3
Summary
The article “Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of
Race/Ethnicity, Class, and Culture” written by Bob Ekbald, provides a depth of
knowledge on things about how to successfully and properly communicate the bible
across a wide rage of cultural differences.The required reading for the courses explain
exactly how one can learn and apply how to read to all demographics. Through the
reading Ekbald touches on several topics. identifying bias in our theology and culture,
learning how to present a proper view of God, learning to apply active listening when
preaching the Gospel, and relying on the work of the Holy Spirit to lead us. While
reading the Good news article Ekbald taught me what are considered to be ideal strategies
to better communicate Jesus with people from across the globe. While this might be a
novel thought after reading I learned that people in different cultures respond to biblical
scriptures differently. How I might think of slavery in my western world view is
completely different than how someone from Africa or Asia might. 1A key verse Ekbald
uses is John 3:16. After hearing this verse thousands of times it wasn't until this reading
showed me the importance of understanding that the work of the cross is for “ the World”
and that makes it even more powerful which should call preachers and teachers to teach
the world not from their country perspective but to the world in way that each culture and
region of the world may understand.
Reflection
In my honest opinion this article was fantastic, not only did it provide knowledge,
scripture and practicality but it gave me a new perspective on a topic that I thought I was
well versed in. However after reading I felt a massive conviction for not just why I share
1Ekblad, B. (2011). Reading Scripture for Good News that Crosses Barriers of Race/Ethnicity,
4
Jesus but how I share Jesus. Ekbald does a great job of challenging readers to constantly
show humility, interest, sincerity towards people who do not look or live near you in an
effort to better communicate the Gospel. Ekbald says that these characteristics have the
ability to make people we are sharing Jesus with feel safe, which ultimately opens their
hearts to being receptive to what you have to say.2One of the key scriptures that Ekbald
uses to create his argument is Matthew 28:19 states, “Go therefore and make disciples of
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit'' to effectively hold this scripture we as christians and even more so as preachers
and teachers should attempt to put ourselves in a position to rely on the Holy Spirit to
help us find lost people in our cities and outside and teach them the ways of our Lord. To
make this verse more than lip service or works we must inconvenience ourselves to learn
about other cultures, surround ourselves with different people groups and teach in a way
that is culturally relevant to a specific demographic that the spirit leads us to. Ekbald
article is timely and anyone who is planning on becoming as a missionary or even
traveling and visiting into a new culture should take time to apply the truths, meditate on
the scriptures and live our the call of the great commission, by not just resorting to what
is convenient or comfortable but instead commanded … reaching all the nations.
Personally I loved how informative this article was and there is not much to change, but
if i had to critique I would offer the suggestion to the author that the piece could have
been shorter. Several times while reading I felt the article was becoming redundant.
Lastly, one other piece of advice I would give the reader is to add more stories of how our
bias can negatively impact the kingdom. The world is in desperate need of the Gospel, it
is our job to give it to them.3However we must ensure the Gospel we are giving them is
not a cultural Gospel but instead of biblical Gospel!
3Ibid, 232
2Ibid, 231
