The Fear is Gone!

Africa has long been allocated the category of a 'fear culture' - out of the options of a 'fear', 'shame' or 'guilt' emphasis culture.  We have argued that this is definitely not the whole story and may be masking the real cultural issues rooted in honour and shame.

We have proposed that Africa is also a shame emphasis culture and that the fear observed is really a fear of bringing shame and being shamed. Right from childhood a child is 'programmed' to fear shame. Discipline is primarily to show displeasure for a child who is bringing shame. 

However, most of our 'culturally contextualised' missions emphasis in Africa has been to address 'fear issues'.  Yet the church around us cries out as to why so many sinful practices still abound when missions has been here so long?

I had an interesting converstation a few days back with one of the young guys who has completed with us the draft of the 'Highest Honour' Discipleship booklet we are in the process of producing with our local co-worker.

Part way through the conversation, he paused and looked directly at me and said "I no longer have that fear in me" [of truthfully saying what he needs to say to those 'above' him in society].  This young man exhibits a fresh confidence.  His ability to properly respect others in a God honouring way without the 'fear of man' has become a real example to us.

This is very interesting.  The intentional discipleship 'Highest Honour' course has hardly even mentioned the issue of fear.  It's primary emphasis is dealing with honour and shame - of helping the reader to understand the greatness of God and how He should receive the Highest Honour in our lives.

Yet this young man says, after doing this course, that in his everyday encounters, the 'fear' is gone.  Addressing the honour/shame dynamics lifted the fear!