Reading: Bevans [Conclusion]

Is one model better than the other? Bevans has broken down five different models of contextual theology, each with both it's pros and cons. He also reminds us that each example of the individual models do not stay exclusively true to their model but borrow a little from other models as they apply their personal influence on the particular community they evangelizing to.


Bevans ends his book appropriately by mentioning that "within today's world of radical plurality and ambiguity, the best answer to the question can only be: 'It depends on the context.'" The context of this comic book illustration becomes funny due to it being out of context. Context, context, context. A text without a context is a pretext. The context of scripture, of course, but also the contemporary context—the Bible in one hand, the broadsheet in the other. The clash of two worlds: scriptura probat mundum.

Reading: Bevans [Issues]

Bevans' last point was the most interesting to me in his admittance that the word contextualization is the best way of describing aspects of context such as social location and particular experience, including the history, innuendo, and realities of older terminology of the same ilk including inculturation, indigenization, or incarnation of the gospel. That words can have a depth of history, both positive and negative, that may influence ones reaction towards a term is a significant element we cannot ignore.

Main Entry: cor·po·rate

Pronunciation: \ˈkor-p(ə-)rət\

Function: adjective

1. Formed into a corporation; incorporated: the corporate companies of industrial America.
2. Of or relating to a corporation: corporate assets; corporate culture.
3. United or combined into one body; collective: made a corporate effort to finish the job.
4. Of or relating to a corporative government or political system.

Personally, the word corporate is a popular term being thrown about in today's postmodern and/or emerging church. The church today uses the term corporate according to third definition of a "united or combined into one body; collective"... but for someone like me who worked in the industrial business section climbing the "corporate ladder," the word carries an unwanted weight. Now obviously we can't go around tiptoeing around wrods all day. But it bears repeating. Wait... unless that someone you are speaking to survived a bear attack...

Reading: Bevans [Contextual]

Bevans believes that Evangelii Nuntiandi, Paul VI sums up contextual theology the best when he says that evangelism must speak to every aspect of human life. I'd agree with them to a degree, since when viewing the human experience today in all of it's glory and trouble, can be both a edifying and harrowing experience. If we study the theology in relation to history and it's particular context to why it was written, we place our own human experience into Scripture. It's human nature to reflect oneself into what one is involved in.

Revelation plays a huge part in this concept of theology. I do believe the Spirit is involved in translating the Word of God into a living Word, something that can speak into individual lives and meet them where they are and for what they need. We cannot limit the power of God or the Spirit at work in our lives and in Scripture. To say that one understands how God or the Spirit works is a huge stretch and a dangerous path to take. Read Job again and you see the cosmic struggle that is bigger than anything the human mind can imagine.