Susan Beaumont, How to Lead When You Don’t Know Where You’re Going: Leading in a Liminal Season

Abstract

The five dimensions of culture which Bailey explores are a helpful guide to a critical theological engagement with culture. As an Asian, I especially enjoyed reading chapter two, where Bailey discusses the power of naming. In labeling people and cultures, humans assert their authority, and given my background as a Filipino, I am reminded of the extent to which colonizers have sought to “name” us. I also agree with Bailey’s observation that cultures outside the Western world do not dichotomize or separate culture and religion as independent from one another and that the latter is more than just a container of propositional beliefs about the sacred. This thin, well-written volume argues that the relationship between culture and theology is complex, necessitating hermeneutical skills, humility, and patience. It helpfully includes questions for reflection and discussion in every chapter to help readers interact with the arguments and consider the implications for their own contexts.