Anthropology for Christian Witness

Rating:
Summary: Modern Classic for Missiology
Review: "Anthropology for Christian Witness" is the crowning acheivement for a man who has been a wealth of Evangelical understanding at Fuller Theological Seminary for more than a decade. Kraft originally studied Anthropology at an undergraduate level which has flavored his missions and teaching perspectives since that time. When he went on the mission field, however, he found himself totally unprepared for the worldview differences that he encountered, especially those differing from Western Christianity, which typically denies the spirit world and power (see Kraft's "Christianity with Power", 1989). His ministry after that time seems to include coming to grips with the spiritual, power, and cultural aspects of Christian life and ministry in the context of multiple worldviews.

"Anthropology for Chrisitian Witness" is a synopsis of this process. It contains a clear definitions for the complicated processes involved in worldviews, perspectives, and assumptions that exist under the surface in any culture. He also then launches into an excellent discussion of communication theory with it's meanings and forms, with special emphasis on communication to the receipient. His discussion on worldviews and how they relate to change then prepares the Christian for cross-cultural ministry, which may not necessarily be in the next country, but in our increasingly diverse country may be "next door". As a Pastor and Bible College professor, I found the book to be a succinct summary of the Anthropological concerns of cross-cultural ministry and a sharpening tool for my own ability to witness. I strongly recommend it as a resource tool or a textbook for cross-cultural missiology or Anthropology.

Rating:
Summary: Modern Classic for Missiology
Review: "Anthropology for Christian Witness" is the crowning acheivement for a man who has been a wealth of Evangelical understanding at Fuller Theological Seminary for more than a decade. Kraft originally studied Anthropology at an undergraduate level which has flavored his missions and teaching perspectives since that time. When he went on the mission field, however, he found himself totally unprepared for the worldview differences that he encountered, especially those differing from Western Christianity, which typically denies the spirit world and power (see Kraft's "Christianity with Power", 1989). His ministry after that time seems to include coming to grips with the spiritual, power, and cultural aspects of Christian life and ministry in the context of multiple worldviews.

"Anthropology for Chrisitian Witness" is a synopsis of this process. It contains a clear definitions for the complicated processes involved in worldviews, perspectives, and assumptions that exist under the surface in any culture. He also then launches into an excellent discussion of communication theory with it's meanings and forms, with special emphasis on communication to the receipient. His discussion on worldviews and how they relate to change then prepares the Christian for cross-cultural ministry, which may not necessarily be in the next country, but in our increasingly diverse country may be "next door". As a Pastor and Bible College professor, I found the book to be a succinct summary of the Anthropological concerns of cross-cultural ministry and a sharpening tool for my own ability to witness. I strongly recommend it as a resource tool or a textbook for cross-cultural missiology or Anthropology.

Rating:
Summary: Every Christian Should Read This
Review: A truly amazing book, it completely changed the way I viewed cross cultural witnessing and also changed how I see other cultures. If I were to make a list of books for every Christian to read, the first two would be: 1. Bible (duh) 2. Anthropology for Christian Witness. The first reviewer has obviously not read this book or he would have understood the value of having anthropology as a witnessing tool and as a means of viewing other cultures and belief systems.

However, this book is certainly deeper than learning how to witness, it dives much further than that and actually speaks on many other topics such as how culture plays a role in forming religious practices and even shows how our own culture has influenced the way we live out a christian life. Amazing book, read it and you shall not regret it.

Rating:
Summary: Not what anthropology is for
Review: Anthropology is the study of human diversity. Its central tenet is cultural relativism--that cultural values and standards are different for different societies. Anthropology is not intended to be used for "Christian witness," Muslim witness, satanic witness, or any other witness. That is anti-anthropology--the assertion that one way of seeing the world is the right way or only way. People who want to know what anthropology is should read a real anthropology book, and people who want to missionize their "beliefs" should say straight out that is what they are doing and not hide behind nor bastardize anthropology.

Rating:
Summary: Not what anthropology is for
Review: Anthropology is the study of human diversity. Its central tenet is cultural relativism--that cultural values and standards are different for different societies. Anthropology is not intended to be used for "Christian witness," Muslim witness, satanic witness, or any other witness. That is anti-anthropology--the assertion that one way of seeing the world is the right way or only way. People who want to know what anthropology is should read a real anthropology book, and people who want to missionize their "beliefs" should say straight out that is what they are doing and not hide behind nor bastardize anthropology.