http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ICHovRHJAYY Tom Wirght talks about the gospel. I have doing some research on inculturation. One of the main confusions people have - be they Roman Catholics or Protestants - is whether the 'gospel' interacts with 'culture' or actually the church, the Christian faith or Christ Himself does so. Of course I have my own conclusion … Continue reading What is the Gospel?
Proclamation is necessary!
In my further research into the subject of 'inculturation', I have found that 'proclamation' plays a key role in the whole process. I have also found the following, which I think is useful for Protestants (especially Evangelicals) in their attempt to re-examine their attitude towards evangelism. 20. The Church in Asia is all the more … Continue reading Proclamation is necessary!
How does a Church Grow?
Dr. Howard Culbertson posted the following in his website: Here are 14 lessons which John Slack learned in his church growth research with congregations of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is an example of what can be learned from demographics, spreadsheets, surveys, interviews, and historical studies by analyzing the information secured from various sources. New units … Continue reading How does a Church Grow?
N. T. Wright explores the question, “What is the gospel?”
I cannot help but share this. Also do note how many times Wright refers to some sort of contextualisation in this video:
Church – quit admonishing the world and start engaging!
One of my favourite authors and renowned historian, John Dickson, was interviewed by Marshall Shelley and Drew Dyck recently. The interview, which is titled, 'The Church in Secular Culture - Moving from a stance of admonition to mission' is available in the Leadership Journal. Below is the excerpt of a section of interview which I think speaks … Continue reading Church – quit admonishing the world and start engaging!
Useful Resources for Mission at the International Bulletin of Missionary Research
The April version of the International Bulletin of Missionary Research has a number of interesting articles. Articles are available for free at the website after your subscribe to its email newsletter. Among articles which are relevant to faith, culture and mission in the postmodern context are: 1. Emerging Adults and the Future of Missions by … Continue reading Useful Resources for Mission at the International Bulletin of Missionary Research
The Pope who Stunned the World
There is a post at the Read the Spirit site entitled 'Rediscover John XXIII, a Pope who stunned the world!' Many have thought that the new pope, Francis I, brings a refreshing aura with him into the office. So it would be natural for one to look back curiously for past popes with similar 'aura of … Continue reading The Pope who Stunned the World
The Difference between Contextualization and Inculturation
From my MA Dissertation: Inculturation is centred on culture. This marks the primary difference between inculturation and contextualisation. Most Protestants consider inculturation as a subset of contextualisation. Bosch for example, placed inculturation under contextualisation together with liberation theology; with inculturation the primary concern is the relationship between faith and culture, while liberation theology includes the … Continue reading The Difference between Contextualization and Inculturation
Understand the Context to Better Understand the Message
In the end, most of us would agree that life is not all that easy to understand, that the messages we receive from within and from others and from God are not always clear. As the Apostle Paul famously said; ‘Now we see in a mirror dimly (one translation has ‘in a riddle’)’, always remembering … Continue reading Understand the Context to Better Understand the Message
Should Christians do the ‘Harlem Shake’?
I suppose we all heard of 'Harlem Shake'. Now that some Christians are doing it, people start to wonder if it is wrong for Christians to follow suit. They are especially concerned with the fact that Christians seem to copy the meme without thinking much about the origin of the dance and why they are doing … Continue reading Should Christians do the ‘Harlem Shake’?
Discipleship as the Means to counter the Culture of Consumerism
'If we don't disciple, the culture sure will, and it's doing a good job of it.' Jesus took twelve and that seems to work quite well! I have referred to books by Alan Hirsch during my research and they have been very helpful and easy to read. Below are two of them:
The Beards of Ministry
From: Out of Ur: The Beards of Ministry. These types are familiar to those of us in the Christian circle. I am not sure if this would ring a bell for others who are not in this 'culture'. It is obvious that Christians in general has created for themselves a certain common understanding, which forms certain … Continue reading The Beards of Ministry
