Guilt, Shame and the Gospel

"Guilt, Shame, and the Gospel," explores the missiological imperative to re-evaluate traditional gospel presentations for global Christian missions, especially for cultures where honor and shame are primary social drivers. It contrasts the Guilt-Innocence (G-I) framework, common in Western societies and focused on law and justice, with the Honor-Shame (H-S)framework, prevalent in collectivistic societies and centered on reputation and community. While acknowledging the H-S lens's value in biblical interpretation, the text critically examines how some H-S gospel formulations may distort core doctrines like sin, atonement, and justification by prioritizing relational concepts over the forensic aspects of salvation. Ultimately, it advocates for a holistic soteriology that integrates both guilt and shame to reflect the fullness of the biblical witness.