Resources that edify, equip, and empower disciples of Jesus to make disciples of Jesus.

Supracultural Gospel

Bridging East and West
Mary Lou Codman-Wilson
Mary Lou Codman-Wilson
Rev. Dr. Mary Lou Codman-Wilson (MA, Wheaton; MTS, Garret Theological Seminary; PhD, Northwestern University) is an author, teacher, pastor, and discipler, who currently serves at New Hope Global Fellowship.  She has spent several decades working with Asian international students, across the US and in Asia. Mary Lou and her husband live in Wheaton, Illinois, and have two grown children and five grandchildren. 
and Alex Zhou
Alex Zhou
Dr. Zhou Qin (Alex) (JSD, City University of Hong Kong; LLM, Northwestern University) was a postdoctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore and has published in several leading journals in the field of contract and banking law. He is now an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law of Macau University of Science and Technology. He has participated in cross-cultural campus ministry, giving him a unique perspective on key issues Asian international students face when they return to the East from studying and being discipled in the West. 

William Carey Publishing customer support: publishing@wclbooks.com
Lumina Reader technical customer support: support@luminareader.com

Getting Started

How do I purchase an eBook?
  • Go to missionbooks.org and complete checkout with the eBook(s) you would like to purchase.
  • You will receive an order confirmation email from missionbooks.org.
  • You will also receive an email with instructions for accessing your eBooks in the Lumina app.

Check your spam folder if you do not see the login code. If you do not receive the second email, contact publishing@wclbooks.com.

International users receive regional pricing when purchasing through missionbooks.org rather than through an in-app purchase.

What devices can I access my eBooks on?
  • iPhone and iPad running iOS 15.5 or later
  • Android phones and tablets running Android 8.0 or later
  • macOS desktops and laptops, using the iOS app
  • Any device with a web browser at Lumina Reader web platform

Older devices may run more slowly. Keep your device and app up to date for the best experience.

How do I download the Lumina Reader app?

Search for “Lumina Reader” in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Log in using the same email address you used at missionbooks.org. The app is not compatible with Amazon Kindle devices.

How do I log in to the Lumina Reader app?

Lumina Reader uses passwordless login.

  1. Open the Lumina Reader app.
  2. Enter the email address used at missionbooks.org.
  3. Check your email for a six-digit login code.
  4. Enter the code in the app.

You will remain logged in and retain access to your eBooks. If you log out, your library, reading progress, notes, and highlights remain saved, but you will need to download your eBooks again.

I can’t see my eBooks. What can I do?

Your eBooks should appear automatically when you log in with the email used at missionbooks.org. If they do not:

  • Confirm that you are using the correct email address. You can find the signed-in address on the Profile page.
  • Pull down from the top of the library screen to refresh it.
  • Update Lumina Reader through your device’s app store.

If your resources still do not appear, contact Lumina Customer Service.

Is there a Windows app for Lumina?

There is currently no Windows app. Windows users can access their eBooks through the Lumina Reader web platform.

Is there an Apple app for Lumina?

Yes. Lumina Reader is available in the Apple App Store for Mac, iPhone, and iPad.

Can the Lumina Reader app read the book aloud?

Yes. With an eBook open, tap the center of the screen to show settings. Select the megaphone icon in the top bar to read the current page aloud.

This feature is not available in the web-browser version.

Can I change the font size?

Yes. You can change font size, line height, and page margins in profile settings or within an eBook. While reading, tap the top center of the screen and select the “T” icon.

Web Version

How do I access the web version?
  1. Open Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or another preferred browser.
  2. Go to hub.luminareader.com.
  3. Log in with the email address used at missionbooks.org.
  4. Enter the six-digit code sent to your email.

Once logged in, you will have access to your eBooks.

How do I troubleshoot the web version?
  • Make sure you have a stable internet connection.
  • Clear your browser cache and cookies.
  • Use a current version of Safari, Chrome, or Firefox.
  • Confirm you are using the same email address used to purchase your eBooks.
  • Refresh your browser.

If problems persist, contact customer service.

App & Device Support

Can I download my content to multiple devices?

Yes. You can use Lumina Reader on up to six devices at the same time, provided you log in with the email address used to purchase the eBook.

To manage devices, go to Account → Registered devices in the app and unlink devices you no longer use.

  1. Install Lumina Reader from your device’s app store.
  2. Log in with the same purchase email address.
  3. Your library should sync automatically.

If access issues continue, refresh your library or log out and back in with the correct email address.

How do I check for the latest Lumina Reader app version?
  • On Apple devices, open the App Store and search for Lumina Reader.
  • On Android devices, open Google Play and search for Lumina Reader.

If an update is available, select Update. If issues remain, try deleting and reinstalling the app. Your eBooks and reading progress are saved to your account, but you will need to download the eBooks again.

How do I delete my Lumina Reader account?

Warning: Deleting your account is permanent. You will lose access to your account activity, preferences, and eBooks.

  1. Open the Lumina Reader app.
  2. Open the Profile tab in the lower-right corner, then select Account.
  3. Scroll to the bottom, select Delete account, confirm the checkboxes, then select Continue and delete account.

Some information may be retained for lawful reasons, including fraud prevention and accounting.

Can I get a refund for an eBook?

If you ordered an eBook by mistake, do not download it in the Lumina app. William Carey Publishing can then cancel the order and issue a full refund.

If you have downloaded it, access can still be removed and the order cancelled, but processing may take longer.

Can I buy an eBook as a gift for someone else?
  • Enter the recipient’s email address when purchasing the book.
  • The recipient will receive an email with download instructions.
  • For multiple recipients, purchase each book separately using each recipient’s email address.

A Fresh Look at Contextualization

Positive cross-cultural communication is an essential skill when sharing the gospel. Unfortunately, many common Western biblical constructs create stumbling blocks for people of different backgrounds, causing them to reject the gospel. But that doesn’t have to be the case.

Join Drs. Mary Lou Codman-Wilson and Alex Zhou as they dialogue about Alex’s experience becoming a believer in the US and his struggle to share his faith when he returned to China. They model a process of examining our cultural worldview to overcome the tensions associated with living out our faith in a context dominated by different religious or secular systems.

Supracultural Gospel presents seven principles to adapt the gospel to bridge East and West; essential attitudes and practices of emotionally healthy and spiritually discerning discipleship; and key gospel concepts in non-Western terms, while retaining biblical accuracy.

Written in a highly conversational tone and validated with personal stories from many Asian internationals, Supracultural Gospel is a powerful and practical tool for those who are passionate about cross-cultural discipleship. Are you ready to unpack your worldview and embrace a supracultural gospel?

Read a Free Sample (PDF)


  • With her abundant experience with students from all around the world, her caring heart for them, and her listening ears to the Holy Spirit, Dr. Mary Lou gives us the wisdom to navigate cultural differences between Asia and the United States. I believe that Supracultural Gospel will encourage and strengthen Asian students spiritually—as it did me!

    Miyuki Asada, MA (Japan),  TeachBeyond Global Member-Care Counselor for Single Women   

  • Mary Lou is a warrior of prayer. Her prayers encourage those who are tempted to abandon their faith in Jesus because of their cultural background. Her intimate fellowship with internationals from many nations, especially Asian, along with her biblical and academic knowledge, have woven this book. For a quarter of a century, Mary Lou has been a lighthouse for me to know Jesus.

    Michiko Takahashi, PhD (Japan) Author of Child Developmental Psychology and Graphic Developmental Psychology in Early Childhood

  • In my eyes, “global vision, missionary’s heart” are the best words to describe Dr. Mary Lou. And this book perfectly reflects her vision and her heart. I believe that readers who have cross-cultural background or experience will benefit from this book, just as I benefit from my mentorship with Dr. Mary Lou.

    Bing Lui, MDiv, MA (China) Translator; Instructor, Timothy Training International

  • As an InterVarsity staff and cross-cultural worker among international students, I have found Dr. Mary Lou to be a model of Christ’s love for the world—devoted to Christ in her personal life and deeply committed to bringing the love of Christ to others, especially international students. Mary Lou is keenly aware of cross-cultural differences and compassionate toward the stresses internationals face in American culture. Her identification with spiritual leaders in other cultures should help us look beyond our own cultural insularity, identify with the common struggles we share with Christians in many cultures, and inspire a wide readership.

    Ned Hale, MDiv (US) National Archivist, InterVarsity USA Former National Director of International Student Ministry, InterVarsity USA

  • I was so excited when I heard that Dr. Mary Lou is authoring this book! I have never seen such passion from a pastor to help us Asian international students maintain and grow in our faith when we go back to our respective countries. This book addresses critical issues for us in contextualizing our faith in our home context, since so much of the doctrine and theology that shape our faith are from a Western perspective.

    Hanny Tishriana Wuysang, MA (Indonesia) Counselor Education doctoral student, Western Michigan University

  • Dr. Alex Zhou leaves me deeply impressed with his determination to understand God’s Word. I invited Alex to assist me in evaluating Bible study materials for usage at the Island ECC (Evangelical Community Church). Alex devoted a tremendous amount of time to reading the materials, yet his passion for understanding God’s Word never waned, even as we studied for hours every week for two months. Alex not only studies the Bible, but also practices God’s Word in his everyday life.

    Alan Leung (Hong Kong) Deputy Director of Men’s Ministry, Island Evangelical Community Church, Hong Kong

Acknowledgments

Part 1- Introduction: Swimming in a New “Pond”

Chapter 1- A Ready-Made Suit

Part 2- What Are the Cultural Boxes of the Gospel in the East and the West?

Chapter 2- Western Boxes of the Gospel

Chapter 3- Eastern Boxes That Restrict the Gospel from a Chinese Perspective

Chapter 4- Eastern Boxes That Restrict the Gospel from a Japanese and Thai Perspective

Part 3- The Supracultural Gospel beyond the Cultural Boxes

Chapter 5- The Core of the Supracultural Gospel

Chapter 6- Introducing the Author of Salvation

Chapter 7- Reframing Sin

Chapter 8- Amazing Grace

Chapter 9- The Indwelling Holy Spirit

Chapter 10- Belonging to the Body of Christ

Chapter 11- The Primacy of God’s Mission in the World

Part 4- Discipleship Essentials That Undergrid Thinking Outside the Box

Chapter 12- A Christian Mind

Chapter 13- Five Essential Attitudes

Chapter 14- Christ’s Lordship in the Believer’s Life

Chapter 15- Internalizing God’s Word

Chapter 16- Powerful Prayer

Chapter 17- Effective Spiritual Warfare

Part 5- Practical Examples of Living Outside the Box

Chapter 18- Transformed Living Outside the Box

Chapter 19- Bridging Faith

Chapter 20- Serving Christ through Suffering for His Name

Chapter 21- Living on God’s Kingdom Agenda in China

Chapter 22- Rerooting the Gospel in Japan

Appendix

Bibliography

Authors

  • Mary Lou Codman-Wilson
    Mary Lou Codman-Wilson
    Rev. Dr. Mary Lou Codman-Wilson (MA, Wheaton; MTS, Garret Theological Seminary; PhD, Northwestern University) is an author, teacher, pastor, and discipler, who currently serves at New Hope Global Fellowship.  She has spent several decades working with Asian international students, across the US and in Asia. Mary Lou and her husband live in Wheaton, Illinois, and have two grown children and five grandchildren. 
  • Alex Zhou
    Alex Zhou
    Dr. Zhou Qin (Alex) (JSD, City University of Hong Kong; LLM, Northwestern University) was a postdoctoral fellow at the National University of Singapore and has published in several leading journals in the field of contract and banking law. He is now an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Law of Macau University of Science and Technology. He has participated in cross-cultural campus ministry, giving him a unique perspective on key issues Asian international students face when they return to the East from studying and being discipled in the West. 
  • Pages: 224
  • Publisher: William Carey Publishing
    William Carey Publishing
  • Binding: Paperback
  • Publish Year: 2022
  • ISBN: 9781645083788
  • Vendor: William Carey Publishing
Cannot place order, conditions not met:
OK