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Unchanging Gospel Message, Changing Context: Contextualization Strategies In The Lukan Paul, Irenaeus, And Athanasius, Joy Axelsson

MA in Religion Theses

This thesis examines how early Christian leaders strategically contextualized the gospel within the diverse sociohistorical contexts of the Roman Empire while maintaining theological consistency. Using a comparative synchronic methodology adapted from Michael Gorman, it analyzes five primary texts spanning the first through fourth centuries: the Lukan Paul’s missionary speeches in Acts (Pisidian Antioch, Lystra, and Athens), Irenaeus’s On the Apostolic Preaching, and Athanasius’s On the Incarnation. Each text is analyzed within its literary, historical, and cultural context to identify patterns of strategic constants and variables in gospel presentation. The analysis shows that central gospel elements, such as Christology, monotheism, …

Hope, Liberation, And The Search For Shalom: Embracing A Spirit-Led Mission As The Cornerstone Of Hispanic Pentecostal Missiology, Misael Cornelio-Arias

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

This study examines the critical missiological contributions of three influential Hispanic Pentecostal theologians: Eldin Villafañe, Samuel Solivan, and Sammy Alfaro. It also explores the work of two additional notable figures, Darío López and Bernardo Campos, whose impact extends beyond traditional missiology into practical faith application. Each of these individuals has uniquely fused his distinct cultural contexts and biblical understanding with the broader mission of the Hispanic Pentecostal faith, guided by the Holy Spirit. Their work has significantly shaped and expanded the landscape of Hispanic Pentecostal missiology, demonstrating a truly contextual approach to understanding and engaging in the kingdom’s mission. Through …

A Critical Comparative Analysis Of The Ecclesiologies Of Carl F. H. Henry And James H. Cone Through The Lens Of Social Consciousness: Towards A Liberative Ecclesiology, Phyllis D. Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The doctrine of the Church has remained a controversial and enigmatic topic for centuries. Since its inception, scholars have debated the doctrine of the Church, challenged its boundaries, and questioned its role in society. As contemporary society evolves, the Church encounters multifaceted challenges, compelling it to adapt while maintaining its spiritual mission. To address this concern, this study analyzes the ecclesiologies of Carl F. H. Henry and James H. Cone through the lens of social consciousness. A critical comparative analysis provides the most dynamic framework for examining these perspectives. By exploring probable theological points of convergence and divergence, this study …

Engaging The Hindu Community Of Loudoun County, Va With The Gospel Of Jesus Christ: An Evangelism Course For Telugu Christian Fellowship Church, Ravinder Rufus Bhimanpalli

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This Doctor of Ministry project addressed the lack of effective evangelism toward the Hindu community by the Telugu Christian Fellowship Church (TCFC) in Ashburn, Virginia. Located 35 miles from Washington, D.C., TCFC serves a suburban congregation of approximately 300 members, with an average weekly attendance of 250. The church is located in Loudoun County, one of America’s most diverse and affluent regions, home to over 44,000 Asian Indians and an estimated 18,000 Hindus. Despite this, the church’s outreach efforts had remained scattered and underdeveloped. Most church members lacked cultural sensitivity, feared offending them, or simply lacked the confidence to engage …

Knowing What To Eat And When To Eat: Reading The Food Offering Text (1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1) From A Myanmar Christian Perspective, Hram Hu Lian

The Asbury Journal

Food offerings play a vital role in the socio-religious life of the people of Myanmar. This is mainly because food is served as a part of worship in religious settings (Nat worship, Ahlu pwe, and religious festivals), as well as a part of regular interactions in a social setting (workrelated dinner parties, dinner parties at a Buddhist neighbor’s house, and non-religious social gatherings). In this context, knowing what to eat, and when to eat, becomes crucially important for Myanmar Christians as often times a person encounters various questions in regard to food offerings such as; Should a Christian participate in …

Knowing What To Eat And When To Eat: Reading The Food Offering Text (1 Corinthians 8:1–11:1) From A Myanmar Christian Perspective (Burmese Version), Hram Hu Lian

The Asbury Journal

Food offerings play a vital role in the socio-religious life of the people of Myanmar. This is mainly because food is served as a part of worship in religious settings (Nat worship, Ahlu pwe, and religious festivals), as well as a part of regular interactions in a social setting (workrelated dinner parties, dinner parties at a Buddhist neighbor’s house, and non-religious social gatherings). In this context, knowing what to eat, and when to eat, becomes crucially important for Myanmar Christians as often times a person encounters various questions in regard to food offerings such as; Should a Christian participate in …

A Proposed Pentecostal Quadrilectic: Explorations For Asian Pentecostal Hermeneutics, Lora Angeline E. Timenia

Spiritus: ORU Journal of Theology

Developing a general framework for Asian Pentecostal hermeneutics is necessary for a continent where the Holy Bible is “Scripture among scriptures.” Although Pentecostal Christianity in Asia is growing, interpreting Scripture in a manner relevant to local contextual realities is necessary to propagate grassroots theologies. As such, the current Pentecostal hermeneutical triad of Spirit-Scripture-Community (Archer) or Spirit-Word-Community (Yong) needs further articulations of a reader’s tradition and cultural/ethnic contexts. The concept of an interpretive “Pentecostal community” needs clarification in the Asian setting where multiple interpretative communities exist. This study proposes a framework that recognizes the dialectical role of the text’s context and …

The Relationship Between Multicultural Christianity And Spiritual Formation: Quantitative Correlational Study, Jack Andrew Wingard

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The population in America has changed dramatically over the past twenty years. The homogenous communities present when churches began in America have become heterogeneous. The homogeneous church growth models have possibly hindered spiritual formation for churches in America. Multicultural churches seek to solve this problem by creating environments that strategically create congregations that match the demographics of American communities. This correlational study aimed to explore if a relationship exists between multicultural church practices and spiritual formation in spiritual, social, and intellectual areas. The study employed survey instrumentation that used the MCSFS. Overall, five distinctly multicultural churches spread out across America …

African Christians Or Christian Africans: Byang H. Kato And His Contextual Theology, Sochanngam Shirik

The Asbury Journal

Byang Henry Kato, a promising African Christian leader, passed away in 1975 at only 39 years of age. In spite of his brief career, he has left his imprint on the pages of African Christian history. He is not without his supporters and critics alike. It appears that while his critics have misunderstood him in some aspects, his supporters have not paid enough attention to his theological conviction and articulation. While this article aims at clarifying some of Kato's conviction, it also informs readers how, regardless of context and time, others can appreciate, learn, and even adopt some aspects of …

A Wesleyan Missiological Perspective On Holiness Across Cultures, Marcus W. Dean

The Asbury Journal

Missiology has focused on various aspects of contextualization and the importance of salvation, but has not dealt extensively with the biblical concept of holiness. From a Wesleyan perspective this paper looks at holiness from the lens of contextualization. A biblical support of contextualization is presented. Then the cultural factors of values—the dynamics of shame, guilt, and fear are explored— and purity are examined as starting points to contextualize the holiness message. While holiness is ultimately about ethical life and relationships, the message must be built upon culturally understandable concepts.

Waltzing With Wesley: Wesleyan Theology As A Renewing Framework For Chinese Christian Spirituality And Global Identity, Samuel K. Law

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Pentecostal Music In The Public Square: The Christian Songs And Music Of Juan Luis Guerra, Kelly J. Godoy De Danielson, Robert Danielson

The Asbury Journal

No abstract provided.

Tarian Perdamaian: Enacting Alternative Hindu/Christian Identity Discourses Through "Secular" Balinese Performing Arts, Dustin D. Wiebe

Yale Journal of Music & Religion

This article examines the nature of interreligious relations between Protestants of the Bali Church and Hindus as enacted through dramatic forms of Balinese music and dance. Particular attention is paid to the influence of mass tourism as a contributing factor in this process. Since the early twentieth century these arts have formed a central component of a pan-Balinese identity discourse known as" kebalian." The first Balinese converted to Christianity during the 1930s and were subsequently excommunicated from their ancestral villages for refusing to participate in local customary practices (including the ritualistic use of gamelan music). For this reason, Balinese …

Summary Of The Round Table Discussions - 1, Patrick S. Nogoy

Landas

On the second day of the International Theological Symposium, two round table discussions were held at the LST Cardinal Sin Center in response to the various speeches delivered on the first day of the symposium. The discussion focused on the question “how do we lead and serve through theology in the changing Asian contexts?” Each round table discussion had a moderator. Each panelist was given 3 minutes to present their reaction. A free-flowing discussion among the panelists followed. Afterward, the floor was opened for the audience to interact with the panelists and also to share their reactions.

Inductive Bible Study: Contextual Appropriation In Northeast India, M. Sashi Jamir

The Asbury Journal

M. Sashi Jamir examines the application of Inductive Bible Study to the tribal communities of Northeast India. This postcolonial situation has some positives such as a context with a higher degree of education, but it has also lead to a prominence of Western philosophy over traditional ways of understanding, which need to be reclaimed. The reality that larger national forces in India often overshadow tribal communities also poses potential problems that prevent the local theological voice from being heard.

Contextualizing The Gospel To Muslims, Maya J. Morgan

Seminary Masters Theses

Muslims are considered some of the least reached peoples in the world. As "Christianity" is often associated with Colonialism, the Crusades, and Western culture, traditional models of “casting the seed” have proven ineffective. Those seeking to share the goodness with Muslims must explore new contextual ways to communicate the message of Christ to the Islamic community. This thesis begins by defining and giving a brief history of contextualization. Basic methods of contextualization are explained, and issued of syncretism are addressed in chapter one.

Contextualization must be practiced when communicating the good news. Chapter two focuses on the aspects of cross-­‐cultural …