Mission and the Cultural Other
A Closer Look
Foreword by Brandi Miller
Imprint: Cascade Books
Mission and the Cultural Other is a decolonial critique of a too often failed missionary enterprise. Rev. Dr. Randy Woodley, a former missionary and missiologist, writes both as an insider and an outsider. As an Indigenous person, a missionary among Native Americans, and a decolonial theologian with over thirty years of experience in various missionary movements, he has seen the best and worst that American mission has to offer. Before change can be made in a guarded system such as Christian mission, the critique must be pervasive and cut to the core of the problem. To truly understand the weakness of modern mission, we need to hear from those who have been its casualties.
Randy S. Woodley is a recognized activist/leader and teacher in the fields of Indigenous and intercultural studies, theology, ecology, and missiology. He is the author of several books, including including Indigenous Theology and the Western Worldview: A Decolonial Approach to Christian Doctrine, Becoming Rooted: One Hundred Days of Reconnecting with Sacred Earth, and Decolonizing Evangelicalism: An 11:59PM Conversation co-authored with Bo Sanders.
“Woodley provides an unflinching reading of white supremacy’s relationship to mission malpractice and a determination that Christian witness, shaped by ancient and Indigenous sources, may yet walk the harmony way. The vision of Mission and the Cultural Other is required reading if life-giving community is to thrive in our day.”
—Robert S. Heaney, Virginia Theological Seminary
“For those looking desperately for ways to engage in mission with gospel integrity, Woodley’s latest offering is essential reading. . . . Woodley proposes a new way of doing mission that is informed by the worldview and values of Indigenous peoples. Mission and the Cultural Other is a painful but ultimately beautiful and hopeful book. Read it, share it, assign it for courses, and most importantly, practice it for the sake of the gospel.”
—Al Tizon, North Park Theological Seminary
“Woodley has been an important voice for Indigenous followers of Jesus who wrestle with reclaiming our cultural identities and decolonizing our theologies. In this volume, he confronts the Western missionary paradigm, highlighting the ways it has made the good news into bad news for Indigenous peoples. As a corrective, he offers his own story of participating in this old missional paradigm and the way forward through to a more holistic and Jesus-shaped way of living the gospel.”
—H. Daniel Zacharias, Acadia Divinity College
“Woodley does a fascinating job of addressing the objectifying of missions. . . . The book is rooted in helping the reader see the humanity of Indigenous people through Christian lenses that are not exclusively white or white supremacist in thought. It is a must-read for those who are in love with Jesus and love Indigenous people.”
—James McGee III, president & CEO, Impact Movement