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Honor and Shame: Unlocking the Door
In this book, Roland Muller removes the mystique from shame-based cultures. Using the Bible, he introduces us to honor, shame, and fear-based cultures, illustrating their development over the years and demonstrating their influence on our understanding of
122 pages, Paperback
First published March 28, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
May 23, 2021
In the last decade, the subject of worldview has become a standard topic in Christian institutions. Studying this subject is quite important because it not only give christians tools to share the Gospel but it gives every christian tools to make a good interpretation of the Bible. The study of the subject of the worldview permits us to make a good biblical exegesis and a good audience exegesis. According to Sire, the worldview begins with our concept of what is real. Every culture have his own worldview.
The author approaches the subject with the Common Ancestral Worldviews. He thinks that Adam and Eve experienced guilt, shame, and fear. Muller believes that these three responses to sin make up the basic building blocks that created mankind's common ancestral worldviews. In other words, he believes that each culture have one of those approaches to reality or a mix of them.
- Guilt and Innocence. Western culture is Guilt and Innocence oriented. We are always asking: What is right? and we are always presenting the gospel in legal terms.
- Shame and Honor. Arabic culture is Shame and Honor oriented. They are no to focus in asking everytime what is right, but they are more worried in be more honored in every decision.
- Fear and Power. African cultures are more Fear and Power oriented. They are always fighting with spirits or worried about their human rights been violated. They are seeking for power in every decision in their lives.
"When man broke God's law, he was in a position of guilt. When man broke God's relationship, he was in a position of shame. When man broke God's trust, he was in a position of fear.) (p.144)
In this book, as the title proposes, is focus in the Honor and Shame culture and he explains us why is important for us to know about this Common Ancestral Worldview. The main problem that he exposes is that christians in muslims countries are focused on preaching the gospel in legal terms, like we do in the United States and America Latin. Explaining the gospel in only these terms it may be not relevant to the culture. Why? Because the other person doesn't interpret the world in what is right or wrong. He or she interprets the world through a Honor and Shame worldview.
The author proposes that christians, especially in this context have to explain what were Adam and Eve responses so that then the christian can explain the gospel in according to those needs that humanity needs to be resolved.
The author proposes to preach the gospel in three parts:
- Propitiation - Gods wrath (fear-power paradigm)
- Redemption - Gods justice (guilt-innocence paradigm)
- An example that he gives us is the explanation of Paul about the resurrection from the death.
An example that he gives us is the explanation of Paul about the resurrection from the death.
"Paul goes on to tell us about our new bodies that will be given to us in the resurrection from the dead (I Corinthians 15:42-43, KJV). “So also is the resurrection from the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. (from guilt to innocence). It is sown in dis- honor; it is raised in glory (from shame to honor). It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” (from a position of fear to a position of power)." (p.157)
The author approaches the subject with the Common Ancestral Worldviews. He thinks that Adam and Eve experienced guilt, shame, and fear. Muller believes that these three responses to sin make up the basic building blocks that created mankind's common ancestral worldviews. In other words, he believes that each culture have one of those approaches to reality or a mix of them.
- Guilt and Innocence. Western culture is Guilt and Innocence oriented. We are always asking: What is right? and we are always presenting the gospel in legal terms.
- Shame and Honor. Arabic culture is Shame and Honor oriented. They are no to focus in asking everytime what is right, but they are more worried in be more honored in every decision.
- Fear and Power. African cultures are more Fear and Power oriented. They are always fighting with spirits or worried about their human rights been violated. They are seeking for power in every decision in their lives.
"When man broke God's law, he was in a position of guilt. When man broke God's relationship, he was in a position of shame. When man broke God's trust, he was in a position of fear.) (p.144)
In this book, as the title proposes, is focus in the Honor and Shame culture and he explains us why is important for us to know about this Common Ancestral Worldview. The main problem that he exposes is that christians in muslims countries are focused on preaching the gospel in legal terms, like we do in the United States and America Latin. Explaining the gospel in only these terms it may be not relevant to the culture. Why? Because the other person doesn't interpret the world in what is right or wrong. He or she interprets the world through a Honor and Shame worldview.
The author proposes that christians, especially in this context have to explain what were Adam and Eve responses so that then the christian can explain the gospel in according to those needs that humanity needs to be resolved.
The author proposes to preach the gospel in three parts:
- Propitiation - Gods wrath (fear-power paradigm)
- Redemption - Gods justice (guilt-innocence paradigm)
- An example that he gives us is the explanation of Paul about the resurrection from the death.
An example that he gives us is the explanation of Paul about the resurrection from the death.
"Paul goes on to tell us about our new bodies that will be given to us in the resurrection from the dead (I Corinthians 15:42-43, KJV). “So also is the resurrection from the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption. (from guilt to innocence). It is sown in dis- honor; it is raised in glory (from shame to honor). It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.” (from a position of fear to a position of power)." (p.157)
February 1, 2018
This book is a great introduction to understanding the Gospel in a tri-faceted way. It brings to attention that the Gospel speaks not only to our guilt before God but our shame and fear as well. The author challenges westerners to consider if we have thought of the Gospel only in terms of guilt/innocence.
Overall, a very good book and a great step in stone for delving deeper into understanding how to contextualize the Gospel.
Overall, a very good book and a great step in stone for delving deeper into understanding how to contextualize the Gospel.
February 2, 2018
A good introduction to the concepts of honor and shame/guilt and innocence/fear power and trying to show the gospel as something multifaceted. It is focused on Arab culture, so the in-depth explanations are centered around that.
January 1, 2014
I liked most of this little book, up until about chapter eight. Understanding honor and shame is important to working in the Muslim world. I appreciate his layout of how honor and shame work in contrast to fear and to guilt. I also appreciate his emphasis on the synergy between honor/shame and a communal mindset. This helps me understand a lot of the violence that breaks out in tribal contexts when the honor of the group is offended. I would probably argue that this book has a bit of the "If you are a hammer, everything looks like a nail" problem though.
Interestingly enough, the only one of the Muller's "three major worldviews" I don't see in the Genesis account is guilt. That was a nice piece of eisegesis.
The book goes south later on as Muller tries to understand how honor and shame make a difference to the Arab Muslim. He ends up making lots of over-generalizations whose truthfulness I question based on my own experience with Arabic Muslims. I was also disappointed with Muller's lack of understanding/interaction with the Qur'an. For example, being called a dog in public is dishonorable according to Muller because dogs are scavengers who eat the scraps and not the prime meat. However, in Islam, dogs are considered ritually unclean and the word "dog" is often used as an epithet. This seems like a much stronger understanding of why it is dishonorable to be called a dog, because it is a curse word. (Just like in English, for that matter.)
Muller takes small differences and makes them seem really large and relevant. For example, Christianity and Islam are very different because in Christianity things are "right and wrong" but in Islam they are only right and wrong based on the shame. "However, few things are considered right or wrong. Right and wrong in Islam are defined by the Qur'an." (p.81) How is that different from the Christian perception of the Bible? Christians know what is right and wrong from the Bible.
Especially since the authority he cites is Sania Amandy, a "world-renowned scholar" who doesn't exist in Wikipedia and whose last work, "Temperament and Character of the Arabs" was published in 1960. Even the title should tell us that that book is way out-of-date, and using psychological and sociological methods that are no longer considered appropriate, and would probably be considered offensive. Sentences like "This is because in the Arab value system, great value and prestige are placed on the ability to dominate others" (p.80)
In any case, take the idea of honor and shame and use it where it makes sense. It exists in all cultures, but becomes stronger when tied into a tribal or communal culture.
Interestingly enough, the only one of the Muller's "three major worldviews" I don't see in the Genesis account is guilt. That was a nice piece of eisegesis.
The book goes south later on as Muller tries to understand how honor and shame make a difference to the Arab Muslim. He ends up making lots of over-generalizations whose truthfulness I question based on my own experience with Arabic Muslims. I was also disappointed with Muller's lack of understanding/interaction with the Qur'an. For example, being called a dog in public is dishonorable according to Muller because dogs are scavengers who eat the scraps and not the prime meat. However, in Islam, dogs are considered ritually unclean and the word "dog" is often used as an epithet. This seems like a much stronger understanding of why it is dishonorable to be called a dog, because it is a curse word. (Just like in English, for that matter.)
Muller takes small differences and makes them seem really large and relevant. For example, Christianity and Islam are very different because in Christianity things are "right and wrong" but in Islam they are only right and wrong based on the shame. "However, few things are considered right or wrong. Right and wrong in Islam are defined by the Qur'an." (p.81) How is that different from the Christian perception of the Bible? Christians know what is right and wrong from the Bible.
Especially since the authority he cites is Sania Amandy, a "world-renowned scholar" who doesn't exist in Wikipedia and whose last work, "Temperament and Character of the Arabs" was published in 1960. Even the title should tell us that that book is way out-of-date, and using psychological and sociological methods that are no longer considered appropriate, and would probably be considered offensive. Sentences like "This is because in the Arab value system, great value and prestige are placed on the ability to dominate others" (p.80)
In any case, take the idea of honor and shame and use it where it makes sense. It exists in all cultures, but becomes stronger when tied into a tribal or communal culture.
November 25, 2012
This is the second time I've read this book. It was given to me by an Indonesian friend after I moved there in 2009 and it proved to be incredibly helpful in both understanding the culture and understanding how to talk about my faith with my friends in a way that made sense to them. If you are a Christian and participate in anything cross-cultural, I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that you're doing yourself a disservice if you do not read this book.
Theological, practical, and extremely clear in his presentation, Roland Muller explains that all worldviews consist of 3 main constructs: Fear/Power, Guilt/Innocence, and Shame/Honor. All cultures contain all 3 constructs to some degree but some are more important than others depending on the culture. He uses this thesis to expand and give a vision for how Westerners might be more effective at sharing the Gospel with other cultural groups - particularly the Shame/Honor groups. Since Muller has spent a significant part of his life in Muslim cultural contexts, this is where he gleans most of his examples but he is careful not to narrow his focus too much. The book is applicable to any culture, anywhere.
FANTASTIC book! Buy a copy, underline, and re-read it every year or two as a refresher on culture and our powerful, perfect, and most honorable God!
Theological, practical, and extremely clear in his presentation, Roland Muller explains that all worldviews consist of 3 main constructs: Fear/Power, Guilt/Innocence, and Shame/Honor. All cultures contain all 3 constructs to some degree but some are more important than others depending on the culture. He uses this thesis to expand and give a vision for how Westerners might be more effective at sharing the Gospel with other cultural groups - particularly the Shame/Honor groups. Since Muller has spent a significant part of his life in Muslim cultural contexts, this is where he gleans most of his examples but he is careful not to narrow his focus too much. The book is applicable to any culture, anywhere.
FANTASTIC book! Buy a copy, underline, and re-read it every year or two as a refresher on culture and our powerful, perfect, and most honorable God!
November 27, 2012
In Honor and Shame, Roland Muller talks about the impact that sin has had on the human race in three ways, through guilt, shame and fear. I began reading this book with a bit of skepticism as I saw how Muller was interpreting the events in Genesis 2 and 3 in a way I have never heard before. Yet, as I read further, I began to see the message of the gospel expanding in its depth and scope. Muller’s explanation of how we are affected in life east of Eden has broadened the import of the gospel, how I think about it and how I will communicate it with others around me.
It is a short read and one I would highly recommend to those interested in beginning to form a robust understanding of sin, it's effects and the gospel.
It is a short read and one I would highly recommend to those interested in beginning to form a robust understanding of sin, it's effects and the gospel.
January 5, 2019
Growing up in one eastern and two western countries with exposure to both Far East and Muslim cultures I still had only seen the Gospel through a western right/wrong or good/bad mindset. After reading Mr. Muller’s book I have a much greater appreciation for the Father’s grace in addressing the Gospel to the honor/shame and power/fear world views throughout Scripture.
I became much more conscious of our western term of instruction to our kids when they go out to play or stay over at friends to be a “good boy/girl”. That really shows our right/wrong western world view. And I’m also aware for the first time of my own honor/shame mindset too.
Highly recommend this book.
I became much more conscious of our western term of instruction to our kids when they go out to play or stay over at friends to be a “good boy/girl”. That really shows our right/wrong western world view. And I’m also aware for the first time of my own honor/shame mindset too.
Highly recommend this book.
November 13, 2018
Great quick read.
This challenged my perspective on a right vs wrong (good/bad) western philosophy and it's limitations in relating to cultures and world views where Honor or Power take a higher priority to Reason and Rightness.
The most eye opening part for me was the realization that God, in His perfect sovereignty, has woven elements of all three of the major world philosophies (Goodness, Honor, Power) throughout scripture and the gospel.
This challenged my perspective on a right vs wrong (good/bad) western philosophy and it's limitations in relating to cultures and world views where Honor or Power take a higher priority to Reason and Rightness.
The most eye opening part for me was the realization that God, in His perfect sovereignty, has woven elements of all three of the major world philosophies (Goodness, Honor, Power) throughout scripture and the gospel.
February 7, 2012
A great book for those working in Eastern cultures where shame plays a huge role. A must-read in order to understand a properly contextualized gospel in our Arab setting.
February 23, 2013
Experienced a paradigm shift in my understanding of our guilt/ innocence Western thinking in contrast to the shame/ honor culture of the Arab world. Highly recommend!
April 22, 2023
In spite of only three stars, I would recommend reading this book. For whatever reason it was kind of a hard read for me. It is a short book, and I figured I would read it in a couple of hours, but it took me a little more to get through it. I think I was really grasping to understand exactly where the author was coming from.
It really probably clicked the most for me starting about chapter 6. This chapter was an honor and shame. One of the quotes is “once the person has understood how God is moving us from a position of shame to a position of honor, he can then move onto understanding God’s plan to move us from being guilty to a place of receiving redemption.”
I definitely desire to understand other cultures and want to know how to communicate in a way they can understand and be more receptive of.
It really probably clicked the most for me starting about chapter 6. This chapter was an honor and shame. One of the quotes is “once the person has understood how God is moving us from a position of shame to a position of honor, he can then move onto understanding God’s plan to move us from being guilty to a place of receiving redemption.”
I definitely desire to understand other cultures and want to know how to communicate in a way they can understand and be more receptive of.
February 18, 2018
Muller offers helpful insight into how God's gospel is often addressed in one facet. The best information of this book is his note of 3 dominating culture bases and how the gospel of Christ addresses each: 1) guilt/innocence; 2) honor/shame; and, 3) fear/power. This is a quick read and for any who want to begin to learn more about addressing human sin and it's guilt from breaking God's law, shame from breaking God's relationship, and fear from breaking God's trust. Living in Asia, I didn't find this as helpful to speak towards Chinese culture because Muller emphasizes examples from Middle East culture. But, it's begun me asking Chinese friends what makes them feel shame. I suspect that my gospel presentations will be more wholistic from this point out, and for that I rejoice.
June 8, 2018
This book provides a great starting point for exploring the worldview of honor and shame. Muller also opens up the topic of two other world views. Great biblical grounding and outside sources are used to expand these views. Muller truly does “unlock the door” and I am now excited to “open the door, and discover that the fields are indeed white unto harvest”.
November 7, 2021
I didn't think it was written as well as it could have been. The writing moved in circles and was repetitive. But despite this, I still highlighted a bunch and there was a lot of interesting pieces of culture to learn. I enjoyed seeing what pieces of Arab honor/shame culture I related to as an Asian American.
June 26, 2020
Great read - really will help those genuinely attempting to understand people raised in honor/shame cultures, or fear-based cultures. Muller has lived among them and has provided a very well-written and concise summary. Time well spent!
June 13, 2017
A fascinating look at cross-cultural application of the Gospel. A must read for anyone interested in foreign missions, or simply an interest in sociological mindsets - Highly recommend!
September 21, 2017
Eye opening book
December 18, 2017
Incredibly enlightening
Great metaphors and explanations
Great metaphors and explanations
September 8, 2018
Wow! Just an amazing book! If anyone has any desire to reach the Muslim world or take part in the culture, this book is an absolute must.
September 27, 2019
Foundational expose that informs the student of the Middle East. A must read for the Biblical teacher as well as those puzzled by the entire Middle East conflict
May 14, 2020
Good introduction to guilt/innocence, fear/power and shame/honor cultures with my details about shame and honor as that is the author's background.
June 13, 2020
I very good book, very useful for those thinking to serve in a different culture than their own.
May 27, 2023
This book expanded my understanding of how the Gospel addresses the issue of sin, and how to empathize with cultures different from mine
November 30, 2024
Really great overview of three different worldview perspectives and the importance of coming alongside others and sharing the good news with them from their perspective
June 9, 2013
Very interesting perspective. It gave me a lot to think about and has caused me to adjust many of the ways I view different cultures. I've heard the idea of Guilt/Innocence based cultures vs Shame/Honor based cultures, and vaguely understood what they meant, but this book brought true clarity to the differences and how those differences effect much of the world today. I definitely recommend the book to people, despite many of its editorial problems and much of the writing style.
March 31, 2011
This book really opened my eyes to Western/Arabic relational problems. I definitely recommend it to anyone considering over-seas work (missions, governmental relations, whatever), because it gives very valid insights into the way different cultures work. Kind of boring in places, but definitely worth the read =)
August 11, 2015
Learning how to share the 'good news' to another culture is hard. But this book has helped me learn that the Father speaks in many different ways the same message. He has created a way to be reconciled to Him and made new.
February 23, 2011
Great thesis, but I would love to hear more anecdotes and stories. Th shame/honor culture makes me think about gang behavior, too.
February 6, 2012
Eye-opening.
November 17, 2014
Excellent introduction to the differences between guilt based and shame based cultures with a small side note on fear/power based cultures.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews