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Anthropologist’s testimony

Peter J. Loewen

EDUCATING TIGER: My Spiritual and Intellectual Journey Jacob A. Loewen. Hillsboro, Kan.: Center for MB Studies, 2000. 346 pp

In the words of this retired missionary/anthropologist author, “this book represents a personal testimony of self-observation and learning.” Although the book reflects that he has learned much, he humbly acknowledges that he is still learning. Using a phrase from the foreword, this book is “a testimony to the tigerish qualities of ruthless persistence that it takes to be honest with oneself.”

Some of the major questions that are addressed include: Is Christian conversion a crisis-decision experience or could it also be a process? Is it necessarily individual or could it also be a “group” experience? How does God’s Spirit work? (“The Spirit of God refuses to be channelled by human design”) Do we seek Him in a charismatic experience, or rather hear Him as “a still, small voice?” How can we effectively share our faith, especially in a cross-cultural experience? How much expectation do we reflect of discovering new truth in our church experience? How much of our truth is wrapped in our own culture? Could a metaphorical shift open up new horizons of understanding of what to expect in our church experience? Do other religions also have truth? Should prayer be seen more as getting oneself in tune with God’s design and purpose? What prayer works? How do we effectively resolve guilt and process forgiveness? The copious multicultural illustrations of views expressed make this reading an enriching experience.

The cross-cultural missions context of most of this book makes it particularly interesting for those who have served in a similar setting. I would recommend this book to all pastors, as well as to all those currently involved in or anticipating involvement in cross-cultural ministries. The author’s questioning of some of our “sacred cows” is serious business, based on observation and reflection in multiple cultural settings. His sometimes questioning and subsequent appreciation of his own Mennonite Brethren heritage is refreshing.

Peter J. Loewen is a member of Niagara Falls (Ont.) Christian Fellowship. He and his wife Eva served under MBMS International in Colombia from 1966 to 1998, mainly in education and church planting.

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Last modified January 9, 2003.

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