By Jayson Georges and Mark D. Baker,  InterVarsity Press, 295 pp. (Accessed on Hoopla application)

Have you ever put on a pair of colored glasses and noted that not only do a few items change color, but nearly everything is now viewed in a different hue? I suspect that will be the case for many readers of this book, especially those from the Western world, who have never noticed this Honor-shame palette with which the Bible was written. Authors Georges and Baker start by giving us some rather shocking stories to help awaken us to the reality of the “honor-shame” cultures all around us. This nomenclature “refers to collectivistic societies where the community tends to shame and exclude people who fail to meet group expectations, and reward loyal members with honor. In contrast, an ‘innocence-guilt culture’, as commonly encountered in Western, Anglo contexts, is more individualistic. It relies on conscience, justice and laws to regulate social behavior.” (Pg15) Perhaps many Western Christians will wonder why they should pay attention to this book if they are not planning on moving overseas. One main reason is that “In 1900, 82 percent of all Christians were white; by 2050, about 80 percent of all Christians will be nonwhite.”(Pg17) The authors continue by pointing out that within the US, the population has become far more culturally diverse and the dynamics of the “honor-shame” cultures must be understood in order to effectively witness and make disciples. Additionally, “People commonly note that Western culture is becoming increasingly shame driven. Even the anthropologist who pioneered the ‘West is guilt-based, East is shame-based’ cultural dichotomy already observed in 1946, ‘But shame is an increasingly heavy burden in the United States and guilt is less extremely felt than in earlier generations.’.” (85) Chapter one focuses largely on how widespread the “honor-shame” cultures are and their importance today. Chapters two and three explain many differences between shame cultures and guilt cultures, while showing how honor-shame cultures function. Chapters four and five focus on the nearly universal presence of honor-shame culture cues throughout the Bible. Noteworthy are three different indices (at the end of the book) with lists or stories of particularly relevant Scripture passages. Chapters six through eleven strive to be practical, illustrating how the mission of Christians often revolves around, or at least involves, the honor-shame culture. The authors also give eight practical “commandments” for relationships within honor-shame cultures. Georges and Baker have both spent significant time overseas and seen the dynamics of “honor-shame” cultures played out before them. For this reason, they are able to give many personal anecdotes, examples, and illustrations to help enlighten us, the readers. Without these personal stories, the book would probably feel quite dry, but still useful. Their observations and insights make the book highly enjoyable and practical. I find particularly helpful the recognition that this is not a black and white issue, but more of a sliding scale. To be honest, that dynamic doesn’t seem to be considered much throughout the book, but it is explained at the beginning (Pg 23). Nearly every “honor-shame” culture still includes some sense of guilt. Probably every “innocence-guilt” culture still has some ideas of honor and shame. The book is well researched, including a large section of end-notes, and is not a difficult read. I especially loved the sections that explained the Gospel in light of honor and shame. “As the honorable one, Jesus was also the honoring one who opened new vistas of honor for humanity. His words revealed God’s code of honor, and his deeds restored the dignity of the shamed. Jesus spent his years of ministry reincorporating the socially disenfranchised into the new people of God by removing their disgrace and granting a new honorable identity. Jesus conducted a ministry of status reversal. His life, death and resurrection finally solved the problem of shame and restored honor, as God promised to do through Israel.” (Pg76) I would recommend this book first and foremost to those preparing to move to the “10-40 window” since nearly all of the peoples in that area would be far into this spectrum. Secondly, I would strongly suggest that Christians who are regularly reaching out to, or engaged with, peoples from an “honor-shame” culture read this. Finally, every western believer who understands that their mandate, as a member of Christ’s body, is to make disciples of all nations would benefit from this tome.