The document provides an overview of a seminar on understanding honor and shame in cultures. It explains that honor and shame are core values in many majority world cultures and discusses several cultural features associated with honor-shame orientations, such as collectivism, indirect communication, and event orientation. It also notes that viewing these cultures through a Western justice-guilt lens can lead to negative interpretations of the same cultural practices. The goal is to help Christian workers develop a practical missiology that appropriately connects cultural longings for honor with God's provision of honor.

1. HonorShame Seminar
A Practical Missiology for Christian Workers
HonorShame

2. INTRODUCTION
HonorShame

3. How do you get from China to Iran?
Good maps help us understand and navigate terrains.
We need the right map to navigate HonorShame cultures.
HonorShame

4. “If all you have is a
hammer…”
The tools we use must account for the context.
Our theology and missiology must consider HonorShame.
HonorShame

5. The goal of this presentation is to…
CULTURE
(1) explain honor & shame
dynamics in cultures…
SCRIPTURE
(2) then examine the biblical
teaching of honor & shame,
so that…
HonorShame

6. A RELATIONAL MINISTRY
CULTURE
SCRIPTURE
…(3) we can construct a relational ministry that appropriately connects
cultural longings for honor with God‘s provision of honor.
HonorShame

7. For additional tools and resources,
subscribe to the HonorShame blog.
HonorShame

8. CULTURE
How can we understand Honor and Shame in other cultures?
HonorShame

9. GUILT
SHAME
Moral emotions that ensure „normal‟ behavior in various cultures
• Individualistic, Western
• Corporate, Majority World
• From (written) rules & laws
• From expectations, social roles
• Introspective conscience
• Community gossip
• Affects transgressor
• Affects the entire group
• Confess, apologize
• Hide, flee, attack
• ―I made a mistake‖ (action)
• ―I am a mistake‖ (being)
• Solution: repayment,
• Solution: grace, acceptance,
forgiveness
reincorporation
HonorShame

10. God saves us from
shame & guilt
(Ps 31 & 32)
HonorShame

11. Salvation from Shame: Psalm 31:11-18
11 Because
of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors
and an object of dread to my closest friends—
those who see me on the street flee from me.
12 I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I have become like broken pottery.
13 For I hear many whispering, ―Terror on every side!‖
They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
I trust in you, LORD; I say, ―You are my God.‖
15 My times are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
17 Let me not be put to shame, LORD, for I have cried out to you;
but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.
14 But
HonorShame

12. Salvation from Guilt: Psalm 32:1-2, 5
1 Blessed
is the one whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed
is the one whose sin the LORD does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit…
5 Then
I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, ―I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.‖
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
HonorShame

13. 3 responses to sin
“We have to reckon with three different types of reactions to transgressions of
religiously sanctioned codes: fear, shame, and guilt.” Eugene Nida, Customs and Cultures
Guilt
Fear
Shame
Solution:
Innocence
Power
Honor
Reconciliation w/:
Conscience
spirits
Community
God is:
Judge
Warrior
Father
Key Metaphor:
Legal (courtroom)
Military (battlefield)
Social (family)
Ministry:
Truth-encounter
Power-encounter
Communityencounter
HonorShame

14. shame
No culture is entirely one
orientation. Their cultural
values can be mapped
based on the strength of
sin-response.
U
K
US
guilt
fear
HonorShame

15. each cultural orientation roughly corresponds
to a particular region in the world
WEST
(guilt-justice)
SOUTH
(fear-power)
EAST
(shame-honor)
© Copyright Sasi Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman
(University of Michigan)
HonorShame

16. Certain global realities assign significance to a
Christian missiology for HonorShame contexts
EAST
(shame-honor)
© Copyright Sasi Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman
(University of Michigan)
HonorShame

17. total children in HonorShame cultures
(indicating current and future population)
© Copyright Sasi Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman (University of Michigan)
HonorShame

18. abject poverty in HonorShame contexts
(where people earning $1/day live)
© Copyright Sasi Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman (University of Michigan)
HonorShame

19. unreached nations = HonorShame nations
© Copyright Sasi Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman (University of Michigan)
HonorShame

20. Theological framework
WEST
(Augustinian/Protestant)
EAST
(??/undeveloped)
SOUTH
(Charismatic/Pentecostal)
© Copyright Sasi Group (University of Sheffield) and Mark Newman
(University of Michigan)
HonorShame

21. Global Realities
Most of the world‘s population, poor, and
unreached orient their lives and culture
around honor and shame,
yet Christian theology and missiology have
largely neglected honor and shame.
HonorShame

22. What is Honor & Shame?
Because they are abstract social concepts,
honor and shame are hard to explicitly describe.
How would you define honor and shame?
HonorShame

23. Honor = ‗acknowledgement of worth‘
Someone considers themself worthy of honor,
then others acknowledge their claim to honor.
synonyms: value, respect, status, prestige, reputation,
dignity, face
OT kavod – ―weight‖
NT time – “price, value‖
HonorShame

24. Shame is a ‗negative public rating.‘ Shame is when
others think back of you, and means disgrace,
disconnection, and rejection.
Eve, by Auguste Rodin (1881)
HonorShame

25. You have made us the taunt of our neighbors,
the derision and scorn of those around us.
You have made us a byword among the nations,
a laughingstock among the peoples.
All day long my disgrace is before me,
and shame has covered my face.
-Psalm 44:13-15
HonorShame

26. The good and bad of shame
• Good shame (aka, ‗discretionary‘ shame) refers to an
appropriate sense of modesty, or concern with social
norms. A person without good shame is deemed
‗shameless,‘ which is even worse than being
‗shameful.‘
• Bad shame (aka, ‗disgrace‘ shame) causes disgust
and shamefulness. Bad shame erodes human worth
and distances people from the community.
HonorShame

27. Causes of Honor & Shame
3 causes of honor and shame,
Illustrated in the Prodigal Son (Lk 15)
HonorShame

28. Causes of Honor & Shame
#1 – Faithfulness/ loyalty
•
social roles – fulfilling relational expectations
•
name – considering family reputation
HonorShame

29. How was the prodigal unfaithful to social roles and family name?
―There was a man who had two sons. And the
younger of them said to his father, ‗Father,
give me the share of the property that is
coming to me.‘ And he divided his property
between them. Not many days later, the
younger son gathered all he had and took a
journey into a far country.‖
HonorShame

30. Causes of Honor & Shame
#2 – Purity (the right thing, in the right place)
•
body – the body is the vessel of honor
•
clothing – apparel communicates status
HonorShame

31. How was prodigal defiled through his body and clothing?
―And there, he squandered his property in reckless
living. And when he had spent everything, a severe
famine arouse in that country, and he began to be
in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of
the citizens of that country, who sent him to be fed
with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave
him anything.‖
HonorShame

32. Causes of Honor & Shame
#3 – Strength/Power
•
aggression – using physical violence & verbal jousting
•
benefaction – using goods to acquire loyalty and honor
HonorShame

33. verbal jousting (Lk 13:10-17)
In HonorShame societies, men verbally joust in public to acquire honor. These
competitions commonly follow this 4-step pattern. Most of Jesus interactions
with the Pharisees are exhibitions of verbal jousting for honor.
Claim to honor
10 On
a Sabbath Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues, 11 and a
woman was there who had been crippled by a spirit for eighteen years. She
was bent over and could not straighten up at all. 12 When Jesus saw her, he
called her forward and said to her, ―Woman, you are set free from your
infirmity.‖ 13 Then he put his hands on her, and immediately she straightened
up and praised God.
Challenge of the
honor claim
14 Indignant
Riposte – quick
verbal response
15 The
Public verdict
17 When
because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue
leader said to the people, ―There are six days for work. So come and be
healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.‖
Lord answered him, ―You hypocrites! Doesn‘t each of you on the
Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it
water? 16 Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom
Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath
day from what bound her?‖
he said this, all his opponents were humiliated, but the people were
delighted with all the wonderful things he was doing.
HonorShame

34. Causes of Honor & Shame
#3 – Strength/Power
•
aggression -physical violence & verbal jousting
•
benefaction – gifting materials goods for relationships
HonorShame

35. How did the prodigal fail to portray strength?
―But when he came to himself, he said, ‗How many of
my father‘s hired servants have more than enough
bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and
go to my father, and I will say to him, ―Father, I have
sinned against heaven and before you. I am no
longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one
of your hired servants.‖
HonorShame

36. Causes of Honor & Shame (summary)
unfaithfulness
impurity
 SHAME 
rejection
weakness
exclusion
_______________________________________
faithfulness
purity
strength
 HONOR
acceptance
inclusion
HonorShame

37. Cultural Associations
What cultural features do you associate
with HonorShame cultures?
HonorShame

38. The following images are from East Meets
West, by Yang Liu, a Chinese artist raised
in Germany. They illustrate features of
HonorShame cultures.
Click here for more.
HonorShame

39. collectivism
Western identity is rooted in the accomplishments of the
individual. Personal rights and freedom of choice are
strong cultural values. Majority World cultures are grouporiented. Because identity and security come from the
group, people earnestly avoid negative group opinion‘s
(shame).
HonorShame

40. collectivism
“I think, therefore I am.”
“We are, therefore I am.”
Western identity is rooted in the accomplishments of the
individual. Personal rights and freedom of choice are
strong cultural values. Majority World cultures are grouporiented. Because identity and security come from the
group, people earnestly avoid negative group opinion‘s
(shame).
HonorShame

41. patronage
Patronage is the predominant economic model for acquiring goods and
resources in HonorShame societies. In patronage, a rich person
provides material resources for the client‘s loyalty and praise.
Consequently, those ‗big people‘ are granted unique powers and
freedoms. In Western market economies where goods are purchased,
the accumulation of honor through strategic gifting suggests corruption.
HonorShame

42. indirect communication
In Eastern cultures, communication is a dance (―don‘t step on toes!), not
a download (―give me the information asap!‖). People talk to manage
social relationships, not exchange information. For this reason, great
caution is taken to not rudely affront other people. By rephrasing words
and speaking indirectly, they are actually being true to the relationship
(i.e., loyal to people‘s honor).
HonorShame

43. event orientation
People use time to confer honor. The event doesn‘t start at 4 p.m., but
when everyone gets there. Identity is defined by the people we gather with,
not the tasks we accomplish. So, to start without someone would be
excluding them from the group – a shameful insult. When time is an
instrument of honor, the most important typically arrive last.
HonorShame

44. drinks
Cultural values even play a role in choice of drinks. For example, the
teapot is shared by the group, with the flavor selected by the eldest
person. As a symbol of honor, the youngest person (or host) serves the
oldest. At Western meals, everybody orders their own drink based on
personal preferences (i.e. Coke freestyle machine), honor or community
play little role.
HonorShame

45. HonorShame are the core values undergirding many of the
features of Majority World cultures. HonorShame is the plate
holding everything up, the hub uniting the wheel.
indirect communication
reciprocity/gifting
event orientation
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
HonorShame
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

46. But when Westerners use Justice-Guilt values to understand aspects of
HonorShame cultures, the same events are negatively interpreted.
Click forward to see how Justice-Guilt interprets each cultural feature.
indirect communication
reciprocity/gifting
event orientation
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

47. Cultural Associations
indirect communication
reciprocity/gifting
event orientation
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

48. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
reciprocity/gifting
event orientation
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

49. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
event orientation
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

50. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

51. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
orality
gender roles
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

52. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
gender roles
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

53. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
feasting
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

54. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

55. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

56. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
appearances
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

57. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
appearances
nepotism/corruption
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

58. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
appearances
nepotism/corruption
group pressure
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

59. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
appearances
nepotism/corruption
group pressure
inequality/oppression
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

60. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
appearances
nepotism/corruption
group pressure
inequality/oppression
irrational
past orientation
HonorShame

61. Cultural Associations
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
appearances
nepotism/corruption
group pressure
inequality/oppression
irrational
tradition bound
HonorShame

62. What happens to our relationships and ministry
when we describe others like this?
lying/deception
bribery
unpunctual
pharisaism
illiteracy
sexism
ostentation
Justice Guilt
obligation
appearances
nepotism/corruption
group pressure
inequality/oppression
irrational
tradition bound
HonorShame

63. Cultural Associations
indirect communication
reciprocity/gifting
event orientation
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
HonorShame
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

64. Cultural Associations
indirect communication
reciprocity/gifting
event orientation
purity
orality
gender roles
feasting
YOU
hospitality
face
patronage/client
group orientation
high power distance/hierarchy
holistic reasoning
past orientation
HonorShame

65. Evaluation of HonorShame Cultures
(?)Unknown  (+)Positive  (-) Negative
But, we can choose the next phase.
?
negative
EVALUATION
positive
+
Typically, Christian workers‘ affective evaluation of
HonorShame cultural values evolves with time.
_
TIME (spent in HonorShame cultures)
HonorShame

66. Evaluation of HonorShame Cultures
(-/-) CRITICAL – A rejection of HonorShame
aspects; everything is viewed negatively.
+/-
?
negative
EVALUATION
positive
+
(+/-) BALANCED – A nuanced acceptance of
honor and shame as both good and bad, as
revealed in scripture.
_
-/ TIME (spent in HonorShame cultures)
HonorShame

67. Summary of Culture Section
•
•
•
•
•
Guilt vrs. Shame
Shame, guilt, and fear
Meaning of honor and shame
Sources of honor and shame
Cultural associations & personal evaluation
HonorShame

68. SCRIPTURE
What does the Bible teach about Honor and Shame?
HonorShame

69. Two models of salvation
Timothy Laniak proposes
two models of salvation for
interpreting biblical narratives:
•guilt-innocence
•shame-honor
HonorShame

70. Guilt-Innocence Salvation
innocence
transgression
guilt
HonorShame

71. Guilt-Innocence Salvation
forgiveness
innocence
transgression
guilt
HonorShame

72. Shame-Honor Salvation
status
threat
shame
HonorShame

73. Shame-Honor Salvation
honor
status
threat
shame
HonorShame

74. Shame-Honor Salvation:
The example of Ruth
William Blake, 1795
HonorShame

75. Shame-Honor Salvation:
The example of Ruth
HONOR
redemption, husband, son,
land restored, line of David
STATUS
married,
w/ 2 sons
THREAT
widowed
in Moab
SHAME
no descendant or land,
cut off from Israel
HonorShame

76. Shame-Honor Salvation
People who God saved from the threat of shame
to higher-than-before position of honor:
• Adam (Gen 1-2)
• Abraham (Gen 12:1-3)
• Isaac
• Jacob
• Leah
• Joseph (Gen 37-41)
• Moses (Ex 2-4)
• Nation of Israel (Deut 6-7)
• Hannah (1 Sam 2)
• David (1 Sam 17; 2 Sam 7)
• Mephibosheth (2 Sam 9)
• Ruth
• Esther, Mordecai, and Jews (Esther)
• Job (Job 1, 2, 42)
• Daniel and friends ( Dan 1-6)
• Cornelius (Acts 10)
• Jesus (Phil 2, Rev 5)
HonorShame

77. Salvation in the Gospels
Carl Bloch, 1871
HonorShame

78. Salvation in the Gospels
Jesus’ ministry saved people from shame and blessed
them with honor. Via association with Jesus, sinners
could gain a news status as God’s special people.
• Jesus’ healings saved people from social stigmatization, as
well as physical ailments.
60 MINUTES: ―Mercy Ships‘ Doctors Heal Shame‖ (3 min video). WATCH NOW!
• Jesus’ table fellowship with outcasts conferred honor upon
them, which threatened the falsely honored Pharisees.
• Jesus’ teachings overturns cultural notions of honor, and
replaces them with God‘s code of honor.
HonorShame

79. Metaphors of Salvation
A primary way NT authors communicate salvation is
through metaphors.
Metaphors use ideas from ordinary life to
communicate how God transposes believer‘s
spiritual status from shame to honor.
Can you think of 3 metaphors/images of status
reversal in the Bible? (The next slide has 30!)
HonorShame

80. Click here for hi-res jpeg
HonorShame

81. OT Verses on HonorShame
Joel 2:26-27
And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in
the midst of Israel, and that I, the Lord, am your God and there is no other.
And my people shall never again be put to shame.
1 Samuel 2:30
The Lord declares: ‗Far be it from me; for those who honor me I will honor, and
those who despise me shall be treated with contempt.‘
Isaiah 54:4
Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not
suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace
of your widowhood you will remember no more.
Psalm 62:7
My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
HonorShame

82. NT Verses on HonorShame
John 12:42-43
Nevertheless many, even of the authorities, believed in him (Jesusu). But because of the Pharisees
they did not confess it, for fear that they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human
glory more than the glory that comes from God.
Romans 10:11-12
The scripture says, ―No one who believes in him will be put to shame.‖ For there is no distinction
between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.
Philippians 2:5-11
(Jesus) emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in
human form, he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a
cross. Therefore God also highly exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name.
1 Peter 2:6-10
…whoever believes in him (Jesus) will not be put to shame, but honor to those who believe; …. But
you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God‘s own people, in order that you may
proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you
were not a people, but now you are God‘s people;
HonorShame

83. SIN & SHAME: The Theological Connection
1.
sin = shame Sin dishonors God and devalues His name. For
example, David‘s murder of Uriah ―utterly scorned the LORD.‖ Sin
shames.
2.
sin  shame Upon sinning, we feel sentiments of shame and
disgrace before God and others. Humans feel unworthy and
disconnected, so seek to hide. Sin creates shame.
3.
sin  shame When a person feels shame, they resort to sinful
tactics to cover their shame or restore their honor (i.e., violence,
abuse, suicide). Shame produces more sin.
HonorShame

84. Summary of Scripture Section
•
•
•
•
•
•
Two models of salvation
Shame-Honor salvation
Salvation in the Gospels
Metaphors of Salvation
OT & NT verses on HonorShame
Sin & Shame
HonorShame

85. RELATIONSHIPS
How can does HonorShame inform our relationship?
HonorShame

86. INTRODUCTION
As we understand HonorShame dynamics, we must
consider their role in our relationships and ministry.
How can we build better, more honoring, relationships with
people from an HonorShame culture?
These will not ensure ministry ‗success‘, but help you
avoid unnecessary friction and frustration.
HonorShame

87. #1 – Banish Shame
All people deal with shame, including Western Christians.
Shame is not a uniquely Asian or Arab issue, but a human
issue. We must seek God‘s salvation for our own shame,
before helping others.
Even ministry can be a source of shame (i.e., Moses, Ex 4)
or badge false honor (i.e., Saul of Tarsus persecuting).
How do you struggle with shame? What do you hide from
people? Why do you feel unworthy before God?
HonorShame

88. #1 – Banish Shame
To better understand the forces of shame in American culture,
WATCH: ―Listening to Shame‖ - a TED talk by Brene Brown,
secular shame researcher. If time is limited, start at 13:00.
HonorShame

89. #2 – Give Gifts
Gifts are a primary way to secure
relationships and confer
status. HonorShame cultures are
structured around reciprocity – everybody
shares and gifts with one another. By
giving gifts, you can get in the game and
build relationships. Gifts indicate respect
and thankfulness to those who have helped
you.
HonorShame

90. #3 – Know Roles
HonorShame cultures tend to be hierarchical.
(This rubs egalitarian Westerners who insist
everyone be treated fairly.) People are
expected to play different social roles, based
on gender, age, ethnicity, and position. So,
understand what role others expect you to
play, and play the part appropriately. This
means dressing, relating, eating, and
communicating accordingly. Know your place,
play your expected role.
HonorShame

91. #4 – Don’t Expose
If you unnecessarily expose a person‘s shame or
weakness, they will feel like you are rubbing their
nose in the poop to teach them a lesson. So,
instead of demanding a verbal apology, maybe
symbolize your forgiveness by inviting that person
to a meal.
When there is sin to address, try to address the
issue without exposing the person. Consider the
relational impact of your approach, and limit
exposure. When people sense shame, they
naturally become resistant and avoid the
relationship.
HonorShame

92. #5 – Be Clean
People make snap evaluations of your value,
based on your appearance and
mannerisms. So if you disregard unspoken
purity rules, then people may disregard your
message as unworthy. I once heard a
Muslims dismiss the Christian message,
simply because ―Christians don‘t clean their
shoes.‖ Western culture focuses
on public cleanliness, but Eastern cultures
focus on personal purity.
HonorShame

93. Summary
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Banish Shame
Give Gifts
Know Roles
Don‘t Expose
Be Clean
HonorShame

94. MINISTRY
How can we minister honor to the shamed?
HonorShame

95. Evangelism
Evangelism in HonorShame contexts means presenting how
Jesus removes shame and restores honor?
For an example, watch this 4-minutes whiteboard cartoon,
―Back to God‘s Village.‖
HonorShame

96. Evangelism
Consideration of honor and shame dynamics also helps contextualize the
methods (not just content) of evangelism.
• The genre of our message can cohere with the oral and relational
aspects of HonorShame cultures.
• We should consider the collectivism of HonorShame cultures, perhaps
sharing with heads of families and being open to group conversions.
• Males typically seek to project honor; females typically want to hide
shame. Gender roles are an important consideration in presenting.
• Instead of viewing CP as ―evangelism  discipleship  community‖,
consider the strategy of ―community  discipleship  evangelism.‖
HonorShame

97. Discipleship
Discipleship is ―helping believers understand and adopt
God‘s honor of code‖, as 1 Peter models.
In 1 Peter, the Christian community was shamed and
pressured to conform to social conventions. So Peter
reminds them of the honor they already possess as
members of God‘s family and followers of the humanly
shamed but divinely honored Lord Jesus Christ.
Possessing an eternal honor from God, Christians may
ignore the threat of social shame and act in a way God
deems honorable.
HonorShame

98. Discipleship
1 Peter 2:11-12 (the letter‘s thesis statement) could be paraphrased:
To those cherished and honored by God,
I urge you as marginalized and scorned social outcasts
to refrain from cultural mechanisms to fashion your own reputation
(because that actually demeans your worth before God).
Rather, make sure your behavior among the pagans is honorable in God’s sight.
So, even though they scorn you as ‘criminals’ and spoil your reputation,
eventually they will see your truly honorable behavior and honor God
when he returns to publically declare who is honorable and shameful for eternity.
Marriage, offense, persecution, and leadership are key areas where God and
culture define honor differently. 1 Peter presents an alternative ethic for
acquiring honor in these areas.
HonorShame

99. Discipleship: Marriage
Cultural Honor Code
Divine Honor code
How do false views of honor affect marriage?
In God‘s eyes, honoring your
spouse is honorable.
Singleness indicates limited value and shame, so
singles bear downward pressure to marry.
Marriage is an alliance between families to
expand connections. Marriage is not about
personal happiness or love, but maintaining and
enhancing your family‘s reputation.
―Husbands, in the same way, show
consideration for your wives in your
life together, paying honor to the
woman.‖ (3:7)
Regarding singleness, see Isaiah
54:4-5.
In marriage, men are expected to show
dominance and control. There is social pressure
to beat a bride to display one‘s manliness,
especially before others.
HonorShame

100. Discipleship: Offense
Cultural Honor Code
Divine Honor code
Offense, unforgiveness, rivalries, and grudges
are byproducts of a pursuit of cultural honor.
In God‘s eyes, bearing insults
People can be offended over slight insults, such
as an improper greeting or invitation. Feeling
disgraced, people resort to physical aggression,
or maintain polite appearances while harboring
and bitterness until their face is restored.
―Christ suffered for you, leaving you
an example, that you should follow
in his steps…When they hurled their
insults at him, he did not retaliate;
when he suffered, he made no
threats. Instead, he entrusted
himself to him who judges justly.‖
(2:21-23)
―A murder may be forgiven, but an affront never.‖
– Chinese proverb.
patiently is honorable.
In HonorShame cultures, people rarely apologize
and ask for forgiveness, because that is a sign of
weakness.
HonorShame

101. Discipleship: Persecution
Cultural Honor Code
Persecution intends to devalue, shame, and
exclude. For example, Roman crucifixion
purposefully inflicted victims with tremendous
ridicule and public humiliation.
The flesh‘s natural response is to resist with
physical force, or passively adopt prevailing
norms to avoid public attention. The social
shame of physical persecution is to be avoided.
Christians in HonorShame contexts may hide
their faith to not bring shame upon their parents,
or avoid community scandals.
Divine Honor code
In God‘s eyes, bearing sufferings like
Christ is a badge of honor.
―But rejoice inasmuch as you
participate in the sufferings of
Christ, so that you may be overjoyed
when his glory is revealed. If you are
insulted because of the name of
Christ, you are blessed…If you suffer
as a Christian, do not be ashamed,
but praise God that you bear that
name.‖ (4:13-16)
HonorShame

102. Discipleship: Leadership
Cultural Honor Code
Power is often exploited for family gain. For
politicians, the country become a family businesswhere the golden goose is squeezed to get all the
eggs out. The authority of leadership roles is
leveraged to acquire resources, project strength,
and demand resect.
On a smaller scale (i.e., in a family, business, or
church), society expects leaders to exercise
strong control through unilateral decision making
or public scoldings. As long as leaders provide for
followers, it is assumed they will use their
leadership position for personal/family gain.
Divine Honor code
In God‘s eyes, honorable leadership
serves others.
Be shepherds of God‘s flock that is
under your care …not pursuing
dishonest gain, but eager to
serve; not lording it over those
entrusted to you, but being examples
to the flock. And when the Chief
Shepherd appears, you will receive
the crown of glory that will never fade
away. (5:1-4, cf. Mk 10:42-44)
HonorShame

103. Discipleship: Summary
The
antidote to false, cultural honor is not no honor, but eternal,
unfading honor. In the Bible, honor itself is not dismissed as bad;
God never discredits honor. Rather, God invites people to accept
the honor he gives, and to live according to that eternal honor in all
areas of life.
Where as the Gospels explain how Christ made available
shamefree/honorable status for people, the NT epistles help
believers embody that new honor. HonorShame themes lie at the
forefront of Romans, 2 Corinthians, Hebrews, 1 Peter, and
Revelation.
HonorShame

104. HONORIFICATION
Honorification is an approach to Christian mission
specifically for HonorShame contexts.
Understanding the centrality of honor and shame
in both contemporary cultures and the Bible,
honorification contextualizes Christian witness
for HonorShame contexts
by blessing the shame in all missional activities.
HonorShame

105. HONORIFICATION
•Honorification is a theological paradigm for interpreting Jesus‘ earthly ministry
– in his life, death, and resurrection, he honored the shamed.
•Honorification is a missiological strategy that continues God‘s mission of
redeeming people from shame and restoring human dignity.
•Honorification is a legitimate end of Christian mission, as we help people
obtain their eternal honor in Christ through faith.
•Honorification a strategic means of Christian mission that informs our churchplanting, professional activities, and relationships.
•Honorification arises from the convergence of human longings and divine
interests– both people and God are concerned about human honor.
HonorShame

106. HONORIFCATION
For an inspiring example of honorification, watch this mini-documentary about
handicapped modeling for manikins– ―BECAUSE WHO IS PERFECT?‖
HonorShame

107. HONORIFICATION
In your relationships and lifestyle,
how can you continue the ministry of Jesus
by infusing honor to the shamed,
though both word and deed?
HonorShame

108. MINISTRY: Summary
1. Evangelism – content and means
2. Discipleship – model of 1 Peter
3. Honorification
HonorShame

109. CONCLUSION
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112. Conclusion
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It would be an honor to serve you.
Thanks.
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113. HonorShame