Adapting an Evangelical Lutheran Homiletical Approach to Communicate More Effectively in a Pakistani Cultural Setting

Abstract

There have been many studies on an honor/shame culture in the fields of missiology, theology, and hermeneutics. Scholars have diligently labored to research how to apply biblical hermeneutics and methodology in an honor/shame culture. Those studies serve as scaffolding for this thesis because the methodology of interpreting biblical texts is vital. After we have established the methodology and doctrine, i.e., looking at the scriptures with a Christo-centric attitude, how do we properly communicate that in an honor/shame culture such as we find in Pakistan? That is where the rubber hits the road. My research is focused on the homiletical method that is used in Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary and WELS as it is currently being applied in Pakistan. Little research has been done on an evangelical Lutheran homiletical methodology for an honor/shame culture, so the purpose of this study is to see how it may be applied to improve the preaching style among WELS mission churches in Pakistan.