Date of Award
2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Missiology
College
Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Program
Doctor of Missiology DMiss
First Advisor
Bruce L. Bauer
Second Advisor
Petr Činčala
Third Advisor
Susan Chand
Abstract
Problem
Seventh-day Adventists have experienced more than a century of success among Afro and Amerindian Guyanese people groups; however, Hindus remain the largest unreached people group and continue to be highly resistant to traditional Adventist evangelistic methods. The purpose of this study was to understand the beliefs and practices of rural Hindus and propose effective bridges of communication that are culturally relevant and biblically faithful.
Method
This study began by examining the biblical and thehological foundation for the cross-Cultural communication of the gospel. The dissertation then utilized the ethnographic approach to gather the data needed to determine determine worldview themes of Guyanese Hindus. Data were collected through public observation and semistructured interviews with fifteen participants, who shared their life experiences in context of religion, family, and traditions. Coded data analysis provided categories that reflected worldview themes of the participants.
Results
The worldview themes derived from the data analysis laid the foundation for a theoretical model for cross-cultural church planting among rural Guyanese Hindus. The themes included group orientation, power, and fear dimensions, honor and shame, and a sense of duty. The study identified bridges of communication that are consistent with biblical teachings and are culturally accepted in the Indian Guyanese context.
Conclusion
The proposed bridges of communication are a beginning step of understanding the best practices for engaging Guyanese Hindus. The research succinctly revealed the importance of understanding the beliefs, practices, and worldview of Guyanese Hindus before engaging them.
Subject Area
Missions to Hindus--Guyana; Seventh-day Adventists--Missions--Guyana; Seventh-day Adventists--Relations--Hinduism; Hinduism--Relations--Seventh-day Adventists; Church development, New--Guyana--Seventh-day Adventists
Recommended Citation
Shameerudeen, Clifmond Lloyd, "A Cross-Cultural Strategy for Church Planting Among Rural Hindus in Guyana" (2020). Dissertations DIS. 11.
https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmiss/11
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