Heather Cumby
GLST 650: Intercultural Communication
June 2023
BOOK APPLICATION: Christian Intercultural Communications: Sharing God’s Love
with People of Other Cultures.
C o n t e n t s
PART I
Introduction and Critique
...……………………………………………………………………….3 Love
…………………………………………………………...………………………………….3
Conflict ……………………………………………….……………………….………………….4
God First ……………………………………………………………………….…………………5
Communication
….…………………………………………………………………………….….5 Value
……………………………………………………………………………………………...6
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………….…….7
Bibliography ……………………………………………………………………………………...8
2
Introduction and Critical Review
Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God's Love with People of Other
Cultures by Chul "Tim" Chang, with assistance from Ashley Chang, is an inspiring book for
anyone to read. The book is about the issues that Chang was endowed with will in his missionary
journey in China. Although the book is about the journey, Chang adds where these aspects could
be in day-to-day life. These tips in this book can be used in diverse situations, not just in the
missionary field. The only weakness in the book is that it only deals with the missionary field,
and there is minimal mention of how to use the information in other career paths. Chang's book
was appreciated as informative for someone wanting to live out the Great Commission (Matt.
28:16-20), dealing with lessons in love, conflict, God first, communication, and values.
Love
The central theme throughout the book is the concept of love. It does not matter what gets
in the way. Love is the key. Christian intercultural communication (CIC), where the goal isn't just
crossing cultures but loving everyone with Christlike love.1 The ideology is what a person
dislikes about a person, not the person. God made man in his image (Gen. 1:27). To hate another
human would be to hate God. The love for others is different than the love of a family member. It
is a love that is of understanding, compassion, and empathy. To show someone that it does not
matter the past. Someone loves you. Showing love is the most significant thing a person can do
in life.
Love is something that I show daily. I have been asked, “How can you be so happy and
loving with the negativity in your life.” It is easy; you can show love when you know you are
3
1 Chang (2020). Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures. [Insert Publisher Location]: Kendall Hunt Publishing.14.
loved. This is how I can strike up a Gospel conversation when out and about. Now, using this in
my future endeavors will be just as easy. As a future professor, I will love every one of my
students and colleagues that cross my path. Showing love makes people think, “What does
she have?” “I want that?” Touching one person's life as a professor when I start teaching, then
my mission is complete.
Conflict
Conflict is something that happens. Chang shares multiple conflict scenarios throughout
the book, including the conflict section. Some of the conflicts are personal, spiritual, and
personal. Conflict seems to come from where it's least expected, where it's least supposed to
happen.2 Conflict typically catches one person off guard, causing it to escalate. Putting into
practice James 1:19-20 is the best thing to do in these situations. Being caught off guard can
cause so much anger. However, stopping, taking a deep breath, and asking the attackee why
they said what they said is how it can be a normal conversation instead of a conflict situation.
Currently, conflict is something I try to avoid dealing with or putting myself in those
situations. My most significant conflict at the moment would have to be with my kids. That is a
challenge in itself. However, I will face conflict daily in my future endeavors as a professor. I
was using my knowledge of de-escalating conversations at a previous job. I know that conflict
happens when a person feels unheard or confused. It could be confusion in tone, language
barrier, or anything honestly. My lecture room and colleagues are going to be a diverse group
and have an understanding of the conflicts that could arise. I will be able to manage them.
God First
4
2 Chang (2020). Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures. [Insert Publisher Location]: Kendall Hunt Publishing.130.
It is always said, “No matter what you do, do it to Glorify God.” This concept makes a
person think about God before doing or saying anything, keeping God in focus. In life, it is easy
to lose focus on God. He can often be put on the back burner as we put ourselves first. Chang
informs the readers that it is easy to lose sight of God and go after personal goals while in the
mission field. The foundation of the Gospel message is what is most important to focus on, and
this is what it means to put God first.3 Although Chang uses losing sight of God as a conflict in
the mission field, it is also a conflict in day-to-day life.
Using the application of God first as a professor is simple for me, I would like to think. I
am keeping myself grounded and humble instead of looking for personal gains. I aim to navigate
my students and help them to the best of my ability. I believe it would be easy to lose sight of
God and his plan in material things. However, I put God first daily, and to lose sight of him once
I am successful would be a shame. I know that some people see their gain as personal. I see my
gain as God's plan for me.
Communication
Chang mentions the word communication 83 times throughout the book. As the book's
primary theme, communication is essential for all aspects of life. Chang addresses
communication from a verbal and nonverbal point of view. A pervasive and well-known
distinction between communication methods is oral and nonverbal communication—the words
we say and all the other ways we communicate. 4 How we say things or hand motions in one
place may mean something different in another place. Growing up, I thought the slang phrase
"Oh, bless your heart." was good. The person telling you that was saying, "You are so sweet."
However, when I got older, I learned that it does not mean a good thing at all. It means you are
5
3 Chang (2020). Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures. [Insert Publisher Location]: Kendall Hunt Publishing. 43.
4 Chang (2020). Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures. [Insert Publisher Location]: Kendall Hunt Publishing. 77.
an idiot. I know the meaning because I said it to someone, and they quickly corrected me. This
section puts into perspective the importance of cultural education before going to a different
place.
Communication is something I will use daily. I have learned that while the United States
has a big push on speedy replies, being early means being on time. This concept is different for
other cultures. Only God knows where I will teach; it could be out of the country. I will need to
study communication skills and gestures before going anywhere else. I will also have students
that are of different cultures. In 2021 4.6% of college students in the United States were
international students. Being understanding of their differences is critical. I have spoken about
communication barriers with where I may work and students. The last area will be colleagues.
Again, only God knows my plan. However, I will have multiple colleagues or friends of different
cultural backgrounds. Learning how to make them feel comfortable and that I understand their
culture is essential. If someone asks me not to make that hand gesture again, I will not do it.
Values
Cultural values and kingdom values are the two crucial values that Chang speaks about in
the book. Kingdom values mean we must "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,"
for it is only through this lifestyle that "all these things will be added to you" (Matt. 6:33, ESV).5
You cannot spread the Gospel if you are not right with God. n order to reveal the Gospel of God
to people in other cultures, we must not only always emphasize the importance of Kingdom
values, but we also must know the local people’s cultural values.6 Learning the cultural values of
the local people is how a better plan and strategy can be processed that will be beneficial for
spreading the Gospel.
6
5 Chang (2020). Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures. [Insert Publisher Location]: Kendall Hunt Publishing.103
6 Chang (2020). Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures. [Insert Publisher Location]: Kendall Hunt Publishing.104
Bibliography
Chang (2020). Christian Intercultural Communication: Sharing God’s Love with People of Other
Cultures. [Insert Publisher Location]: Kendall Hunt Publishing.
Applying cultural and kingdom values to my future career will be all in my actions.
Making a plan before speaking to a student or colleague and getting to know them before trying
to give any information will allow me to practice cultural and kingdom values. If I teach in
another country, I will make sure to blend into the culture and embrace it. Kingdom value is
keeping God at the center of my life, letting him show my path and not my personal needs or
wants. He has the ultimate plan.
Conclusion
Chang's book is appreciated when it comes to Christian Intercultural Communication
issues in the mission field. However, the reader can also be applied to everyone's life and any
career path due to the multicultural United States that we live in today. America is not a singular
culture, it is diverse, and understanding is vital to success.
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