Redemptive Analogy

Redemptive is an adjective word that means serving to redeem. In the term of Christianity, this word refers to God’s salvation to believers from sin through Jesus’ sacrifice. In the other way, analogy is a similarity between like features of two things, on which a comparison may be based. Synonyms of analogy are (1) comparison, likeness, resemblance, similitude, affinity; (2) correspondence.

So, Redemptive Analogy is an illustration or similarity or likeness story within cultures and gospel message so we can use it to communicate gospel to among tribal peoples and other cultures.

Sawi Tribe - The Peace Child
This is relevant with the true story “Peace Child”. Don and Carol Richardson who were gifted from God a calling to serve Sawi tribe in Irian Jaya, Dutch New Guinea had difficulties to understand the tribe. Therefore, first of all they learned about the languages. After they can speak and explain the gospel to the tribe, the villagers have misunderstanding about the gospel. It was when missionary Don told the story about Jesus and the part of Judas betrayed Jesus. They thought that Judas was the real hero. This understanding is happened because of Sawi's idealize treachery.

Don wondered how there could be a guaranteed peace in the village if Sawi has a culture like that. Everyone in the village has their own perspective or worldview about treachery that is very different with the common sense. Until one moment of a battle between tribes came, the Richardsons were considering leaving the area. In order to keep the Richardson staying in the village, both tribes had a discussion and decided to make peace among them. Their tradition in making peace was to exchange young children between the two villages. It was called "peace child". If the "peace child"s were exchanged, it would bring peace between the tribes.

In this point, Don Richardson found the key and made this tradition to be an analogy to explain how God the Father redeem human beings from their sin through Jesus Christ, His Son who came as the “Peace Child”. He is the one who made peace between Himself and His people.

Works Cited:
"analogy." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 13 Mar. 2009. .
Call, Ray and Michele. “Cross Cultural Missions Jesus Style” Campus Crusade for Christ, It’s all about Jesus. 11 January 2002. 14 March. 2009
Culbertson, Howard. “Intro to Missions” Southern Nazarene University. 17 November 2008. 14 March. 2009
"redemptive." Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Random House, Inc. 13 Mar. 2009.