Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization

Reuben Turbi Luka; Danjuma Leo Byang

doi:doi:10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17

Research Article |

| Peer-Reviewed

Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization

Reuben Turbi Luka^*

, Danjuma Leo Byang

Published in Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 6)

Received: 7 November 2024 Accepted: 23 November 2024 Published: 12 December 2024

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

For several decades, particularly from the 1950s, discussions began about the need to contextualize the Gospel message to make it relevant to specific contexts of people groups in order for proper integration and establishment of the message of Jesus Christ among the various cultures of the world. In this article, we shall show that several arguments have been used to establish contextual theologies in a bid to demonstrate their relevance in the frontiers of Christian missions on the vanguard of Christian campaigns. Even the field of systematic theology and practical theology are not left out as the discussion of contextualization is argued through biblical theology, to show that God all along has used the approach and methodology of contextualization in reaching His creation, and deployed the same through the redemptive process—incarnation, thus, the need to recognize its critical position, and hence secure for it a seat of prominence in theology and ministry. Given that the context discussion of contextualization arose essentially seven decades back—a time, when nations of the world were divided along cultural, religious, political and economic barriers, contextual theologies were critical to making sense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the different worldviews and cultures of the world. In recent times, however, the world has shrunk to a global village, thereby collapsing these barriers and erasing diversity. Against this background, a historical methodology is employed to critically examine and demonstrate how globalization has become a thorn in the flesh of contextual theologies.

Published in	Humanities and Social Sciences (Volume 12, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17
Page(s)	229-235
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Contextualization/Inculturation, Theology, Globalization, Culture, Challenges

References

[1]	Ballano, Vivencio. 2020. “Inculturation, Anthropology, and the Empirical Dimension of Evangelization,” in Religions: 11, 101.
[2]	Blair, T., 2009. “Faith and globalization,” in Blair Foundation Lectures, voice recording, Tony Faith Foundation. Retrieved 15 October 2020. http://tonyblairfaithfoundation.org/projects/supporting-leaders/supporting-leaders-teaching-resources
[3]	Duncan, G. A., 2014. “Inculturation: Adaptation, Innovation and Reflexivity. An African Christian perspective,” in HTS Teologiese Studies/Theological Studies 70(1), Art. #2669, P. 11 Retrieved 15 October 2020. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/hts.v70i1.2669
[4]	Friedman, Thomas L. 2007. The World is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-First Century. NY: Picador.
[5]	Hesselgrave, David J. 1991. Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally: An Introduction to Missionary Communication. 2nd Edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.
[6]	Hiebert, Paul G., Daniel Shaw R., and Tiénou Tite. 1999. Understanding Folk Religion: A Christian Response to Peoples’ Beliefs and Practices. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Book House.
[7]	Joanne, Neal. 2010. “Christian Implications of Globalization,” in A Monograph as a Visiting Professor of Pastoral Leadership, Graduate Theological Foundation; 79. https://www.gtfeducation.org/images/dynamic/file/Globalization-Monograph1.pdf
[8]	Kato H. Byang "The Gospel, Cultural Context and Religious Syncretism," in Let the Earth Hear His Voice, ed. by J. D. Douglas (1075). Minneapolis: World Wide Publications; 1217.
[9]	Shenk, Calvin E. 1993 “The Demise of the Church in North Africa and Nubia and Its Survival in Egypt and Ethiopia: A Question of Contextualization?” In Missiology: An International Review,” Vol 2, April, (128-154).
[10]	Kajom, David Haji. 2019. The Fundamentals of Research Methodology in Religious Studies. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press Limited.
[11]	Ormerod, Neil J. and Shane Clifton. 2009. Globalization and the Mission of the Church: Ecclesiological Investigations. NY: T&T Clark.
[12]	Osuala, C. E. 2005. Introduction to Research Methodology. Enugu: Africana-First Publishers Limited.
[13]	Opoku, K. A. 2012. “Skinny but Imperishable Truth: African Religious Heritage and the Regeneration of Africa,” in Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae 38 (suppl.), 141–151.
[14]	Theological Education Fund (TEF Staff). 1972. Ministry in Context: The Third Mandate Programme of the Theological Education Fund (1970-77). Bromley, Kent, England: The Theological Education Fund.
[15]	Luka, Turbi Reuben. 2019. Jesus Christ as Ancestor: A Theological Study of Major African Ancestor Christologies in Conversation with the Patristic Christologies of Tertullian and Athanasius. Carlisle: Langham Monographs.
[16]	Luka, Turbi Reuben. 2024. “Jesus Christ as Ancestor,” in the Saint Andrews University Encylopaedia of Theology. Branden Wolfe et al (eds). Aug 30, ISSN 2753-3492. https://www.saet.ac.uk/christianity/jesuschristasancestor Retrieved September 4, 2024.
[17]	Makoni, T. Julius. Identify Some Central Implications for Christian Theology of the Shift in the Centre of Gravity from North to South. http://www.westcott.cam.ac.uk/resources/articlesandsermons/Globalisation_Challenges_Theology_Makoni_March08.pdf retrieved May 31, 2023.
[18]	Reader, J. 2008. Reconstructing Practical Theology: The Impact of Globalization. Burlington, NJ: Ashgate Publishing Company.
[19]	Richard w. Engle. 1983. “Contextualization in Missions: A Biblical and Theological Appraisal,” in Grace Theological Journal 4.1 p. 85-107 (Accessed on November 3, 2020) https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/gtj/04-1_085.pdf#:~:text=Contextualization%20as%20a%20term%20in%20missions%20arose%20in,economic%20independence%2C%20they%20increasingly%20assert%20their%20cultural%20identity
[20]	Yates, Josh. 2004. “Globalization and The Gospel: Rethinking Mission in the Contemporary World” LOP30, Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Luka, R. T., Byang, D. L. (2024). Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(6), 229-235. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Luka, R. T.; Byang, D. L. Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2024, 12(6), 229-235. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Luka RT, Byang DL. Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization. Humanit Soc Sci. 2024;12(6):229-235. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17,
  author = {Reuben Turbi Luka and Danjuma Leo Byang},
  title = {Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization
},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {6},
  pages = {229-235},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20241206.17},
  abstract = {For several decades, particularly from the 1950s, discussions began about the need to contextualize the Gospel message to make it relevant to specific contexts of people groups in order for proper integration and establishment of the message of Jesus Christ among the various cultures of the world. In this article, we shall show that several arguments have been used to establish contextual theologies in a bid to demonstrate their relevance in the frontiers of Christian missions on the vanguard of Christian campaigns. Even the field of systematic theology and practical theology are not left out as the discussion of contextualization is argued through biblical theology, to show that God all along has used the approach and methodology of contextualization in reaching His creation, and deployed the same through the redemptive process—incarnation, thus, the need to recognize its critical position, and hence secure for it a seat of prominence in theology and ministry. Given that the context discussion of contextualization arose essentially seven decades back—a time, when nations of the world were divided along cultural, religious, political and economic barriers, contextual theologies were critical to making sense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the different worldviews and cultures of the world. In recent times, however, the world has shrunk to a global village, thereby collapsing these barriers and erasing diversity. Against this background, a historical methodology is employed to critically examine and demonstrate how globalization has become a thorn in the flesh of contextual theologies.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization

AU  - Reuben Turbi Luka
AU  - Danjuma Leo Byang
Y1  - 2024/12/12
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 229
EP  - 235
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17
AB  - For several decades, particularly from the 1950s, discussions began about the need to contextualize the Gospel message to make it relevant to specific contexts of people groups in order for proper integration and establishment of the message of Jesus Christ among the various cultures of the world. In this article, we shall show that several arguments have been used to establish contextual theologies in a bid to demonstrate their relevance in the frontiers of Christian missions on the vanguard of Christian campaigns. Even the field of systematic theology and practical theology are not left out as the discussion of contextualization is argued through biblical theology, to show that God all along has used the approach and methodology of contextualization in reaching His creation, and deployed the same through the redemptive process—incarnation, thus, the need to recognize its critical position, and hence secure for it a seat of prominence in theology and ministry. Given that the context discussion of contextualization arose essentially seven decades back—a time, when nations of the world were divided along cultural, religious, political and economic barriers, contextual theologies were critical to making sense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the different worldviews and cultures of the world. In recent times, however, the world has shrunk to a global village, thereby collapsing these barriers and erasing diversity. Against this background, a historical methodology is employed to critically examine and demonstrate how globalization has become a thorn in the flesh of contextual theologies.

VL  - 12
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

Reuben Turbi Luka

Theological Studies, Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0005-8185-2698
Danjuma Leo Byang

Theological Studies, Jos ECWA Theological Seminary, Jos, Nigeria

Contact Email

http://orcid.org/0009-0006-2451-4163

Download PDF

Submit an Article

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Luka, R. T., Byang, D. L. (2024). Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(6), 229-235. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17

Copy | Download

ACS Style

Luka, R. T.; Byang, D. L. Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization. Humanit. Soc. Sci. 2024, 12(6), 229-235. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17

Copy | Download

AMA Style

Luka RT, Byang DL. Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization. Humanit Soc Sci. 2024;12(6):229-235. doi: 10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17,
  author = {Reuben Turbi Luka and Danjuma Leo Byang},
  title = {Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization
},
  journal = {Humanities and Social Sciences},
  volume = {12},
  number = {6},
  pages = {229-235},
  doi = {10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.hss.20241206.17},
  abstract = {For several decades, particularly from the 1950s, discussions began about the need to contextualize the Gospel message to make it relevant to specific contexts of people groups in order for proper integration and establishment of the message of Jesus Christ among the various cultures of the world. In this article, we shall show that several arguments have been used to establish contextual theologies in a bid to demonstrate their relevance in the frontiers of Christian missions on the vanguard of Christian campaigns. Even the field of systematic theology and practical theology are not left out as the discussion of contextualization is argued through biblical theology, to show that God all along has used the approach and methodology of contextualization in reaching His creation, and deployed the same through the redemptive process—incarnation, thus, the need to recognize its critical position, and hence secure for it a seat of prominence in theology and ministry. Given that the context discussion of contextualization arose essentially seven decades back—a time, when nations of the world were divided along cultural, religious, political and economic barriers, contextual theologies were critical to making sense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the different worldviews and cultures of the world. In recent times, however, the world has shrunk to a global village, thereby collapsing these barriers and erasing diversity. Against this background, a historical methodology is employed to critically examine and demonstrate how globalization has become a thorn in the flesh of contextual theologies.
},
 year = {2024}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Contextual Theology and the Challenge of Globalization

AU  - Reuben Turbi Luka
AU  - Danjuma Leo Byang
Y1  - 2024/12/12
PY  - 2024
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17
DO  - 10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17
T2  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JF  - Humanities and Social Sciences
JO  - Humanities and Social Sciences
SP  - 229
EP  - 235
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-8184
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.hss.20241206.17
AB  - For several decades, particularly from the 1950s, discussions began about the need to contextualize the Gospel message to make it relevant to specific contexts of people groups in order for proper integration and establishment of the message of Jesus Christ among the various cultures of the world. In this article, we shall show that several arguments have been used to establish contextual theologies in a bid to demonstrate their relevance in the frontiers of Christian missions on the vanguard of Christian campaigns. Even the field of systematic theology and practical theology are not left out as the discussion of contextualization is argued through biblical theology, to show that God all along has used the approach and methodology of contextualization in reaching His creation, and deployed the same through the redemptive process—incarnation, thus, the need to recognize its critical position, and hence secure for it a seat of prominence in theology and ministry. Given that the context discussion of contextualization arose essentially seven decades back—a time, when nations of the world were divided along cultural, religious, political and economic barriers, contextual theologies were critical to making sense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ among the different worldviews and cultures of the world. In recent times, however, the world has shrunk to a global village, thereby collapsing these barriers and erasing diversity. Against this background, a historical methodology is employed to critically examine and demonstrate how globalization has become a thorn in the flesh of contextual theologies.

VL  - 12
IS  - 6
ER  -

Copy | Download