First truths (Level 1)—A set of Scriptures focused on the perceived needs of the people.
The team can choose from the options the set that they wish to present first. Such each set should be developed with the intention of helping specific audiences to cope with specific difficulties that they face. A team will likely choose to make more than one set in this level. We recommend that no set should exceed fifty sentences in the base translation.
Let us consider about the kinds of societies that are different from Christianity. In the early 1800s, western societies separated “Christians, Mahometans, and Pagans”. In the late 1800s, the list was enlarged to: “Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Mohammedans and Pagans”. These focused on the difference between the first and the others. Such categories were inaccurate and incomplete. We suggest a set of categories that focus on an estimated world-view of an anticipated audience. Consider:
- Community ritual oriented societies—The people feel secure in everyone in the community doing the right actions. (The team should recognize that they are offering an alternative to much of community custom.)
- Family/clan ritual oriented societies—The people feel secure in family ritual and magic. At the same time, they fear magic against them. (The team should recognize that they are offering a powerful alternative to the family/clan traditions.)
- Spirit-world oriented societies—Many of these are afraid of evil spirits.
- Islamic oriented societies—Most of these societies are generally community ritual focused, with an overlay of spirit focused attitudes. The community is monotheistic, common with Christianity. (The team should recognize that they are offering an alternative to the rituals and lifestyle of Islam.)
- Church oriented societies—The people desire to learn the basic truths of Christian faith. (The team should recognize that they are offering general encouragement to church oriented people.)
- Very traumatized persons—Such people are hurting deeply. They have suffered devastation of their families and communities from war, disease, famine, earthquake, storm or flooding. (The team should recognize that they must offer encouragement on a very deep level.)
We are creating helps also for presenting the Christian worldview of creation, why we humans die and how all humans have common ancestor in Noah.
Vital truths (Level 2)—A clear story about Jesus, including his teachings, with the core truths that we Christians affirm
These Scriptures have been selected to communicate essential Christian doctrines. They do not require the non-western listeners to learn the historical context of those Scriptures at the same time that they are learning the Christian truths. The listeners should not feel that the Christian message is mystical or secretive, as if it was intended only for a few. God’s invitation to humans is open to anyone who listens.
Some use the label “Harmony” for this kind of message. We might call this a condensed Gospel, but it seems better to use something like “Clear Story of Jesus and the Truths that we Christians affirm”. This set and Levels 3 and 4 are recommended for communicating a clear overall message of what we Christians affirm. We suggest the messages in a sequence with the purpose that the listeners will accept the Christian worldview, what some call “…come to faith in Jesus”.
Very important truths (Level 3)—The story about Jesus with more events, the narrative about the early believers, and some more truths that we Christians affirm
This includes all the passages proposed for first level, with some additional deeper teachings from the Apostles. This level continues to communicate to an audience that is un-evangelized and un-churched, but who has expressed their desire to learn Christian teaching. We would expect that a programmer would propagate the second grouping at a later time than the first grouping.
Additional important truths (Level 4)—Some truths that we Christians affirm that are more complex than those of Levels 2 and 3
These passages communicate teachings from the Apostles that are complicated by the need for knowledge of the Jewish culture or a clear presentation of the Jewish way of teaching. This level tries to communicate to beginning believers to help them deepen their faith. We would expect that a programmer would propagate the third grouping at a later time than the second grouping.
Oral translations of the whole documents of the New Testament (Level 5)
When the spoken Scriptures have effect, there will come into being a group of believers. Some of them might want the whole New Testament in audio. The team might reach this level in good time or perhaps never. It will be up to them.
We recommend that the Scripture messages be communicated as units. We are facilitating the people learning Jesus’ truths. The core purpose of Christian communication is resultant changes in the listeners’ lives.
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