Learning From The Stranger: Christian Faith And Cultural Diversity

by David I. Smith

Publisher:

Eerdmans

, 2009

Overview

Cultural differences increasingly impact our everyday lives. Virtually none of us today interact exclusively with people who look, talk, and behave like we do. David Smith here offers an excellent guide to living and learning in our culturally interconnected world.

Learning from the Stranger articulates what “culture” is, discusses how cultural difference affects our perceptions and behavior, and explores how Jesus’ call to love our neighbor involves learning from cultural strangers. Built around three chapter-length readings of extended biblical passages (from Genesis, Luke, and Acts), the book skillfully weaves together theological and practical concerns, and Smith’s engaging text is peppered with stories from his own extensive firsthand experience.

This insightful book is particularly pertinent for today’s college students, although many other thoughtful readers will also resonate with Smith as he encourages the virtues of humility and hospitality in our personal interactions -- and shows how actually learning from strangers, not just imparting our own ideas to them, is an integral part of Christian discipleship.

Key Features

• Offers an excellent guide to living and learning.
• Discusses how cultural difference affects our perceptions and behavior.
• Explores how Jesus’ call to love our neighbor involves learning from cultural strangers.

Praise for Print Edition

A radically different introduction to the study of language and culture from a Christian theological perspective... Smith’s most powerful argument is that learning other languages and cultures is a task for ordinary Americans, not just those who hope to serve as cross-cultural missionaries... I recommend this book as an excellent, theologically grounded introduction to cultural learning for use in courses on cultural diversity in Christian colleges and other faith-based communities.

--Sherwood Lingenfelter — Fuller Theological Seminary

What I so admire about the work of David Smith is his unique ability to take the complexities of postmodern scholarship and translate them with clarity for contemporary students. In Learning from the Stranger Smith tackles the elusive and ubiquitous ‘culture,’ exploring how those of us committed to living for Christ must grapple with our own conceptualizations of the stranger as a way of understanding who we are and how we interact with those around us. Important reading for today’s college students.

--Terry A. Osborn — Fordham University

Product Details

• Title: Learning from the Stranger: Christian Faith and Cultural Diversity
• Author: David I. Smith
• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Print Publication Date: 2009
• Logos Release Date: 2023
• Pages: 186
• Era: era:contemporary
• Language: English
• Resources: 1
• Format: Digital › Logos Reader Edition
• Subjects: Multiculturalism › Religious aspects--Christianity; Christianity and culture
• Resource ID: LLS:LRNNGSTRNDVRSTY
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Metadata Last Updated: 2023-07-17T18:00:29Z

About David I. Smith

David I. Smith is director of the Kuyers Institute for Christian Teaching and Learning and professor of education at Calvin University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, and he serves as editor of the International Journal of Christianity and Education. His books include On Christian Teaching, Teaching and Christian Practices (with James K. A. Smith) and Teaching and Christian Imagination (with Susan Felch).