These are questions to help guide your reading and to prompt interaction. Do not feel as though you have to type out an answer to every question. Also, think of scripture or accounts from scripture which may relate. The Word of God is always the final authority, although Conn may challenge the way that you view and interpret the Word.
One of the foci of this first chapter is culture. Culture is essentially good. God commanded man to fill and subdue the earth in the creation account. To accomplish this, man must develop culture. But after the fall, culture has become affected by the sin of man and the fallness of the world. So culture is both good and evil and, like everything else in this world, is in need of the redemption of Christ. Some aspects of culture are completely irredeemable and must be thrown aside (such as racism in America). This is often easier to see in others' culture than our own. For instance, part of the Haiti culture is a strong belief and connection with the spirit world. We often see this as a negative aspect as they attempt to use the spirits to receive healing or prosperity. But there is also a redeemable aspect to this as Haitian Christians have a better understanding of the spiritual battle which we are truly fighting and the power of prayer to the God who created the heavens and the earth. In America we may hold hard-work and diligence as good aspects of our culture. It helps us to be productive and efficient, but it also tends to dehumanize workers and to devalue the importance of relationships.
All of us live and operate within a culture; it is a part of who we are, the way the view the world, and it affects the way we interact with this world and its people. What are a few of the themes of western culture that Conn points out which have impacted our Christianity (pg 16-18)? What aspects of these themes are good and what are bad? What aspects of our culture can we tend to impose upon others when we bring them the Gospel (think of the era of colonization when missionaries went to not only preach the gospel but also to civilize the natives)? How is this especially difficult in the area of community development? What are ways to we can evaluate ourselves to see if we are bringing the Gospel of Christ or the Gospel of America to another people?
Another focus of this chapter is "scratching where people itch" or contextualizing the Gospel. Conn claims that "God scratches where the world itches; He accommodates His revelation to the agenda set by the world." Do you agree or disagree? How does the way that Jesus lived and ministered on earth reflect (or not reflect) this statement? Where is the line between contextualization and syncretism (changing or distorting the Gospel)? Apart from understanding the Word of God deeper, what is the most essential step in order to contextualize the Gospel for a people?
Is there anything in this first chapter that stuck you, perplexed you, frustrated you, etc.? any lingering questions you have or terms that were confusing?
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3 comments:
Ben,
I am not sure if you would know, but what shots are needed for Haiti? From what I gather:
Hepatitis A and B
Tetanus
Malaria
Rabies
Typhoid
Yellow Fever seems to only be in Trinidad and Tobago, but Bruce says he has yellow fever shot. do you know if we should get this done?
Thanks for any input in this area.
I would get the yellow fever shot as well. I got it before i went for an extended time.
In response ot Chapter 1 of Conn's book:
I was really thought-provoked on the matter of contextualization, the art of planting the gospel seed in culture's diverse soils without also planting the flower pot(p.12). I think often times, as American Christians we are proudful and believe that Christianity is a Western religion, that we have it all right. This is certainly not the case. It all originated in the Middle East anyways. But for example, American Christians often go to places like China and want to impart knowledge on church growth, however they are doing a much better job than we are on that matter.
I think it is important to not to purposely try to doctrinate others in witnessing with one's culture. Of course, one's culture will be displayed through one's testimony, but the point of the testimony is to portray the power of the Cross, not the power of one's culture.
I think it is encouraging on the point of the Holy Spirit repersonlaizes the Bible across different world views(p.15) We don't have to necessarily adjust what we say to others, but we can simply attempt to be vessels delivering the Gospel and the Holy Spirit will illuminate the message to the recipients. However, Scripture does speak on in I Cor. 9:19-23 on being like those to who we are trying to win them over to Christ. And I think this is important that we become Haitian to those in Haiti, whatever that may entail.
To evaluate whether we are presented the Gospel, we should check our words with the preaching of Christ and Paul and see if the message is being distorted by our cultural intakes or misconceptions.
I think the most important means of contextualizing the Gospel is entering into relationship with people that they may understand the cultural experience you bring and understand the Gospel in that context and be able to see pure Gospel with the cultural matters not being a hindrance. Understanding the lives of those around you and thus being able to flesh out the Gospel to them in daily activities is also essential.
I agree and disagree with the statement God scratches where the world itches. I do believe that the Gospel is the answer that all inwardly seek and the resolution to the state of despair that they are in. I believe that all have an itch that God can scratch that can supercede any cultural barrier. Christ can reach a means of understanding with people that we can never reach.
However, Christ will not change the main tenets of His message because it makes someone uncomfortable. He will not accept sexual sin because within one's culture it is normal.
The message of Gospel although comforting on many levels also is upsetting on other levels. The fact that we must give up all gains to follow Him is unsettling.
I do also like a lot the fact that we must learn to listen to others. This is something I find fault in myself. I must learn to listen and take more concern in the lives of others as this shows the love of Christ. Often times we decide that the goal is to get someone to go to church or something like that and forget that Christ is relational and that we should be getting to know the person and find out why they aren't going to church.
These have been some of my thoughts after reading the first chapter. They are very jumbled and I hope you can make sense of it all. Blessings.
-John
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