Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective

 —Reviewed by Douglas Hayward, professor of anthropology and intercultural studies at Biola University’s Cook School of Intercultural Studies.

Brian M. Howell and Jenell Williams Paris. Baker Academic, P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516, 288 pages, 2011, $29.99.

 —Reviewed by Douglas Hayward, professor of anthropology and intercultural studies at Biola University’s Cook School of Intercultural Studies.

There has been a long-standing need for an introductory textbook in cultural anthropology that will meet the needs of first and second-year college students studying in a Christian college setting. Introducing Cultural Anthropology covers the full range of subjects normally associated with the study of cultural anthropology and does so in a manner that intentionally seeks to integrate a Christian faith perspective with an academic discipline. Indeed, here is a textbook Christian professors can use without fear of having to confront hostile or offensive assaults on Christian beliefs or values.

Brian Howell and Jenell Williams Paris have sought to be as inclusive as possible within the confines of a short (260 pages, 12 chapters) textbook. Major concepts, terminology, and perceptions have all been introduced. Each chapter begins with a clear set of course objectives and ends with a complete list of important anthropological terms and corresponding definitions.

The authors have liberally illustrated key concepts by referencing the outstanding work of Christian anthropologists working in the field and have generously added sidebars or included within the main text relevant implications for a better understanding of portions of scripture and their application for Christian living. For professors wanting still further occasion for discussion, each chapter ends with several scripture passages with corresponding thoughts to generate additional occasions for the integration of faith and learning.

Throughout the text, the authors have studiously presented anthropological concepts free from ideological biases. They have sought to avoid promoting one perspective over another in controversial topics and speak generally in regard to Christian and biblical differences of opinions.

Not every reader or professor of anthropology will be fully satisfied with this book. It generally ignores the popular concept of worldview studies that appear prominently in the writings of Charles Kraft or Paul Hiebert.

It will also frustrate readers interested in social structuralism in that it fails to address the varieties of kinship systems around the world. It is also all-too-brief in describing variations of social systems that impact leadership styles such as segmentary lineage, corvee labor (especially in the context of emerging city states and early civilizations), or the grid/group theory of Mary Douglas as elaborated by Sherwood Lingenfelter.

Finally, some readers, particularly younger college students may find this textbook to be dull inasmuch as it focuses heavily upon introducing basic anthropological terminology without giving much attention to how such behaviors help us to better understand human nature, or the whys and wherefores of human behavior.

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EMQ, Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 120, 122. Copyright  © 2012 Evangelism and Missions Information Service (EMIS).  All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced or copied in any form without written permission from EMIS.

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