Should we use the name of Allah when we speak of God? Should we use the Koran when we share the Gospel? Is it ok to meet in bars or pubs? What if we’re trying to reach prostitutes…is it ok to hang out in the red-light district? These are just a few of the questions facing those of us who work around the world….How far are we go to contextualize the gospel?
One thing that cracks me up is that those in the US are so often quick to judge our methods…not realizing their own contextualization. For many…Jesus is a white guy, with brown straight hair. In the South rock music is bad but country is good…southern gospel with drums is ok while rock music is of the devil. Even though Jesus turned water into wine, we take a stand on alcohol….while largely staying quiet on smoking and gluttony. We value individualism in the US and therefore we stress the importance of the decision to follow Christ. We value improving our lives so we stress the benefits of following Jesus. We also value comfort and safety so we play down or even ignore the sufferings that come with following Jesus. All of this is contextualization…some normal and good…some is ridiculous and even extra-biblical…the point is…we all do it.
How far would you go? What works…what doesn’t?
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
It seemed like being a West Coast Christian, in most circles it was alright to drink in moderation (say, a glass of wine with dinner) but never, ever smoke. However, when one of my friends moved to Alabama, he said that attitudes there were more that drinking was taboo yet smoking was okay for a Christian. I always wondered if it was because of the industries represented in those areas (California’s wine industry, tobacco farms of the South).
C Holland,
Thats a great observation. I think you’ve nailed it….proving that we are indeed contextualizing our faith within local cultures. It always cracks me up to hear overweight pastors with their massive guts going on and on about the evils of social drinking and how it lead to excessive drinking. What about your gut? What about gluttony? Why not avoid eating since it can lead to being fat? Cracks me up.