Matters of Life and Death Shame, honour & the gospel: Recovering what we’ve missed
May 7, 2025
This discussion tackles the often-overlooked aspect of shame in the gospel, comparing guilt-forgiveness and honor-shame cultures. It dives into how these cultural frameworks shape identity and behavior, especially in today's social media landscape where public shaming thrives. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on biblical stories of unconditional love, such as the prodigal son, emphasizing acceptance over shame within church communities. The conversation highlights the transformative power of acceptance and the boldness it can inspire in faith.
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Understanding Shame vs Guilt Cultures
- Shame cultures focus on community perception rather than individual guilt.
- Identity and honor depend largely on social context and others' views.
WWII Japanese Shame Culture
- Japanese WWII soldiers often chose death over surrender to avoid shame.
- Ritual suicide restored honor after defeat in their shame-based culture.
Social Media Creates New Shame Culture
- Social media fosters a new form of public shaming akin to honour culture.
- Cancel culture enforces strict social norms with severe social consequences.
