African Proverbs Reveal Christianity in Culture

In many oral cultures local proverbs are highly regarded for their wisdom and prized for their aesthetic expression. In this study Jay Moon provides an in-depth look at the use of local proverbs among the Builsa culture of Ghana, West Africa. In particular, the author's research shows how local proverbs can facilitate contextualized expressions of Christianity that are both biblically authentic and culturally relevant. The process of initiating and sustaining this form of expression is explicated with the help of an engaging narrative, providing valuable insights for those striving for genuine and meaningful expression of Christ in culture.

This study will be especially beneficial to the missionary community, particularly for the purposes of appreciating oral literature in primary oral cultures, finding proper roles in the contextualization process, identifying cultural values via the window of local proverbs, training missionaries in cultural understanding, and tailoring discipleship training to incorporate significant aspects of orality


""Drawing on solid theoretical foundations in anthropology, epistemology, and communications, Jay Moon takes us on an exciting journey into the world of African proverbs to demonstrate how to engage Scripture with culture. Written as a riveting story with missiological reflection, this is the practical guide to doing contextualization we've been waiting for. The implications of his application of contextualization go well beyond Africa and so this book is a 'must read' for any serious student of contextualization and missiology.""
--Darrell Whiteman
Resident Missiologist and Vice President for Mission Personnel and Preparation
The Mission Society

""Jay's work with Ghanaian proverbs is one of the deepest, most practical examples of missionary teaching/learning I have ever seen. Getting down to the proverbial level of local language and culture has paid off handsomely in his situation. Now he has done missionaries and local leaders young and old a great favor by sketching why it worked, how it worked, and how it can work for them. What could be more useful for mission today? Read and do!""
--Stan Nussbaum
Staff Missiologist
GMI Research Services


W. Jay Moon is Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies and the director of the Wesley House of Studies at Sioux Falls Seminary. He was formerly a missionary with SIM in Ghana from 1992 to 2005.