On the flip side, I found John Piper’s comments on contextualizing the Gospel (it’s not necessary) also fascinating. It’s a video excerpt and you’ll need Quicktime.
So where do I stand…? I took a Perspectives course a couple of years ago and then coordinated one this past Spring. If you want to know in detail what Perspectives is, go here. In a nutshell, it is a discipleship course that gives you God’s perspective on global missions. But it’s more than a missions class, much more. You can ask me about it, if you want more info, but I digress.
In taking the class, I learned about contextualization and syncretization of the Gospel message in cross-cultural ministry. I read examples of those who so diluted the Gospel message that there was no longer any reference to Christ and it became powerless to save. I also read examples where the Gospel message was not contextualized and remained foreign to those to whom it was being delivered and was still unable to save. I then read examples where the Gospel message was given in culturally relevant terms, still maintaining integrity, yet able to penetrate through cultural obstacles and led to saving knowledge.
That said, I believe God will make Himself known to the nations. He is relevant no matter how irrelevant we are or become. What’s exciting is that He is using us in all our irrelevant glory to minister in our backyards as well as across the oceans. As long as we focus on His word (doctrine…?), as long as we are striving to enter that rest (missional living…?), He will provide the opportunities to speak, the opportunities to relate, the opportunities to minister and in ministering let the Gospel message save.
My lunchtime is over.
All Things Elda 