When thinking about cultural transformation through the Word of God, there are two broad categories of change. There are changes that reflect more on what people internalize (the culture) and changes that happen more dramatically (the globalization effect). In my experience, most cultures share similarities in that they tend to value the Bible as the ultimate source of knowledge, life advice, and answers to all questions. Yet there are also many differences, especially among smaller, less-populated groups where differences can be profound, especially where questions of meaning and need arise. For instance, there are communities in the Global South where basic needs are often much more materialistic than in more urban communities, and in which Bible-based communities do not enjoy the same degree of approval by residents.

What this means for those working in the fields of diplomacy, as interpreters of religious materials, or as Bible-based educators is that we must constantly adjust our messages and our practices based on our understanding of each culture in order to make sure that the message we are conveying is indeed relevant and impactful. As a corollary, we also must continue to expand our messaging as our cultures become more complex and as our populations and nations become more diverse. As we have seen, certain Bible themes have been very popular in some cultures but not in others. Likewise, there are some Bible themes that seem to appeal only to particular age groups or to certain genders or ethnicities.

In this case, those working in cultural translation and interpretation or in Bible communities have an even bigger challenge: how to make sure that what they are translating and interpreting correctly reflects not just the intent and essence of the Bible but also the cultural norms of those they serve. It is important to remember that the Bible is translated not just in English but in a number of languages spoken throughout the world. Therefore, the Bible is like an instruction manual for all cultures. Furthermore, when translation and interpretation are done correctly, cultures can be brought into the literal reality of the Bible communities can begin to transform their communities and lift up the lives of those whose cultural background would otherwise have kept them from enjoying the full benefits of following Jesus.

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