Local Theology for the Global Church: Principles for an Evangelical Approach to Contextualization (Globalization of Mission) Paperback – June 27, 2010

I had to read most of this book for school. It was a good read, and had much food-for-thought! I plan to finish reading on my own the chapters we did not cover in class.

How does one contextualize the message of the Gospel without compromising either its message or corrupting it in some way the way it is transmitted? Without embracing the warning of Marshall McLuhan that the "medium is the message" it is nevertheless important to realize that as various media are used in various cultures the message risks to be modified.How does one keep the integrity of the message in theologizing locally? That is the goal of this book. The foreword gives the two guidelines stating, "We are not concerned with how everyone does theology. Nor are we concerned to justify our position with respect to non-evangelicals. Our commitments are markedly and unapologetically evangelical. Our concern is that other evangelicals recognize the implications of their commitments in doing contextualized theology" (vii).The great value of these studies is the varied authorship and the global authorship. In eleven chapters eleven authors give their thinking on this important missiological principle.In the introduction, Rob Haskell declares "Contextualization must be a holistic integration of the gospel message into the warp and woof of particular cultures in which Christians live" (ix). This reviewer appreciates this concern shown right at the beginning of the book.It would be impossible to reviews each of the authors and chapters but it is certain that this is a serious effort to think through one of the most important themes in cross-cultural ministry. I would even say that this study will help understand that not only cross-culturally but even from region to region of any given culture, care needs to be given to contextualize in order to be relevant and understood.I would particularly point out the value of chapter one, "Paul the Contextualizer" and chapter ten,Evangelical Models of Contextualization." In this latter chapter, A. Scott Moreau helps us to see the strengths and weaknesses of the various approaches.This reviewer could not agree more with the last chapter on "Bridging Theory and Training" by Patricia Harrison who quotes anthropologist Wayne Dye, "Many Bible school teachers, he claimed, were 'training the wrong people in the wrong plce and in the wrong way' "(197). There needs to be a greater understanding of training within and for context to do a better job of contextualization that is effective.In reflecting on the various approaches to contextualization seen in this book, one will need to constantly ask to what degree is this approach moving toward syncretism more than just contextualization. That will be your job as a discerning reader