Graduates in the Cultural Anthropology program from Missional University will be prepared to serve the mission of God in several ways:

First, they will better understand how the gospel is essential in all societies, although it is expressed culturally.  There is a wide variety in this expression, which needs to be carefully examined by both the insiders and outsiders.  As such, it must be biblically based but also relevant to people in different parts of the world.  God’s revelation is always expressed in a cultural context in each generation throughout history.  Therefore, an understanding of culture is necessary in order to effectively minister and serve.

Students will also see how all religions have a social function.  These beliefs are certainly held by individuals but are also a part of group knowledge and practices.  By studying symbolic anthropology, it will be clear how these shared ideas form a common ideology that is difficult to change.  It is very important for people to feel that they are a part of a group, and this includes their acceptance of cultural norms and cultural knowledge, as well as standards of behavior, values and morality, and allegiances and loyalty to others.

Thus, Christians must determine what parts of a culture are consistent with biblical standards, which parts are neutral, and which are contrary to biblical standards.  There is no purely Christian society – all are a mix. The gospel can be a part of culture, but it is over every culture, and so it cannot be equated with any one culture.  The mission of God is to save the lost and disciple believers, and this will certainly mean rejecting parts of society that are inconsistent with the biblical mandate for all Christians.  However, this should be based on careful examination, and not just on whether beliefs or behavior are different from the ones we follow.

The program will assist students to apply these insights as they reach deeper understandings of culture.  The courses will provide cross-cultural insights and ways to “navigate” between their own society and other ways of living.  In addition, it also will facilitate the same scrutiny of the home society of the student.  By becoming aware of our own norms, beliefs and assumptions, they can become more open and accepting of others and their behavior.  This positive attitude is something that can be developed, both by experience and by academic work on the subject.  

In addition, graduates will understand that individuals come to Christian faith in a variety of ways.  There are some people that are drawn to faith by an intellectual decision, others by an emotional commitment, some through a psychological struggle, and others through a spiritual crisis.  Some are influenced by their social group or do it in the company of other people.  But all these ways are mediated through culture, and its assumptions about ways of making decisions and making commitments.  Although the Western church generally views this through an individualistic interpretative framework, elsewhere in the world a collectivist interpretation can be more common. 

Students also will examine some of the linguistic issues of biblical terms and theology, which is especially important in serving the Mission of God. The course in Language, Culture and Thought will be relevant in this regard, as it will review how people understand Christian concepts and symbols and the meaning of these ideas in their world view.  Their culture is the point of reference in their lives.  As such, a study of the social context of theology is a way to comprehend how they come to trust the Lord.  Trust is also a socially defined construct, and the way it occurs – and how it is expressed – is best understood through a cultural lens.  Students will be able to apply these concepts in new settings, to make ministry even more effective.