Lesson 8 | What about...? Dealing with special cases
Contemporary cross-cultural issues
The final special case we will consider involves a situation not encountered in the text of Scripture but in the world. Language and communication is inherently culture-bound. So what do you do when your communication of God’s word must cross cultural barriers?
Of course this is a central issue for missionaries and Bible translators. But in our age of global business and social networking, along with increasingly diverse communities, we all would do well to think wisely about the way we communicate biblical truth.
Consider just the matter of figures of speech, which are almost entirely tied to cultural factors. All the issues we discussed earlier concerning the challenge of understanding biblical figures of speech are duplicated and magnified when communicating cross-culturally.
I’ve asked some friends who are (or have been) immersed in a culture different than my own to write a paraphrase that accurately and appropriately expresses the meaning of Psalm 69:8-13. We offer these examples to help raise your awareness of the issues and stir your interest in effectively communicating the gospel to those around you.
I have become a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my mother's sons. For zeal for your house has consumed me, and the reproaches of those who reproach you have fallen on me. When I wept and humbled my soul with fasting, it became my reproach. When I made sackcloth my clothing, I became a byword to them. I am the talk of those who sit in the gate, and the drunkards make songs about me. But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness. —Psalm 69:8-13 ESV
Small-town America paraphrase
My brothers regard me as a total stranger, they consider me to be a complete outsider. The cause: I have been overcome with a jealous passion to be in your presence, and I have become the target for the scorn of those who taunt you. With many tears I poured out my very soul in fasting, for which I was roundly mocked. I made repentance and contrition my very garments, and this only brought about more contempt from them. Here is how it has played out: I have become the talk of the town at every morning coffee clutch, and at night, I am the subject of the drinking songs in every bar. Nevertheless, whatever may be on their lips, on my lips is prayer to you, O Yahweh. Precisely when it is your pleasure to do so, O God, in the overflow of your mercy, answer me. I am counting on your sure salvation.
Modern religious Israeli paraphrase
I’ve been kicked out of my family they think of me as a Gentile Because I was passionate about your temple and those who supposedly serve you, but really hate you, now hate me, When I afflicted my soul with fasting, they took me as gullible and foolish, When I took off my fancy robes, they made a mockery of me. All the yeshivas and synagogues talk of me and also the bars are filled with songs about me But unlike their “prayers,” I actually come and speak to you, O L-rd, When the time if fulfilled, O G-d, please answer according to your great grace and saving truth.
West German small town paraphrase
I don’t have a relationship with my brothers anymore, they behave towards me as if I were a stranger. And that is because my faith to you is the most important thing for me in my life and the name-callings of those who despise you are now directed towards me. I fasted and cried when I had sorrow in my heart and because of that I was insulted. And when I was wearing black mourning clothes they made fun of me. They are gossiping about me at their lunch breaks and the drunkards are rumbling songs about me. Nevertheless I pray to you, O Lord, and when you decide that the right time has come, O God, although I don’t deserve it but because your love is never ending, Please answer my request and help me because I always can count on you.
