What is Ethnodoxology?

I belong to the International Council of Ethnodoxologists (ICE). When explaining why this group exists, we have to define the world ethnodoxology.

Trying out a new song in an indigenous church
in the northern Philippines

On the ICE website we define ethnodoxology as: "the theological and anthropological study, and practical application, of how every cultural group might use its unique and diverse artistic expressions appropriately to worship the God of the Bible."

Dave Hall, the man who coined the term, describes it is a combination of Greek words for culture (ethne) and praise (doxo). You might have encountered these root words in English. Ethnography is what anthropologists do to describe cultural practices. The Doxology is a song of praise used in many churches, often following the offering.

Perhaps a formula represents the idea best:

Ethnodoxology = Peoples + Praise

As an ethnomusicologist, I am mostly interested in how music is used for worship. But music is just one of many art forms that Christians use to enhance their experiences with God. Consider how church architecture and stained glass add beauty to a building. Human creativity is also expressed through dance, drama, poetry, painting, and sculpture. Many cultures around the world do not divide up their arts into separate concepts like that. Ethnodoxologists are trained to look for locally meaningful ways to include these indigenous expressions into the life of the church. 

Here is a video clip from a friend's church in the northern Philippines. They use traditional instruments and dance to make their Sunday worship services more meaningful. Like many people throughout history and around the world, this pastor was doing ethnodoxology before he ever heard of the word.