Cultural Dynamics

Cultural dynamics are the forces that drive society. The values, traditions, beliefs, and attitudes that cause us to act as we do. They’re the hidden assumptions we make about life and the lens through which we interpret our world. The dominant culture in the biblical world was a mixture of honor/shame and fear/power. You can find posts highlighting six cultural dynamics important in the world of the Bible:

• Pursuit of honor
• Importance of face
• Belief in limited good
• Honor competition
• System of patronage
• Emphasis on purity

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  Purity: Outdated or Updated?August 14, 2019
  In biblical culture, purity codes defined how to be acceptable before a holy God. What about today? Is purity outdated? Has God updated his standards?
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  Patronage: Why Do They Always Ask for Money?August 7, 2019
  For many people in developing countries, patronage — a reciprocal, hierarchal relationship — may be the only way to get the resources they need.
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  Honor Games: How to Play & WinJuly 31, 2019
  Nothing is more valuable than honor, so life is a series of honor competitions. How should Jesus-followers respond to these honor games?
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  Limited Good or Unlimited? Scarcity or Plenty?July 24, 2019
  Is your life based on an attitude of scarcity (i.e., limited good) or plenty (i.e., unlimited good)? Limited good isn’t just an ancient assumption.
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  Importance of Face: What Does Yours Say?July 17, 2019
  When a value is so central to a culture that everyone lives with it, but no one says much about it, you know it’s crucial. Such is the importance of face.
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  The Pursuit of Honor in the Non-Western WorldJuly 10, 2019
  Imagine someone watching and grading everything you do. China, an honor/shame society, is now pushing the pursuit of honor with their social credit system.
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  Cultural Dynamics: Why They MatterJuly 3, 2019
  Cultural dynamics are the underlying forces that drive a culture. We often don’t recognize them in our culture and misunderstand them in other cultures.
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  Honor: What Everybody WantsMay 29, 2019
  In the West, we call it prestige, recognition, respect, or admiration. The rest of the world calls it honor. Wanting honor is universal.
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  Cross-Cultural Communication: Face Is CrucialMay 22, 2019
  Cross-cultural communication can seem as if you’re hiding in clouds trying to talk with someone you can neither hear nor see. Concern for face is crucial.

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