In crossing a cultural boundary a missionary comes from one background with a network of symbolism to another place with a different system of symbols. That can be either a confusing mishmash, or it can be a creative activity bringing new meanings. If the missionary learns a new language, that is an act which has symbolic significance. When the missionary communicates according to the demand of the gospel, a new vision of things is opened up. The new vision gathers up the loose threads of world events from the perspective of the ultimate. The true missionary, indeed, has an ultimate commitment, while he or she works through the symbolic matrices of cross-cultural interactions.
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