IFAMS
International Fellowship of Adventist Mission Studies
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Journal of Adventist Mission Studies
Calling the Church to heal a lost and broken world
11th Swallen Lectureship
Dr. Scott Moreau, Feb 20-22, 2014, Andrews University
What is it?
"Contextualization is situated at the “mixing point” of gospel and culture(s).
Most generally, contextualization is embedding the Eternal Word ine ver changing worlds.
Contextualization is a process and a goal. As a process, over time Christians (whether outsiders or insiders) frame dimensions of the Christian faith so that those in the context understand it in local terms. As goal, every aspect of the Christian faith take root in ways that feel indigenous in the local setting."
Dimensions of Contextualization
"Social Institutions. Keep order and establish identity in light of religious values.
Myths. Stories we tell ourselves that embody our values and ideals.
Ethics. How people should behave in relation to other people, the spiritual realm, and the physical world.
Artistic/Material. Actions and items that symbolically capture values, thoughts, ideas and themes.
Rituals. Symbolic actions and ceremonies we use to build and maintain our identities.
Experience. The ways we experience the transcendent or supernatural in our lives.
Doctrines. Religious truths about God and the created order as well as the relationships among them."
Bottom Line Issues
"Bible as Norm
What is Revelation?
General Revelation
Biblical Congruence
Eternal Word in Changing Worlds
The Ongoing Reality of Sin
Truth and Knowledge
Logic
Language
Hermeneutics
How Many Meanings?
Form and Meaning"
-- From Dr. Moreau`s presentations