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The Godless Delusion: Europe and Africa

Paperback |English |1532614985 | 9781532614989

The Godless Delusion: Europe and Africa

Paperback |English |1532614985 | 9781532614989
Overview

What if the whole "God delusion" approach is a neo-colonial imposition at the linguistic and philosophical level? Could it lead to unmitigated disasters in intercultural communication and development work? This paradigm-challenging book points to the necessity, in light of contemporary impasse in intercultural understanding, of God's involvement in the encounter between the West and the majority world, especially Africa. Failure to account for God, the cradle of imagination operative in human hearts and minds has resulted in a black hole that deeply troubles intercultural engagement between the West and others. While drawing on his personal long-term field experience in Africa, the author cites contemporary scholarly Western literature on philosophy, anthropology, "religion," and beyond. Ironically, the West, which values dualism, instead of seeking to share it with majority world people, wrongly presupposes its universality. A proactive compliance to the countering of "racism" and to the demotion of impacts of human imagination on understanding contribute to this. Effective education must be from known to unknown, this text emphasizes. Enabling African people to build understanding on their own epistemological foundations might be more important than exporting of pre-packaged languages and educational systems from the West.
ISBN: 1532614985
ISBN13: 9781532614989
Author: Jim Harries
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2017-07-07
Language: English
PageCount: 188
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.43 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 7.2 ounces

What if the whole ""God delusion"" approach is a neo-colonial imposition at the linguistic and philosophical level? Could it lead to unmitigated disasters in intercultural communication and development work? This paradigm-challenging book points to the necessity, in light of contemporary impasse in intercultural understanding, of God's involvement in the encounter between the West and the majority world, especially Africa. Failure to account for God, the cradle of imagination operative in human hearts and minds has resulted in a black hole that deeply troubles intercultural engagement between the West and others. While drawing on his personal long-term field experience in Africa, the author cites contemporary scholarly Western literature on philosophy, anthropology, ""religion,"" and beyond. Ironically, the West, which values dualism, instead of seeking to share it with majority world people, wrongly presupposes its universality. A proactive compliance to the countering of ""racism"" and to the demotion of impacts of human imagination on understanding contribute to this. Effective education must be from known to unknown, this text emphasizes. Enabling African people to build understanding on their own epistemological foundations might be more important than exporting of pre-packaged languages and educational systems from the West. ""Jim Harries has some wonderfully illuminating stories to tell about how the Western world looks from Africa. Regardless of how far one may agree with Jim's analyses of the issues at stake, we in the West need to hear these stories as we reflect on our own states of faith and disbelief."" --Richard Briggs, St John's College, Durham, United Kingdom ""Jim's critique of anthropocentric western theology is welcome, controversial, and born of deep personal insight. This may catalyze fruitful debate concerning the legitimacy of seeking to deny God's existence by mere human belief. It is my prayer that his African insights, shaped by a sharp European academic mind, plus over two decades of living and serving as an African, might challenge us in the West to explore new realms in debates about God."" --Clive G. Burnard, Senior Pastor, Mutley Baptist Church, Plymouth, United Kingdom ""Harries never pulls punches. In this energetic work, he continues this tradition of taking on difficult issues in ways that may simultaneously please, surprise, and annoy you. He takes the reader on a dizzying journey through diverse issues including language, worldview, economics, racism, post-colonialism, perception and reality, and short-term missions. Intimate facility with African culture and language make the book especially helpful. Agree or disagree, Harries challenges us to thoughtful awareness of critical issues."" --Christopher Flanders, Abilene Christian University Jim Harries has degrees in theology, biblical interpretation, development, and agriculture. Following a call to serve God in Africa, Jim has lived in Zambia and then Kenya since 1988. Jim's ministry to indigenous churches, which includes Bible teaching and relationship building, is engaged using the Luo and Swahili languages. Jim's articles and books include New Foundations for Appreciating Africa (2016). Jim chairs the Alliance for Vulnerable Mission (vulnerablemission.org).

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  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

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  • Downloadable software products
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To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
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  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
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If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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Overview

What if the whole "God delusion" approach is a neo-colonial imposition at the linguistic and philosophical level? Could it lead to unmitigated disasters in intercultural communication and development work? This paradigm-challenging book points to the necessity, in light of contemporary impasse in intercultural understanding, of God's involvement in the encounter between the West and the majority world, especially Africa. Failure to account for God, the cradle of imagination operative in human hearts and minds has resulted in a black hole that deeply troubles intercultural engagement between the West and others. While drawing on his personal long-term field experience in Africa, the author cites contemporary scholarly Western literature on philosophy, anthropology, "religion," and beyond. Ironically, the West, which values dualism, instead of seeking to share it with majority world people, wrongly presupposes its universality. A proactive compliance to the countering of "racism" and to the demotion of impacts of human imagination on understanding contribute to this. Effective education must be from known to unknown, this text emphasizes. Enabling African people to build understanding on their own epistemological foundations might be more important than exporting of pre-packaged languages and educational systems from the West.
ISBN: 1532614985
ISBN13: 9781532614989
Author: Jim Harries
Publisher: Wipf and Stock
Format: Paperback
PublicationDate: 2017-07-07
Language: English
PageCount: 188
Dimensions: 6.0 x 0.43 x 9.0 inches
Weight: 7.2 ounces

What if the whole ""God delusion"" approach is a neo-colonial imposition at the linguistic and philosophical level? Could it lead to unmitigated disasters in intercultural communication and development work? This paradigm-challenging book points to the necessity, in light of contemporary impasse in intercultural understanding, of God's involvement in the encounter between the West and the majority world, especially Africa. Failure to account for God, the cradle of imagination operative in human hearts and minds has resulted in a black hole that deeply troubles intercultural engagement between the West and others. While drawing on his personal long-term field experience in Africa, the author cites contemporary scholarly Western literature on philosophy, anthropology, ""religion,"" and beyond. Ironically, the West, which values dualism, instead of seeking to share it with majority world people, wrongly presupposes its universality. A proactive compliance to the countering of ""racism"" and to the demotion of impacts of human imagination on understanding contribute to this. Effective education must be from known to unknown, this text emphasizes. Enabling African people to build understanding on their own epistemological foundations might be more important than exporting of pre-packaged languages and educational systems from the West. ""Jim Harries has some wonderfully illuminating stories to tell about how the Western world looks from Africa. Regardless of how far one may agree with Jim's analyses of the issues at stake, we in the West need to hear these stories as we reflect on our own states of faith and disbelief."" --Richard Briggs, St John's College, Durham, United Kingdom ""Jim's critique of anthropocentric western theology is welcome, controversial, and born of deep personal insight. This may catalyze fruitful debate concerning the legitimacy of seeking to deny God's existence by mere human belief. It is my prayer that his African insights, shaped by a sharp European academic mind, plus over two decades of living and serving as an African, might challenge us in the West to explore new realms in debates about God."" --Clive G. Burnard, Senior Pastor, Mutley Baptist Church, Plymouth, United Kingdom ""Harries never pulls punches. In this energetic work, he continues this tradition of taking on difficult issues in ways that may simultaneously please, surprise, and annoy you. He takes the reader on a dizzying journey through diverse issues including language, worldview, economics, racism, post-colonialism, perception and reality, and short-term missions. Intimate facility with African culture and language make the book especially helpful. Agree or disagree, Harries challenges us to thoughtful awareness of critical issues."" --Christopher Flanders, Abilene Christian University Jim Harries has degrees in theology, biblical interpretation, development, and agriculture. Following a call to serve God in Africa, Jim has lived in Zambia and then Kenya since 1988. Jim's ministry to indigenous churches, which includes Bible teaching and relationship building, is engaged using the Luo and Swahili languages. Jim's articles and books include New Foundations for Appreciating Africa (2016). Jim chairs the Alliance for Vulnerable Mission (vulnerablemission.org).

Books - New and Used

The following guidelines apply to books:

  • New: A brand-new copy with cover and original protective wrapping intact. Books with markings of any kind on the cover or pages, books marked as "Bargain" or "Remainder," or with any other labels attached, may not be listed as New condition.
  • Used - Good: All pages and cover are intact (including the dust cover, if applicable). Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May include "From the library of" labels. Shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Item may be missing bundled media.
  • Used - Acceptable: All pages and the cover are intact, but shrink wrap, dust covers, or boxed set case may be missing. Pages may include limited notes, highlighting, or minor water damage but the text is readable. Item may but the dust cover may be missing. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting, but the text cannot be obscured or unreadable.

Note: Some electronic material access codes are valid only for one user. For this reason, used books, including books listed in the Used – Like New condition, may not come with functional electronic material access codes.

Shipping Fees

  • Stevens Books offers FREE SHIPPING everywhere in the United States for ALL non-book orders, and $3.99 for each book.
  • Packages are shipped from Monday to Friday.
  • No additional fees and charges.

Delivery Times

The usual time for processing an order is 24 hours (1 business day), but may vary depending on the availability of products ordered. This period excludes delivery times, which depend on your geographic location.

Estimated delivery times:

  • Standard Shipping: 5-8 business days
  • Expedited Shipping: 3-5 business days

Shipping method varies depending on what is being shipped.  

Tracking
All orders are shipped with a tracking number. Once your order has left our warehouse, a confirmation e-mail with a tracking number will be sent to you. You will be able to track your package at all times. 

Damaged Parcel
If your package has been delivered in a PO Box, please note that we are not responsible for any damage that may result (consequences of extreme temperatures, theft, etc.). 

If you have any questions regarding shipping or want to know about the status of an order, please contact us or email to support@stevensbooks.com.

You may return most items within 30 days of delivery for a full refund.

To be eligible for a return, your item must be unused and in the same condition that you received it. It must also be in the original packaging.

Several types of goods are exempt from being returned. Perishable goods such as food, flowers, newspapers or magazines cannot be returned. We also do not accept products that are intimate or sanitary goods, hazardous materials, or flammable liquids or gases.

Additional non-returnable items:

  • Gift cards
  • Downloadable software products
  • Some health and personal care items

To complete your return, we require a tracking number, which shows the items which you already returned to us.
There are certain situations where only partial refunds are granted (if applicable)

  • Book with obvious signs of use
  • CD, DVD, VHS tape, software, video game, cassette tape, or vinyl record that has been opened
  • Any item not in its original condition, is damaged or missing parts for reasons not due to our error
  • Any item that is returned more than 30 days after delivery

Items returned to us as a result of our error will receive a full refund,some returns may be subject to a restocking fee of 7% of the total item price, please contact a customer care team member to see if your return is subject. Returns that arrived on time and were as described are subject to a restocking fee.

Items returned to us that were not the result of our error, including items returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address, will be refunded the original item price less our standard restocking fees.

If the item is returned to us for any of the following reasons, a 15% restocking fee will be applied to your refund total and you will be asked to pay for return shipping:

  • Item(s) no longer needed or wanted.
  • Item(s) returned to us due to an invalid or incomplete address.
  • Item(s) returned to us that were not a result of our error.

You should expect to receive your refund within four weeks of giving your package to the return shipper, however, in many cases you will receive a refund more quickly. This time period includes the transit time for us to receive your return from the shipper (5 to 10 business days), the time it takes us to process your return once we receive it (3 to 5 business days), and the time it takes your bank to process our refund request (5 to 10 business days).

If you need to return an item, please Contact Us with your order number and details about the product you would like to return. We will respond quickly with instructions for how to return items from your order.


Shipping Cost


We'll pay the return shipping costs if the return is a result of our error (you received an incorrect or defective item, etc.). In other cases, you will be responsible for paying for your own shipping costs for returning your item. Shipping costs are non-refundable. If you receive a refund, the cost of return shipping will be deducted from your refund.

Depending on where you live, the time it may take for your exchanged product to reach you, may vary.

If you are shipping an item over $75, you should consider using a trackable shipping service or purchasing shipping insurance. We don’t guarantee that we will receive your returned item.

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