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Learning from the Stranger: Christian Faith and Cultural Diversity

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Cultural differences increasingly impact our everyday lives. Virtually none of us today interact exclusively with people who look, talk, and behave like we do. David Smith here offers an excellent guide to living and learning in our culturally interconnected world. / Learning from the Stranger clearly explains what "culture" is, discusses how cultural difference affects our perceptions and behavior, and explores how Jesus' call to love our neighbor involves learning from cultural strangers. Built around three chapter-length readings of extended biblical passages (from Genesis, Luke, and Acts), the book skillfully weaves together theological and practical concerns, and Smith’s engaging, readable text is peppered with stories from his own extensive firsthand experience. / Many thoughtful readers will resonate with this insightful book as it encourages the virtues of humility and hospitality in our personal interactions — and shows how learning from strangers, not just imparting our own ideas to them, is an integral part of Christian discipleship.

196 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 31, 2009

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About the author

David I. Smith

23 books34 followers
I started out as a secondary school foreign language teacher in England. I quickly became intrigued by the ways in which implicit beliefs and values shaped the materials and ways of teaching that I experienced in classrooms. That theme has become my career-long research project. Most of my books have something to do with how faith gets expressed in classrooms. I now direct a research institute focused on how Christian faith relates to education as well as being involved in teacher education at Calvin College as an education professor. I serve as senior editor of the International Journal of Christianity and Education, and travel widely to work with schools and universities on faculty development. I have also been involved in shaping some online curriculum projects at http://www.whatiflearning.com and http://www.teachfastly.com.

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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
Profile Image for Anna.
122 reviews
March 12, 2023
“To be Christian is, furthermore, not to reserve for oneself the role of the host, the one who sets the table, but to learn to see Christ in others, to receive correction from them, to be joined to them…”

This book was one that was required reading but unexpectedly and subtly enhanced my philosophy of life. I want to be past the stage in which I’ve just finished it and like, graft it into my personality.

It was so cool! It talked about language and asking the right questions and shirking ethnocentrism in favor of becoming an earnest learner. Engaging with others who are different than you is inevitable—I think this book thoughtfully urges you to do so with care.
Profile Image for Seth.
295 reviews7 followers
December 27, 2016
Smith deals with the problem of cultural egocentricity and asks how we take on an incarnational approach in expressing genuine hospitality to the stranger. Smith advocates for a way of interacting in which both sides can learn. Smith works through a number of key passages of scripture to evaluate the perspectives they inform on the issue: Genesis 20:1-18 (considering the idea of fear and power), Luke 10:25-37 (on humbly loving foreigners), Acts 2:5-12 (on the language of the heart), Acts 10:25-35 (on what "table fellowship" really means). This book is a must read for groups--churches, missions leaders, schools--serious about and the need to address these issues.
Profile Image for Rachel B.
1,040 reviews65 followers
May 30, 2018
An excellent and important book!

Smith spends a good amount of time examining biblical accounts of intercultural moments that tend to be glossed over in our modern understanding, and discusses why and how we should reconsider our approach to "intercultural" relationships.

There are tons of specific, real-life examples of misunderstandings that have occurred between people due to cultural differences. Just a few that I remember covered the Navajo tradition of not speaking one's own name and leaving a length of silence before responding to another's speech, British greetings (they don't ask everyone "How are you?"), and Germans not extending invitations to others to go out and do things (but it's perfectly acceptable to invite yourself along).

I have so many quotes that I wrote down from this book, but I'll try to narrow it down here:

"We easily rush to interpreting cultural differences in moral terms (a different relationship to time becomes laziness, more direct forms of speech become arrogance, protracted silences become sullenness, indirectness becomes avoiding the issue, and so on)." p 116

"It is entirely possible to keep intercultural learning within the bounds of the academic. It is equally possible to travel the world and sustain our prejudices throughout the experience." p 126

I recommend to all Christians, particularly Western Christians!
6 reviews
January 10, 2010
Amazing book! Always makes me think that when we think we are being a blessing to others, they are blessing us...and what that means in our schools and classrooms.
58 reviews
June 2, 2017
This was a great read. I was stretched to think about my culture and how I impose it on others. I was challenged to see where I am easily critical of "different". I recommend this book highly!
Profile Image for Shuli.
67 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2021
excellent book, highly recommend.
As a person immigrated to US, I have a lot of encounters that echo what Smith described in his book. I have been on both the receiving (being patronized) and the giving (superiority complex) ends at times. The bottom line is we all can use a little humility that is driven by love when we see others - this "other" is close to us than we usually would think.
Profile Image for HCC.
77 reviews2 followers
May 26, 2022
This book is a rare mix of insightful biblical reflection and VERY practical instruction for cross-cultural encounters
2 reviews
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January 22, 2025
I was hooked from the first chapter! Smith is insightful and inspiring! This is a great read for Christians coming from all backgrounds.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews

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