Raising the Level of Awareness: Understanding the Role Culture Plays in Evangelism

Abstract

Evangelism efforts in twenty-first century North America and cross-cultural communication are joined together. As Christians reach out with God’s Word into their community, they find people who are unlike themselves. While they share the good news of a Savior for all, cultural differences can easily be ignored. Cultural ignorance negatively affects evangelism efforts. It prevents witnesses from effective gospel communication because it creates psychological barriers that stop effective communication. Cultural awareness enhances evangelism efforts. It breaks barriers down. This thesis seeks to raise the level of awareness of the role culture plays in evangelism efforts. The thesis begins by looking at biblical principles of evangelism and the role human communication plays. Then it creates a basis of understanding about culture and intercultural communication. Lastly it looks at two ways for growing in cultural intelligence and how that knowledge might be applied.