Gospel Without Borders: Separating Christianity from Culture in America

To what degree does culture facilitate or distort the Christian faith the gospel of Jesus and the life of the church? In America the distortion is enormous. Gospel Without Borders carefully examines the complex intersection of culture and faith in America providing insights that allow for better understanding and a more genuine experience of biblical and historic Christianity. Gospel Without Borders analyzes the formative and interactive roles that human nature and cultural history play in contemporary expressions of Christianity in America. It outlines their profound but little appreciated influence upon the shape and scope of Christian faith within society-at-large the church and the lives of individuals. The study illuminates the dimensions of a largely unheralded gospel message characterized by unimpeded faith that fully accords with the kingdom Jesus stridently proclaimed. It outlines the dimensions of faith freed from the disappointing forms of culturalized Christianity that always prove insufficient on a personal level and woefully inadequate to the demands of contemporary life within our globalizing world. Todays world can only be effectively impacted through a gospel without borders--a compelling gospel most Americans have yet to hear and too many Christians--of every cultural and denominational background--have yet to fully embrace. This work by Jim Rotholz opens the door to a significant dialog on how faith and culture can be addressed in a manner that brings a sense of sanity to some often incendiary ideas. This is a first rate intellectual examination of key concepts on the ideas of culture and the place of a mature and reflective Christian ideal. . . . In the hands of Rotholz controversial and important issues are raised examined and brought into the context of a well-balanced and authentic spirit of a cross-cultural reading of the Gospel of Jesus. This is not an easy read nor a lightly put together book. It is challenging and direct and will afford students and professionals a much needed source of both knowledge and inspiration. --Ted Fortier Associate Professor of Anthropology Sociology and Social Work Seattle University Jim Rotholz has a varied background that includes five years working in missions and international development in Somalia Ethiopia and Nepal and a short tenure as Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Washington State University. He is the author of two previous books Walking the Spirit (2004) and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Christianity and Culture (2002). He and Louise his inspiring and adventurous wife of thirty-five years currently reside in the mountains of northern New Mexico.