Crossing Cultures with the Gospel: Anthropological Wisdom for Effective Christian Witness - Paperback

by Darrell L. Whiteman (Author), Miriam Adeney (Foreword by)

Southwestern Journal of Theology 2023 Book Award (Honorable Mention, Evangelism/Missions/Global Church)

Drawing on forty years of teaching and mission experience, leading missiological anthropologist Darrell Whiteman brings a wealth of insight to bear on cross-cultural ministry.

After explaining the nature and function of culture and the importance of understanding culture for ministry, Whiteman addresses the most common challenges of ministering across cultures. He then provides practical solutions based on lived experience, helping readers develop healthy patterns so they can communicate the gospel effectively. Issues addressed include negotiating differences in worldview, the problem of nonverbal communication, understanding cultural forms and their meanings, and the challenge of overcoming culture shock.

Professors, students, and anyone ministering cross-culturally will benefit from this informed yet accessible guide. Foreword by Miriam Adeney.

Back Jacket

"Required reading for every current and future cross-cultural worker"

Drawing on decades of teaching and mission experience, leading missiologist Darrell Whiteman helps people in ministry learn how to explore and understand their social, cultural, and religious context so they can more effectively witness to people in cultures different from their own.

"Whiteman is a master teacher of cross-cultural missionaries around the world. This book summarizes his insights on incarnational mission. A fount of practical knowledge, Whiteman interweaves his own experiences with biblical insights and anthropological theories. I find great wisdom and inspiration in these pages."
--Dana L. Robert, Boston University

"This book is a magnificent tour de force, an eloquent summary of a life lived helping people imitate God's self-emptying, incarnational love as they participate in God's mission. It should be read by every missionary but also by any disciple who yearns to minister faithfully, creatively, and effectively in today's multicultural church and world."
--Stephen Bevans, SVD, Catholic Theological Union, Chicago (emeritus)

"This missiological text should be required reading for every current and future cross-cultural worker. An invaluable resource that scholars, mission practitioners, and mission educators will return to again and again."
--Sarita Gallagher Edwards, author of Christ among the Nations: Narratives of Transformation in Global Mission

"Whiteman tackles head-on the ubiquitous problem of Christians confusing their own culture with the gospel. Using his knowledge as an anthropologist and his lifetime of experience, he provides the reader with practical skills to live as an effective incarnational Christian in any setting. Whether crossing the street or the globe, this book is a must-have for anyone living as a cross-cultural witness."
--Leanne M. Dzubinski, Beeson International Center, Asbury Theological Seminary

"Darrell deftly explores key topics of culture, incarnational ministry, worldview, culture shock, and effective communication. I wholeheartedly endorse this significant book."
--Duncan Olumbe, regional director, Interserve

Author Biography

Darrell L. Whiteman (PhD, Southern Illinois University) is founder and director of Global Development, a missiological training and discipleship ministry. After missionary service in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and Central Africa, he taught for 21 years at Asbury Theological Seminary, where he also served as dean of the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism. Whiteman is a leader in the professional societies for missiologists (APM/ASM) and has served as editor of the International Bulletin of Missionary Research and Missiology. He lives in Gig Harbor, Washington.