Humanity’s diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and races were intended to be a blessing from God. However, due to sin and rebellion, these differences often result in alienation, hatred, and even violence, becoming one of the most urgent problems facing the world. Cultural divisions are unfortunately common in the church, too. How can Christians embrace God’s purposes for diversity and experience renewal and unity as his people?
Steven Bryan presents a biblical framework for thinking about cultural identity and experiencing cultural diversity as a positive good that God intended. Writing from more than 20 years of experience in cross-cultural mission work in Ethiopia, Bryan examines historical and political aspects of nationality, ethnicity, and race. This practical examination of cultural ideologies—including multiculturalism, nationalism, and intersectionality—helps readers move from asking, Who am I? to Who are we? as God’s people.
288 pages.
Chapter 1: Ethnicity, Nationality, and Race: The Problem of Cultural Identity
Chapter 2: The Divine Vision: God’s Intention for a World Teeming with Peoples
Chapter 3: Children of Cain, Heirs of Babel: Cultural Identity in Rebellion
Chapter 4: One for All: The Restoration of Blessing in a People of Peoples
Chapter 5: Articles of Separation: Desecration, Dissolution, and the Death of Nations
Chapter 6: Bread for Dogs, Bread for the World: Privilege and Hospitality in the Gospel of Matthew
Chapter 7: Holy to the Lord: The Destruction and Renewal of Cultural Identities
Chapter 8: The Open Temple: Worship and the Unity of All Peoples
Chapter 9: Paul and the Practices of Belief: The Gospel and Cultural Diversity
Chapter 10: The Unity of All Peoples: Parody, Reality, and the Wealth of Nations
Chapter 11: A Purpose for Peoples: Cultural Identity and the Hope of a New Humanity
Questions for Study or Discussion
General Index
Scripture Index
Cultural Identity and the Purposes of God: A Biblical Theology of Ethnicity, Nationality, and Race is in the following collections: