Harrell - Bruchko

As one of my favorite readings in this course, Bruchko written by Bruce Olson was truly one that I feel should be read by everyone. Bruce Olson’s autobiography Bruchko contains much more than his life story. Olson’s work with the primitive Motilone Indian tribe of South America brings up missiological questions of utmost importance. He writes questioning what the Gospel look like in a culture that is radically different from ours? What traditions and customs can a culture preserve while maintaining a Christian identity?  How much do missionaries need to be immersed in a culture before they can effectively share the gospel? I find that these are all questions that we have discussed in class and ones that I believe give an astonishing story. The book tells of the story of Bruce Olson’s truly difficult journey to the dangerous Motilone Indian tribe of South America. It was through his assimilation into Motilone culture as a main role in the entire tribe’s conversion to Christianity. I feel as though this story can perfectly illustrate what it is like to be submerged into an entirely different culture and how the interactions and differences of the people take place.  

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