Don’t Throw the Book at Them

• Let me state right at the start that the research in this book is excellent. It is a must-read not just for prospective missionaries but for any person in the communications business. It is for teachers and preachers, for broadcasters and publishers alike. . . I find the book as a great teaching tool with good research and easy-to-follow ideas that can be adapted to any curriculum. I also see it as essential material to teach any communicator, preacher, or missionary in the church.  There are some startling revelations in the book about biblical history and culture, which help any communicator add to the quality of their message. So once again, if you are looking for a book that can equip you in communicating, especially cross-culturally, this is a helpful tool.

  — Pastor Ian John Batley, BA Adult Ed.; MA Clinical Pastoral Education

• Harry Box has been a pioneer in the field of communicating the Christian message to those we now refer to as oral communicators. I first encountered his work in the year 2000 soon after taking over as Australian CEO of Global Recordings Network (then Language Recordings Inc and formerly, Gospel Recordings.) Reading his unpublished Doctoral Thesis on “Communicating Christianity to Oral Event Oriented People” written in 1992 challenged and changed my whole approach to communication – especially 'Gospel' communication. Harry's careful research and excellent case studies convinced me that generally as Westerners we had failed to adequately understand the communication preferences of much of the world's population. Today as we continue to grow in our understanding of learning and communication styles and recognised that even many highly literate people are still by preference oral learners, Harry's work is as important as ever. I am delighted to see the fruit of Harry's work now made available in “Don't throw the book at them.” It is, in my opinion, a must read for all who are committed to effective Gospel Communication in our culturally diverse world. It has important implications for almost every area of Christian ministry.

  — Graydon Colville, International Director Global Recordings Network

• “This is a brilliant book!”, shares Charles H Kraft - missionary, linguist and recently retired Emeritus Professor of Anthropology and Intercultural Communication at Fuller Seminary. Harry Box (MBI graduate of 1962) has written what may well prove a strategy-changing message for evangelical missionary societies. As you read these words now, pause and thank God for that ability. For you and I are part of the one third of the adult world who are literate. Yet 65-70% of men and women around the world are still unable to pick up written material with even basic levels of comprehension. This is an ordered, logical book arguing that oral communication was Jesus’ primary method of communicating with His disciples. Jesus communicated in Aramaic, which was off limits for translating the Old Testament. Jesus spoke in poetic forms which could be more easily memorized by his listeners. Harry’s thesis is commended by Bible societies and by Wycliffe Bible Translators. For mission leaders, young and older thinkers, and missiology strategists, this book is a must. Harry received his PhD for this ground breaking work.

  — Ambassador Magazine- Spring 2015

Author

• Harry Box
  Harry Box

  Harry Box comes originally from Melbourne, Australia, and holds graduate degrees in missiology from Fuller Theological Seminary's School of Intercultural Studies.  His research has focused on communicating to oral, event-oriented people.  Harry's experience includes fifteen years in Papua New Guinea recording gospel messages in some of the eight hundred languages of that country, working among the Aborigines of Central Australia, training cross-cultural missionaries, and lecturing in missiology at theological institutions.  Harry and his wife, Carole, have two sons, Darren and Kingsley.

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