The Gospel–Found in Translation

When our evangelism is lost in translation, it might be time to consider how we can cross the communication divide?

UK tourists have a pretty terrible reputation when it comes to our behaviour in other countries. “Brits abroad” are often stereotyped not only as the ones most likely to drop litter and binge drink, but also who expect others to speak our language.

When met with a non-English speaker, “Brits abroad” tend to resort to one of two methods of communication, neither of which involves making an effort to learn the native language.

Method one is to speak more intensely, carefully enunciating ev-er-y syll-a-ble. Method two is to speak MORE LOUDLY, as though it were the faculty of hearing, not the linguistic education of the listener that were lacking.

If neither method achieves the desired result, “Brits abroad” tend to walk away with a dismissive shrug whilst, ironically, complaining about the other person’s rudeness in not learning our language.

Sometimes, the church adopts a similar attitude to evangelism.

Christians often behave as if the world were our own colonial empire, and the natives should be reasonably expected to understand and speak our language.

But words commonly used in our church signage, our evangelistic preaching, and our evangelistic resources often fail to convey the meaning we assume or meet with the comprehension and conversion figures we expect. Our messages are too frequently recycled from previous generations when the church could rely on a different cultural authority and a wider familiarity with the Bible and Christianity.

When they are met only with blank or confused expressions, we often believe that if we just shout the message more loudly or repeat it more intensely, then surely we should be heard and understood. If, finally, those efforts do not pay off, I have ...