In the past two years, Hannes Wiher has published two valuable books on cross-cultural understanding. In multicultural contexts, how can Christians engage with people from different cultural and religious backgrounds with love and sensitivity? The first volume offers models for understanding the other and the second volume focuses on the religious other.
Wiher has a PhD in missiology from the University of Potchefstroom, South Africa. He has spent more than twenty years in West Africa, and has taught in theological institutions in Asia, Europe, and Africa. He is currently a professor at Shalom University of Bunia in Congo DRC, FATEB in Yaoundé, Cameroon, and at Faculté Libre de Théologie Evangélique in Paris, France, as well as serving as the president of the Evangelical Missiology Network for Francophone Europe (REMEEF).
Who Are You, and Who Am I?
Title: Who Are You, and Who Am I? Biblical and Anthropological Models for Understanding Each Other
Author: Hannes Wiher
Publisher: Langham Global Library
Description
In a globalized world, with increasing migration and diaspora, we live alongside a growing number of people from different backgrounds and cultures. With these multicultural communities, how do we live as good neighbours as well as share the love of God with cultural awareness and sensitivity?
Who Are You, and Who Am I? provides an in-depth approach that makes accessible the knowledge needed for harmonious intercultural relationships, evangelism and discipleship. Hannes Wiher, a renowned missiologist, explores the concepts of worldview and identity, drawing on communication theory, philosophy, anthropology, theology and missiology, to bring the practicalities of both to life and fruitfully apply these to Scripture, theology and the church. Missiologists, missionaries and Christians in multicultural societies alike will find in this work a rich, practical and accessible resource.
Endorsements
In this book, Hannes Wiher, a renowned evangelical missiologist in the French- speaking world, has developed an in-depth study of culture with the aim of equipping the body of Christ with an understanding of societies, religions and worldviews, in order to communicate the gospel to different communities in a way that is faithful to Scripture and relevant to multiple cultures. Based on an interdisciplinary study that navigates through cultural anthropology, psychology, philosophy, theology and Bible translation, Wiher develops five models of cross-cultural communication that help the missionary to share the good news with a deeper understanding of people’s identities so as to win the world for Christ with effectiveness, conscience and love.
George P. Atido, PhD
Rector and Professor of Missiology and World Christianity, Shalom University of Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Veteran missiologist and author Hannes Wiher provides the global church with a text that is interdisciplinary, drawing on communication theory, philosophy, anthropology, theology and missiology. The text is not merely about anthropological theory and cultural description – it has as its stated purpose the goal of improving relationships that enable faithful gospel transmission. One outstanding feature that separates this work from others like it is how Wiher consistently brings to the forefront the critical global issues of honour and shame. This work is biblically grounded and would serve as an excellent introductory text for the study of culture and mission, especially for those who wish to pursue an approach that focusses on worldview.
Christopher L. Flanders, PhD
Professor of Missions, Graduate School of Theology, Abilene Christian University, Texas, USA
A must for all those who teach cross-cultural workers. A book that I myself as a lecturer wish I had known much earlier. Why? Because the so-called short-cuts, simplifications and generalizations, at first glance hard to accept (for myself), are not arbitrary but the result of decades of teaching. They leadto concise and practicable grids, which can be used in various teaching and ministry contexts. At the same time, they help teachers to not get lost in the virtually infinite realities of cultures, religions and worldviews.
Martin Heiẞwolf, ThD
Dean of Missiology, BibelStudienKolleg, Germany, Chairman of missiotop
What Do You Believe?
Title: What Do You Believe? Practical Models for Understanding Religions
Author: Hannes Wiher
Publisher: Langham Global Library
Description
Contrary to popular perception in the West, the number of people professing a religion continues to increase worldwide, yet the amount of contact between Christians and people of other religions is on the decline. Still, the mandate to share the gospel and make Christ-like disciples remains. How can Christians engage people from diverse religious backgrounds with love and sensitivity?
In this second volume, renowned missiologist Dr. Hannes Wiher continues the exploration of cross-cultural understanding for sharing the gospel with a particular focus on religion. The decline in religious mixing can be attributed to geographic ghettoization, which is a lack of knowledge and a fear of the religious “other.” Wiher expertly tackles the issue by analysing religion through the lens of worldview and identity. He provides an in-depth description and analysis of the major world religions, presents them as a part of culture, and constructs an evangelistic approach for Christian engagement. Understanding culture and religion is an important prerequisite for evangelism and discipleship; therefore, this book will equip and empower missiologists, missionaries, and any Christian to live in diverse harmonious relationships and fruitfully share the gospel.
Endorsements
Wiher offers a unique missiological pearl to help theology students, pastors, and missionaries understand the complexity of religions so as to better communicate the message of the gospel to their followers. This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to think deeply about missions and theology of religions.
Georges Pirwoth Atido, PhD
President and Professor of Missiology and World Christianity, Shalom University of Bunia, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Hannes Wiher’s What Do You Believe? joins the ranks of helpful works seeking to understand and engage the various religious traditions of the world. Anyone looking for a profitable way to understand the content and worldview commitments of global religions can find it here.
Christopher Flanders, PhD
Professor of Missions, Graduate School of Theology, Abilene Christian University, Texas, USA
Wiher distinguishes himself by his comprehensive knowledge, by his decades of missionary service evidenced in many practical examples, and by a true heart of loving service offered to adherents of other beliefs through love, sacrifice of time, and keen interest.
Martin Heiẞwolf, DTh
Dean of Missiology, BibelStudienKolleg, Germany, Chairman of missiotop
