The late __Paul G. Hiebert__ (1932-2007) was distinguished professor of mission and anthropology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and previously taught at Fuller Theological Seminary. __R. Daniel Shaw__ is professor of anthropology and translation at Fuller Theological Seminary. __Tite Tiénou__ is professor of theology of mission at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Provides a model for examining the beliefs folk religions around the world and suggests biblical principles missionaries can use to deal with them.

Section One: Developing an Analytical Model  
1\. Split-Level Christianity  
2\. Phenomenology of Religion  
3\. Analyzing Belief Systems  
4\. Folk and Formal Religions  
Section Two: Folk Religious Beliefs  
5\. The Meaning of Life and Death  
6\. Human Well-Being and Misfortune  
7\. Guidance and the Unknown  
8\. Right and Wrong  
Section Three: Folk Religious Practices  
9\. The World of Sacred Signs  
10\. Sacred Myths  
11\. Religious Rituals  
12\. Religious Leaders and Institutions  
13\. Religious Movements  
Section Four: Christian Responses to Folk Religion  
14\. Theological Responses to Folk Religion  
15\. Missiological Responses

Understanding Folk Religion is an eBook by Paul G. Hiebert that explores global folk beliefs and offers biblical principles for missionaries to engage with these traditions.

\["For missionaries seeking to understand folk beliefs", "Helps you navigate complex folk religion practices", "You will connect more effectively with diverse cultures"\]

This eBook offers insights into folk religions and biblical responses for missionaries.

Hiebert, Paul G. ;Shaw, R. Daniel ;Tienou, Tite

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Preface

SECTION ONE: DEVELOPING AN ANALYTICAL MODEL

1 Split-Level Christianity

2 Phenomenology of Religion

3 Analyzing Belief Systems

4 Folk and Formal Religions

SECTION TWO: FOLK RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

5 The Meaning of Life and Death

6 Human Well-Being and Misfortune

7 Guidance and the Unknown

8 Right and Wrong

SECTION THREE: FOLK RELIGIOUS PRACTICES

9 The World of Sacred Signs

10 Sacred Myths

11 Religious Rituals

12 Religious Leaders and Institutions

13 Religious Movements

SECTION FOUR: CHRISTIAN RESPONSES TO FOLK RELIGION

14 Theological Responses to Folk Religion

15 Missiological Responses

References

Index

About the Authors

Notes

Back Cover

Provides a model for examining the beliefs of folk religions around the world and suggests biblical principles missionaries can use to deal with them.

Around the world Christian churches face the challenge of folk religions. Missionaries brought formal Christianity and assumed that traditional religions would die out as the gospel displaced animistic beliefs and practices. Today it is clear that old ways do not die out, but instead remain largely hidden from view. People affirm orthodox theologies, but go to witch doctors, shamans, diviners, and healers during the week. Christianity has become an overlay, coexisting with folk beliefs in an uneasy tension. How is the Christian church to respond? The authors, drawing on their years of experience, both in the classroom and on the mission field, offer a compelling model that accounts for the continued persistence of folk religions. Arguing that Western missionaries have failed to take these traditions seriously, they present a richly detailed portrait of the belief systems and practices that characterize folk religions (illustrated throughout with numerous charts and examples drawn from particular cultures). Effective evangelization requires that the message of the gospel be made relevant and understandable to a particular society. Difficulties arise when missionaries attempt either to suppress the practice of folk religions or to assimilate native rites and rituals uncritically. In neither case, do they adequately consider the importance that such beliefs and practices play in the daily lives of people. Folk religions explain "the existential problems of everyday life" for their respective cultures. They are a social attempt to account for the problems of material existence and to exercise a degree of control over it. In particular, the authors consider four life concerns that inform the belief systems of folk religions: the threat of death, tragedies and life's misfortunes, guidance and the unknown, and the problem of right, wrong, and moral order. In each case, they consider the importance of such issues and elements that might be involved in a truly Christian response. In the final section, they offer a detailed proposal for theological and missiological responses to folk religions. In every culture, the authors argue, successful evangelism must present a biblical response that takes account of such belief systems and the respective practices that express those beliefs. This volume provides modern missionaries with sound principles for developing a serious Christian response to prevailing folk religions.

Paul G. Hiebert is distinguished professor of mission and anthropology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. R. Daniel Shaw is professor of anthropology and translation at Fuller Theological Seminary. Tite Tienou is professor of theology of mission at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.

Understanding Folk Religion [eBook]

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Understanding Folk Religion [eBook]

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Provides a model for examining the beliefs folk religions around the world and suggests biblical principles missionaries can use to deal with them.

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