Creating Understanding [Paperback]

Donald K. Smith (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 24, 1992

This book is built on twenty-three propositions about communication, propositions that, when taken together, encompass fundamental truths about human communication from a Christian perspective. Creating Understanding puts communications media into proper perspective. It makes meaning and understanding the focus of the effort of communication. It is committed to having the purposes of communication determine the means to be employed. This book is a foundation on which the enterprise of Christian ministry can be built or refined. It provides perspective, constantly, on the ways the cultural landscape is informing and affecting the communication process.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This book is built on twenty-three propositions about communication, propositions that, when taken together, encompass fundamental truths about human communication from a Christian perspective. Creating Understanding puts communications media into proper perspective. It makes meaning and understanding the focus of the effort of communication. It is committed to having the purposes of communication determine the means to be employed. This book is a foundation on which the enterprise of Christian ministry can be built or refined. It provides perspective, constantly, on the ways the cultural landscape is informing and affecting the communication process.

About the Author

Dr. Donald K. Smith is professor international communication at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is a former missionary in southern and eastern Africa, where he developed programs for communications research and training including the predecessor to Day star University College in Nairobi. He is the director of the International Institute for Christian Communication, now based in Portland, and pastor of Faith Baptist Church in the same city. His previous books include Writing Is Thinking and Communicating for Development.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (May 24, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310531217
• ISBN-13: 978-0310531210
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #188,238 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Must read for anyone going into a cross-cultural situation, September 4, 2000

By 

Tom Galey (Walzbachtal, Deutschland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating Understanding (Paperback)

Don Smith has developed an excellent approach to learning communication in a cross-cultural setting - be it in another country, another ethnic group in your own, with your neighbor, who happens to come from a different background ... or with your wife! With his thorough explanation of the 23 propositions of human communication, combined with witty, explicit illustrations, Don Smith helps anyone who desires to be understood reach their goal. Especially helpful to me were the chapters on the 12 signal systems. I am an American living in Germany - working with Germans and internationals. Understanding the signal systems of communication has helped me to better learn my guest culture and understand what was being communicated - and to be understood as I attempted communication as well.

This book is written from a Christian perspective with communication of the Christian message in mind - however, don't let that hinder you from profiting from this valuable work. His bibliography 'communicates' the extent of his research in religious as well as secular circles.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who desires to 'create understanding' in the mind of someone else.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Valuable Resource for Creating Understanding, August 2, 2006

By 

Dr. William Patterson - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating Understanding (Paperback)

I had the privilege of studying under Dr. Smith during my days in seminary. As this book shows he is a master communicator. Creating Understanding is a must read for those wanting to improve their effectiveness in cross-cultural situations. It is especially important for those who are still in their first four years of cross-cultural ministry, or better yet have not yet left for the field. Do you want to reduce conflict while increasing understanding? Avoiding the communication landmines that dot the cultural landscapes of our world requires skill and determination. Interact with Smith's 23 propositions and you will discover yourself on the road to becoming a master communicator.
Dr. Bill Patterson
Pastor of World Missions
First Evangelical Free Church
Rockford, IL

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for teaching Cross-Cultural course, August 2, 2005

By 

Peg - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creating Understanding (Paperback)

I have used this book for several years now! I do wish it would come back in print with a new edition - it is just hard to get enough copies for my classes since it can only be obtained through Amazon. It is very user friendly and the students love the lay-out. Very relevant material in cartoons, and side comments. I have recommended it now to two other professors in two other colleges and they love it! Excellent material - especially the chapters on non verbal communication. I will continue to use it as long as I can get enough copies!!