Cultural Description
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Liberty University *
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200
Subject
Arts Humanities
Date
Feb 20, 2024
Type
docx
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4
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Cultural Description: Describe the country and its culture by discussing its geographical location,
primary religion, current events, significant historical events, economic status, resources, etc. Then, describe at least 3 cultural artifacts that would be considered “top of the iceberg” facts (art,
music, dress, money, customs, food, etc.). (Write 100-300 words and cite at least one outside source).
Exceptional introduction of the country with a clear description of the country's culture.
Puerto Rico, or “Rich Port” Also known as "The Isle of Enchantment.” Its capital is San Juan. It is a very beautiful Caribbean Island and is a very popular tourist destination. The population is approximately 3,193,694. Spanish and English are the primary languages spoken in Puerto Rico, However, "Spanglish," is another language that is spoken in some communities it is a mixture of the English and Spanish Languages. Located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea, part of the Greater Antilles. The predominant religion in Puerto Rico is Roman Catholicism. One of the current events in Puerto Rico is San Juan Bautista Day. “At midnight celebrants dip their fully clothed bodies in water in order to bring themselves good luck.” (Worldmark Encyclopedia, 2023). A major historical event that took place was under the Jones Act of 1917, All Puerto Ricans were made citizens of the U.S. (Worldmark Encyclopedia, 2023). Natural gas and oil are two of the country's natural resources. The country produces a variety of crops including sugarcane and corn. Most of the country’s economy is generated by tourism. Puerto Rico is the largest producer of Rum in the world. For over 400 years, carved religious figures (Santos or saints) have been produced on the island. Puerto Rico is one of the world's largest producers of pharmaceuticals. What is your drive or motivation for wanting to share the gospel with someone from this culture?
How do you think cultural intelligence will help you to be more effective in sharing the gospel? (Write 100-200 words)
My drive for wanting to share the gospel with someone from this culture would be to fill any gaps or provide clarity where there may be confusion about the Gospel, salvation, redemption, or
the death burial, and resurrection of Christ, sin, grace, and the reality of heaven and hell. I am motivated to share the love of Christ with whomever I interact with without bias, prejudice, or judgment and hopeful that my own experiences with Christ will be impactful in helping to transform lives. Cultural intelligence will help me become more effective in sharing the gospel by aiding and providing me with an understanding of what is needed to better communicate and interact with people of other cultures outside my own. Cultural intelligence will aid me in learning what not to
do or say when interacting with others, being cognizant of how my responses and gestures are perceived and received by others, and understanding the importance of educating myself to engage effectively with all God’s people as we are reminded in Galatians 3:28 (New International Version) “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Discuss the Cultural Systems: For each of the 2 cultural systems that you chose above, discuss the following questions: What evidence shows this cultural system? How might this cultural system affect their worldview or understanding of the gospel? What biblical themes might be relevant to someone with this cultural system? (For each system, write 100-200 words and cite at
least 1 outside source)
The family cultural system of the Latin American country of Puerto Rico is Kinship. Family honor is of primary importance to Puerto Ricans, and they value an extended family or modified extended family…Family, kinship, and friendship play a major role in both social and business interactions.
(Serpa, 2005). This cultural system is beneficial to understanding how society and individuals from different cultures view familial relationships and the importance of believing and growing in Christ as a family unit. (Acts 16:31-32 New International Version) “They replied,
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and all the others in his house.”
The Education System in the Puerto Rican culture is formal in nature. In Puerto Rico, where compulsory education is deemed very important, sixty percent of the population has received a high school diploma or better.
Puerto Rico has “one of the highest” college education rates in the world, with 56% of college-age students attending institutions of higher learning (Serpa, 2005). Education is a very important aspect of this culture it will be open to gaining new knowledge from different perspectives and cultures. The established mandatory protocol for learning within this cultural system is beneficial to understanding and being open to the gospel of Christ. (Proverbs 9:9 AMP) “Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.”
Demographics
Discuss the Cultural Value Orientations: For each of the 3 cultural value orientations that you chose above, discuss the following questions. What might this value orientation look like in everyday life in that culture? How might it affect a person’s worldview or understanding of the gospel? What biblical themes might be applicable to that value orientation? (For each value orientation, write 100-200 words and cite at least one outside source).
Collectivism: This cultural value places high importance on the goals of groups and personal relationships. People of Latin American Culture tend to put the needs of others ahead of their own. The positive influence of Collectivism teaches the valuable lesson of caring for one another. God has called us to nurture, and give to those who may be in need, be in fellowship with those within our churches and extend love and care to the communities that surround us without bias or prejudice. (Hebrews 13:16 NIV) “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
https://www.compellingtruth.org/individualism-vs-collectivism.html
What might this value orientation look like in everyday life in that culture? How might it affect a
person’s worldview or understanding of the gospel? What biblical themes might be applicable to that value orientation?
High-Power Distance: This cultural value places high importance on differences in status. Honors referent powers and perceive a clear delineation between superiors and subordinates and between the young and the old. Values obedience in children (Serpa 2005).
High Power Distance in Latin American Culture is influential in teaching people and children the importance of obeying the law, and those in authority and honoring parents and elders. It is biblical to honor authority figures and God has also commanded that children obey their parents. The fifth commandment says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.” When teaching people and children to honor authority figures and obey their parents is teaching them important biblical principles that ultimately lead to the same respect and honor for Christ his authority and the sacrifice he made for humankind.
Cooperative: This cultural value places high importance on collaboration, encouragement, and family. It places value on people, quality of life, and nurturing behaviors. In this culture, Individual achievement is not considered as valuable as family loyalty.
It is quite common to find three generations living under the same roof.
Placing elderly relatives in nursing facilities is
unusual (Serpa 2005).
Cooperative values in the Latin American culture can be influential in teaching people the values that Christ also cared for and desired for his people. He cared about the well-being of his people, their health, and the importance of unity, strength, and oneness among his people. The Bible is clear God has called us to share the gospel with all his people, to live in peace, and to love one another as he has loved us and to walk in unity. “Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:2-4 New International Version)
Discuss at least 2 socio-linguistic characteristics of this culture (1 related to verbal communication and 1 related to non-verbal communication). How might these characteristics affect the way you share the gospel? (Write 100-300 words and cite at least one source).
An exceptionally thorough discussion of at least 1 verbal and 1 non-verbal socio-linguistic characteristic and the way they are manifested in culture.
Communication is an important tool and being able to communicate effectively especially when sharing the gospel is of the utmost importance because we are sharing the Good News of Jesus
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Christ. Communication is different from culture to culture and understanding the characteristics of verbal and non-verbal communication can make the difference in how the gospel is shared and
received. Knowledge about the language and communication of another culture beforehand can be very helpful when engaging with that culture. How we say what we say in any culture can damage our testimony. For instance, when speaking in Spanish, Hispanics use a lot of diminutives to convey their meaning more softly or affectionately. There are different forms of expression in Spanish that communicate varying levels of courtesy and formality.
In casual social
situations, Hispanics may talk over one another and allow their laughter to grow very loud.
(Evason 2018)
. Knowledge is key when interacting and sharing with people within a culture outside of our own.
Non-verbal communication carries just as much weight as verbal communication and body language can play a major role in how a message is received either negatively or positively. Many Hispanics are generally very tactile people. Open displays of affection between couples are common and acceptable. Direct eye contact is expected and appreciated. This is normal and is not meant to imply any particular connotation other than interest and sincerity (Evason 2018) People will not forget how you make them feel therefore negative undertones and aggressive facial and body gestures should always be avoided to have successful interactions with God's people. When sharing God’s word, the message is most important and the messenger should handle it with care and sincerity of heart as we are pointing people to Christ in our walk as well as our talk.