Change across Cultures: A Narrative Approach to Social Transformation

by Bruce Bradshaw

C. S. Lewis compared the task of ethical inquiry to sailing a fleet of ships; the primary task is avoiding collisions. When introducing cultural change, such collisions are inevitable. Bruce Bradshaw provides expert instruction for navigating these cultural clashes. Bradshaw contends that lasting change comes only through altering the stories by which people live. The Bible is the metanarrative whose altering theme of redemption forms a transcultural ethical basis. Aspects of God's redemption story can change how local cultures think and behave toward the environment, religions, government, gender identities, economics, science, and technology. However, effective change takes place only in a context of reconciliation, Christian community, and mutual learning. A must read for anyone engaged in or preparing for crosscultural ministry, relief, or development work. The book is also relevant to students of ethics, philosophy, and theology. Numerous real life examples illustrate the inevitable tensions that occur when cultures and narratives collide.

Genres: Cultural, Christian, Theology

264 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2002

Reviews

[Steve Coombs · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bradshaw's dizzying array of topics lacks a driving focus and underlying narrative, ironically making a book about the importance of narrative feel too abstract.
On a practical level, Bradshaw provides many good examples of how “Western logic” does not translate all over the world. We are often tempted to believe that everyone will surely be able to understand the value of 'x' because it makes so much sense. “Who wouldn't want cleaner water, less odorous toilets, and more efficient roofs? They would have to be stupid not to!” This is the attitude Bradshaw's stories help guard us against; they illustrate how deeply out values and beliefs affect our actions, even to the point of undermining our own well-being. It is not simply a matter of advertising a product/ministry/plan in a way that appeals to people. People's outlook on the world itself must change, and this can only happen through the Gospel. Bradshaw's treatise on development ends up being an argument for evangelism!
Overall, the value of Bradshaw's book is severely undermined by his faulty interpretation of the Bible and inconsistent approach. He could also benefit from a greater degree of openness; he calls for the transformation of other people's values through redemption so they can grow economically and develop their communities, but he does not acknowledge the possibility that perhaps we are the ones who sometimes need to change and grow.