian teachings.
Cultural sensitivity is paramount. Effective evangelism requires understanding local customs and traditions so that the Gospel can be communicated and converts discipled in ways that resonate with each context. This interplay does spark debates within Christian circles about the extent to which cultural elements should be integrated into evangelistic strategies. Some advocate for contextualization, while others emphasize the preservation of doctrinal purity. Thus, navigating the intersection of culture and the Gospel demands discernment, humility, and a commitment to engaging with people where they are, all the while remaining faithful to core scriptural principles of the Christian faith.
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