C.Lirette CUL 2200 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Prof.

Craig Jones 22 May 2021

READING REPORT WORKSHEET (6-1)

Reading: Chapter 2 of “Introducing Cultural Anthropology” and Chapters 1-3 of “Cross-
Cultural Servant Hood.”

Please answer the following four (4) questions in response to your reading during a
select week. You may only complete one report per week. Please see the course
syllabus for more instructions

1. Give three or four observations/comments/reactions to the reading by way of carefully crafted

sentences, demonstrating that you have engaged with the overall content of the text. You can cite a
quote, but you should expand on the quote with your own thinking or critique – you may be critical
(“I think that…”) or merely descriptive (“The author says…”).
I perceive a connection between the Tacit Ethnocentrism that Introducing Cultural
Anthropology speaks of on page 37 and the various stories spoken of in Cross-Cultural
Servanthood, where either the author or his wife recognizes the position, they are teaching
from afterwards. It makes me ask the question, “In what ways have I unintentionally done
this as well?”

I reacted strongly to Cross Cultural-Servanthood, when Duane Elmer spoke of North

American culture on page 17 and the “hidden and evasive superiority,” that can go along
with it. There is a term for this idea in the U.S. called, “American Exceptionalism.” The
concept is hotly debated, but is embraced by some people of the United States and seems
to indicate the type of cultural superiority that Introducing Cultural Anthropology speaks of.

I was struck by the quote from Cross Cultural Servanthood on page 32, “Humility is a
mandated attitude for all believers everywhere; however, the way humility is expressed
takes on a cultural face.” To me, this got to the heart of the idea of cultural relativism that
Introducing Cultural Anthropology, speaks to. Humility may look different between two
different cultures.
I like the clear way that Introducing Cultural Anthropology differentiates between cultural
relativism and moral relativism. One’s upbringing greatly impacts how one views and
interprets the word “relativism,” so helping the reader to understand the definition as it
relates to culture is helpful. For me the quote on page 33 where Boas argues viewing culture
“holistically,” was very helpful.

2. State two or three questions you have that may require further study, or that you would like to
hear more discussion around. Each one of your questions must include a) a clear question and b) 1-
2 sentences of discussion/further description. Provide specific citations, if possible.

What are particular ways in which Christians in the United States have proselytized their

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 C.Lirette CUL 2200 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Prof. Craig Jones 22 May 2021

culture when thinking it was their faith? “Anthropologists emphasize that all people, and all
religions, exist within cultures and are influenced by culture in ways they are often unable to
perceive” (Howell 44). Follow up question to this: how can the church help the average
believe to understand the difference between their own cultural tendencies and their faith?
It seems to me the Church/Christians have long struggled with confusing various cultural
nuances as points of faith. Elmers is frank about his own struggles with this in Cross
Cultural Servanthood.
What are some instances in Scripture that communicate Biblical truth through the culture of
its time? And/or how do I communicate those Biblical truths in my particular culture? Elmers
uses the example of washing feet on page 33 to communicate humility. “In that culture,
washing the feet of others would symbolize such an attitude. But in another culture, some
other act might more appropriately convey the same truth.” What are other
instances/examples of this concept in Scripture?
How has ethnocentrism shaped various denominations and Christian churches around the
United States? As an example, there are differences between the Black Church and White
Evangelicalism. They have different priorities in worship, community, serving, and politics.
How/why did these various differences develop and come to fruition. “Ethnocentrism is the
use of one’s own culture to measure another’s, putting one’s own culture (ethno) at the
center (centrism) of interpretation, typically devaluing and invariably mischaracterizing the
other culture” (Howell 36).

3. Give one or two stories/examples from your own experience - such as "This reminds me of a
time when ..." In other words, try to relate the theory to your own life experiences or ministry
practices.
I know that I myself am guilty of Tacit Ethnocentrism in big and small ways. A simple but
funny example was how when I moved to the South and asked for “pop" all the time when I
wanted a Dr. Pepper, Pepsi, or Coke. I thought it was just the word that everyone uses. But
I was often good-naturedly teased for not saying “soda" or “Coke.” I had the assumption
about hot dogs too, I thought all hot dogs were Vienna beef from Chicago and was sadly
mistaken. I eventually came to understand that Vienna Beef hot dogs are unique to
Chicago.
I remember coming to Texas and having a generally negative opinion about guns and
hunting (that I kept to myself). I could not understand why people were so crazy about
hunting. I came to understand though that deer, pigs, and other animals were not the
innocent creatures that I grew up with as a child. Deer and pigs, for example, were
destructive to the land, farming, and ranching. Packs of hogs could also be harmful to
people. For Texans hunting is not just about shooting things, but a responsibility they feel to
the land (especially if they own it). As I never really understood the cultural underpinnings of
hunting before, I just assumed it was because people in the South just liked shooting
things. I am ashamed to admit the superiority I felt towards hunters.

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 C.Lirette CUL 2200 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Prof. Craig Jones 22 May 2021

4. Your strongest "Aha!"—you might include a sentence or two that would make a good quote from
your reading if you were using it in a longer paper. Explain why this was a new insight for you, why
it is important, how will it help you develop more knowledge on the subject.
“Usually, superiority appears in disguises that pretend to be virtues” (Elmer 17). I felt
particularly guilty of this truth when I juxtapose it against my Hunting story from the previous
section. I viewed not killing animals as a virtue (despite eating meat) and looked down on
hunters who loved hunting.

I have never thought of how superiority might hijack virtue for its own means. But, I think it
is important to understand this central point as it relates to Christians sharing their faith, for
me in my own growth in recognizing pride and a superior attitude in my soul, as well as the
sin that threatens the word of sharing the gospel. I think it will help me develop more
knowledge as it has given me new eyes to see my own sin at work. As well as how sin may
work in others and the new responsibility to act better.

A close second for Aha moments was “We do not exist outside of culture; we exist inside of
culture” (Howell 44).

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C.Lirette CUL 2200 - Introduction to Cultural Studies Prof. Craig Jones 22 May 2021

Works Cited

Elmer, Duane. Cross-Cultural Servanthood: Serving the World in Christlike Humility.

InterVarsity Press: Downers Grove, IL. 2006. Kindle Edition.

Howell, Brian M and Jenell Paris. Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective,

2nd Edition. Baker Academic: Grand Rapids, MI. 2019. Kindle Edition.