asian pentecostal theologizing: agendas and issues
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ASIAN PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGIZING: Agendas and Issues. DATES: 28 Sept 2007 VENUE: AGBC, Singapore. THE TRADITIONAL DIVISIONS IN A SEMINARY CURRICULUM. Bible – Biblical Theology Theology – Systematic Theology History – Historical Theology Praxis – Practical Theology. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
ASIAN PENTECOSTAL ASIAN PENTECOSTAL THEOLOGIZING: THEOLOGIZING:
Agendas and IssuesAgendas and IssuesDATES: 28 Sept 2007
VENUE: AGBC, Singapore
THE TRADITIONAL DIVISIONS IN THE TRADITIONAL DIVISIONS IN A SEMINARY CURRICULUMA SEMINARY CURRICULUM
►Bible – Biblical TheologyBible – Biblical Theology►Theology – Systematic TheologyTheology – Systematic Theology►History – Historical TheologyHistory – Historical Theology►Praxis – Practical TheologyPraxis – Practical Theology
““Book-ends” Model – The Book-ends” Model – The Pentecostals’ Leap of FaithPentecostals’ Leap of Faith
EARLY EARLY CHURCHCHURCH
2020thth/21/21stst C. C. CHURCHCHURCH
BIBLEBIBLE PRAXISPRAXIS
Church Church HistoryHistory
TheologyTheologyHistoryHistory
Doing Theology in a CommunityDoing Theology in a Community
We believe that truth is not found in We believe that truth is not found in Spirit-illuminated individuals, but in a Spirit-illuminated individuals, but in a community of Spirit-illuminated community of Spirit-illuminated individuals. Therefore, we believe that individuals. Therefore, we believe that the Body of Christ, both alive and dead, the Body of Christ, both alive and dead, must come together to understand must come together to understand theology, shaping it from many theology, shaping it from many perspectives and differing experiences. perspectives and differing experiences. This is doing theology in a community.This is doing theology in a community.
Why not “Western” Why not “Western” Theology?Theology?
► It perpetuates Western world-view, It perpetuates Western world-view, values and theological values and theological presuppositions.presuppositions.
► It relieves churches of other lands of It relieves churches of other lands of the urgent priority to develop their the urgent priority to develop their own theologies.own theologies.
► It unconsciously perpetuates an It unconsciously perpetuates an unacceptable theological imperialism – unacceptable theological imperialism – the idea that West is right & better.the idea that West is right & better.
Reasons for Rejection of non-Reasons for Rejection of non-Western Cultures by Western Western Cultures by Western
MissionariesMissionaries► The Rise of ColonialismThe Rise of Colonialism
Demonstrated the superiority of Western Demonstrated the superiority of Western civilizationcivilization
► The Theory of Cultural EvolutionThe Theory of Cultural Evolution Evolution legitimized superiority of Western Evolution legitimized superiority of Western
civilization in terms of historycivilization in terms of history► The Triumph of ScienceThe Triumph of Science
Science and Christianity provided the Science and Christianity provided the intellectual foundations for Western superiorityintellectual foundations for Western superiority
Therefore, period from 1800-1950 was “anti-Therefore, period from 1800-1950 was “anti-contextual.” (Paul Hiebert)contextual.” (Paul Hiebert)
Ralph Winter’s “25 Unbelievable Ralph Winter’s “25 Unbelievable Years”Years”
►Peak of Western expansion in 1945 Peak of Western expansion in 1945 when 99.5% of non-Western world was when 99.5% of non-Western world was under Western dominationunder Western domination
►By 1969, 99.5% of the world became By 1969, 99.5% of the world became independent!independent!
►Rise of nationalism and desire to Rise of nationalism and desire to express Christianity in own cultural express Christianity in own cultural forms resulting in uncritical forms resulting in uncritical contextualizationcontextualization
Beyond CultureBeyond Culture
►Developmental Stages:Developmental Stages: SuperstitionSuperstition – spiritistic worldview – spiritistic worldview Religion Religion – communalistic worldview– communalistic worldview CultureCulture – materialistic worldview – materialistic worldview
►TEF’s contextualization: Missiology, TEF’s contextualization: Missiology, theological approach, educational theological approach, educational method, educational structuremethod, educational structure
►Now includes “technology” . . . Now includes “technology” . . .
Culture and ChristianityCulture and Christianity
► The encounter between Christianity and any The encounter between Christianity and any culture is governed by the culture is governed by the dialecticdialectic of of rupturerupture and and continuitycontinuity
► There is no contextualization without a There is no contextualization without a process of creative process of creative re-interpretationre-interpretation
► Christianity never encounters a culture in its Christianity never encounters a culture in its “pure” form: the “pure” form: the cultural cultural and and religiousreligious elements are always intermingled.elements are always intermingled.
Geffre, “Christianity and Culture” IRM 84 (1995): 17-31
Christ and Culture – 5 possibilitiesChrist and Culture – 5 possibilitiesAdapted from Richard Adapted from Richard
NiebhurNiebhur
Agreement:Agreement:Culture Culture idealized; we idealized; we are to perfect are to perfect itit
Synthesis:Synthesis:Christ stands Christ stands above culture above culture and yet and yet embraces it in embraces it in its highest its highest aspects to aspects to transcend ittranscend it
Conversion:Conversion:Culture is Culture is fallen but fallen but redeemable; redeemable; we seek to we seek to recreate it by recreate it by converting it converting it to Christian to Christian communitycommunity
Tension:Tension:Live the gospel Live the gospel in an in an unconquerably unconquerably immoral immoral society society separating separating from culturefrom culture
Opposition:Opposition:Deny or Deny or reject culturereject culture
Beyond the “Indigenous Beyond the “Indigenous Church Principle”Church Principle”
Henry Venn & Rufus Anderson :Henry Venn & Rufus Anderson :► Self-governingSelf-governing► Self-supportingSelf-supporting► Self-extending/propagatingSelf-extending/propagating
John Nevius’ MethodJohn Nevius’ MethodChina’s “Three-Self Church”China’s “Three-Self Church”
But, still saddled with Western theological But, still saddled with Western theological systems, Western presuppositions, etc. systems, Western presuppositions, etc. A 4A 4thth category is needed: category is needed: Self-Self-theologizingtheologizing
Two views of Revelation Two views of Revelation
► PropositionProposition revelation is revelation is
propositional in nature; propositional in nature; the goal is to the goal is to communicate the communicate the Christian faith Christian faith propositionally across propositionally across cultural and linguistic cultural and linguistic barriers.barriers.
► ExistentialExistential revelation is the revelation is the
subjective experience of subjective experience of God; the goal is to God; the goal is to communicate the communicate the Christian faith in light of Christian faith in light of the historical and cultural the historical and cultural context (and moment) context (and moment) and God’s work towards and God’s work towards human fulfillment within human fulfillment within that moment.that moment.
HellenisticHellenistic HebraicHebraic
TWO POLES:TWO POLES:
►StaticStatic► Faithfulness to the Faithfulness to the
eternal message of eternal message of the Word of Godthe Word of God
► ““Technical”Technical”► RevelationRevelation
►DynamicDynamic► Sensitivity to the Sensitivity to the
ever-changing ever-changing contexts of the contexts of the worldworld
► ““Popular”Popular”► RelevanceRelevance
Bipolarity in Pauline Theology Bipolarity in Pauline Theology (Beker)(Beker)
Think about “CenterCenter” and “CircumferenceCircumference” in a circle . . .
Dualism, Monism, Holism: A Simplistic Diagrammatic Representation
DUALISM: Separated Categories. “Either/Or”Greek/Western“Neglected Middle”
MONISM: Confused Categories. “Neither/Nor” Eastern Mysticism“Finding the Balance”
HOLISM: Separated but Together. “Both/And”Biblical Holism“Holding the Tension”
THEOLOGIZING: A CONTEXTUAL MODEL
Methodology & Model
STEPHEN BEVAN’S FIVE MODELS OF CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY
GOSPEL MESSAGEGOSPEL MESSAGETraditionTradition
CULTURECULTURESocial ChangeSocial Change
Translation Translation ModelModel
Synthetic Synthetic ModelModel
Praxis Praxis ModelModel
TranscendentalTranscendentalModelModel
Anthropological Anthropological ModelModel
CreationCreationOrientedOriented
RedemptionRedemptionOrientedOriented
Evangelicals tend towards . . .
RedemptionRedemptionOrientedOriented
Translation Translation ModelModel
GOSPEL GOSPEL MESSAGEMESSAGETraditionTradition
CULTURECULTURESocial Social ChangeChange
“VERTICAL” ISSUES
Uniqueness of Christian revelation
Worship Forms, Christian sacraments, Church service
Ancestral Veneration, Funerary practices
Food offered to idols
The Church & the Christian
“HORIZONTAL” ISSUESSocial Transformation, The Church and the Community, poverty, blessings, etc.Filial Piety, memorial/history, etc.Political involvement, church & state, church leadership, etc.Family issues e.g. Marriage, Parenting, etc.Ethics e.g. bribery, nepotism, etc.Asian festivals
EVANGELICALISM/ORTHODOXYAs defined from Willowbank report:
“We recognize as central the themes of God as creator, the universality of sin, Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Lord of all and Savior through His atoning death and risen life, the necessity of conversion, the coming of the Holy Spirit and His transforming power, the fellowship and mission of the Christian church and the hope of Christ’s return.”
Evangelicals are more interested in spiritual (“vertical”) issues . . .
Bebbington’s Definition
Conversionism - the belief that lives need to be changed
Activism - the expression of the gospel in effort
Biblicism - a particular regard for the Bible
Crucicentrism - a stress on the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. A second sense is to look at evangelicalism as an organic group of movements and religious tradition
Favored Positions of Asian Theology
Philosophy East instead of West
Methodology “from below” instead of “from above”
Politics left instead of right
Issues horizontal instead of vertical
Traditional “Sources” for Christian Theology
BibleTradition (History)Reason (Philosophy)
Weightage depends on our traditions!Roman Catholics“Traditional” mainline churchesEvangelical churches
TENSIONS IN THEOLOGYText-Context
Which one comes first?
Form-ContentCan they be separated? Can truth be expressed without form?
Meaning-SignificanceAre they different?
Descriptive(Propositional)-PrescriptiveWhich one is more important?
Etic-EmicShould we choose one over the other?
All these need not be “either-or” choices. We can have both alternatives held at tension.
West and East still need each other:
• Emic – Analysis from an “Insider” participant
• Etic – Analysis from an “Outsider” participant
Globalized (“Universal”; “Planetary”) Theology
Hermeneutical area of meaning and significance . . .
REVELATION:REVELATION:
RELEVANCE:RELEVANCE: READER:READER:
Parameters of the theological (hermeneutical) process:
Revelation
Text, Objectivity
Relevance
Theology, Contextuality
Reader
Theologian, Subjectivity
All held in tension with each otherAll held in tension with each other
Revelation:Text, Objectivity
CREATION (God’s Works)The heavens declare . . .
CONSCIENCE (God’s Witness)A natural instinct of right and wrong
CHRIST (God’s Word)The highest revelation of God
Relevance: Theology, Contextuality
ALL theology is contextual
Irrelevance: Middle Ages, Monastic, Cloistered Christianity
Kraft: theology, when perceived as irrelevant, is in fact irrelevant
History: Historical(Chronos) & Historic(Kairos)
The incarnational model
Reader: Theologian, Subjectivity
Different “Readings” of the same text
Postmodernity and Reader-Response Hermeneutics
Internalizing (instead of rationalizing or relativizing) the truth
To understand the tensions . . . REVELATION:REVELATION: Text, SubjectivityText, Subjectivity
RELEVANCE:RELEVANCE: Theology, Theology,
ContextualityContextuality
READER:READER: Theologian, Theologian, SubjectivitySubjectivity
To further clarify the picture . . .REVELATION:REVELATION:
ORTHODOXY, ORTHODOXY, HEAD, FACTHEAD, FACT
RELEVANCE:RELEVANCE: ORTHOPRAXIS, ORTHOPRAXIS, HAND, REALITYHAND, REALITY
READER:READER: ORTHOPATHY, ORTHOPATHY, HEART, TRUTHHEART, TRUTH
Theology in flux
River of “Living” Theology
“The Bible is the Word of God”
“Jesus is Lord”
Two banks of the “River of Living Theology”:
“Living” suggests continuing change
Point of Departure: The Bible is Word of God
Climatic Declaration: Jesus is Lord
Human and Divine tension BUT this is NOT relativism
Incarnational Nature of the Bible
ULTIMATE MISSION: “MISSIONS”
The only reason for Jesus leaving The only reason for Jesus leaving the disciples behind on earth was the disciples behind on earth was the Great Commission:the Great Commission:
The Conclusion of Matthew’s The Conclusion of Matthew’s Gospel: Matt. 28:16-20Gospel: Matt. 28:16-20
““Mountain” – The ClimaxMountain” – The Climax
““Authority” – The CruxAuthority” – The Crux
““All” – The ComprehensivenessAll” – The Comprehensiveness
AN EVANGELICAL APPROACH TO CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY
River of “Living” Theology
“The Bible is the Word of God”
“Jesus is Lord”
TEXT:Revelation
CRITIC:Reader
CONTEXT:
Relevance
Parameters for Contextual
Hermeneutics
Missiological Motive:
“The Great Commission”
HERMENEUTICSHERMENEUTICS APPLICATIONSAPPLICATIONSULTIMATE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE
GENERAL DIRECTIONS OF THEOLOGIZATION
River of “Living” Theology
“The Bible is the Word of God”
“Jesus is Lord”
TEXT:Revelation
CRITIC:Reader
CONTEXT:
Relevance
Parameters for Contextual
Hermeneutics
Missiological Motive:
“The Great Commission”
TODAY
PAUL
IDEALLY, theologization should be BI-DIRECTIONAL . . .
River of “Living” Theology
“The Bible is the Word of God”
“Jesus is Lord”
TEXT:Revelation
CRITIC:Reader
CONTEXT:
Relevance
Parameters for Contextual
Hermeneutics
Missiological Motive:
“The Great Commission”
TODAY
PAL
Pentecostal/EvangelicalsPentecostal/Evangelicals
Pentecostals have all the elements of Pentecostals have all the elements of evangelicalism, with the addition of the evangelicalism, with the addition of the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the Baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues.evidence of speaking in tongues.
Therefore, Pentecostals are sometimes Therefore, Pentecostals are sometimes referred to as “referred to as “Evangelical PlusEvangelical Plus.” .”
Of course, we can also view Evangelicals Of course, we can also view Evangelicals (especially the Charismatics) as (especially the Charismatics) as “Pentecostals Minus”“Pentecostals Minus”
TRINITARIAN CHRISTIANITYTRINITARIAN CHRISTIANITY
EasterEaster
CreatioCreationn
PentecostPentecostEvangelicals
CatholicsLiberals
PentecostalsCharismatics
3 “Divine Intervention” Events3 “Divine Intervention” Events
Cre
atio
n
Cre
atio
n
CulminationCulmination
Cross
Cross
FATH
ER SON
SPIRIT
The “Divine Intervention Events” The “Divine Intervention Events” are God’s “Missionary Acts”are God’s “Missionary Acts”
It is in the concrete relational and experiential interface between God and man that the Trinity is understood better . . . and not in the traditional conceptual terms.
PENTECOSTAL PENTECOSTAL TRINITARIANISMTRINITARIANISM
ComplimentaryComplimentary CompletiveCompletive CulminativeCulminative
NOTNOT To competeTo compete To supplant To supplant To replaceTo replace
I suggest that this language is better than the oft-used restorative, revival, remnant terminologies.
WHY?
Schwarz’s Trinitarian ApproachSchwarz’s Trinitarian ApproachAccording to According to Schwarz, this is Schwarz, this is based on our based on our experiences of experiences of the Godhead. the Godhead. Therefore, this Therefore, this is not an is not an abstract abstract conception but conception but a description of a description of practical practical realities.realities.
Father,Father, Creator, Creator, Body, World, Body, World,
Science, Liberal, Science, Liberal, Syncretism, RainbowSyncretism, Rainbow
Spirit,Spirit, Pentecost, Pentecost, Spirit, Church, Spirit, Church,
Experience, Experience, Charismatic, Charismatic,
Spiritualism, DoveSpiritualism, Dove
Son,Son, Calvary, Soul, Calvary, Soul, Christ, Scripture, Christ, Scripture,
Evangelical, Evangelical, Dogmatism, CrossDogmatism, Cross
SONSON
FATHERFATHER
HOLY HOLY SPIRITSPIRIT
THE TRINITY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS: THE TRINITY AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS: A Simplistic Pentecostal Model.A Simplistic Pentecostal Model.
““MEDIATOR” (apportions)MEDIATOR” (apportions)
““GIVER” (creator/source)GIVER” (creator/source)
““GIFT” & “GIFTS” (empowers)GIFT” & “GIFTS” (empowers)
““HUMAN VESSELS” HUMAN VESSELS” (stewards)(stewards)““ALL FLESH”ALL FLESH”
HOLY HOLY SPIRITSPIRIT
FATHERFATHER SONSON
HOLY HOLY SPIRITSPIRIT
SONSON
FATHERFATHER
WESTERN WESTERN MODELMODEL
EASTERN EASTERN MODELMODEL
TWO MODELS OF THE TRINITYTWO MODELS OF THE TRINITY
TRINITARIAN PNEUMATOLOGYTRINITARIAN PNEUMATOLOGY Western ModelWestern Model
Christocentric and Holy Spirit Christocentric and Holy Spirit may lose Its dignity in the may lose Its dignity in the Trinity but it will remain a Trinity but it will remain a “Christian” Spirit.“Christian” Spirit.
Eastern Model Eastern Model Focus on God’s Focus on God’s Fatherhood and Spirit Fatherhood and Spirit may be “released from may be “released from Christian bondage.”Christian bondage.”
HOLY HOLY SPIRITSPIRIT
FATHERFATHER SONSON
HOLY HOLY SPIRITSPIRIT
SONSON
FATHERFATHER
SONSON
FATHERFATHER
HOLY HOLY SPIRITSPIRIT
HOLY HOLY SPIRITSPIRIT
FATHERFATHER SONSON
PENTECOSTAL & WESTERN MODELPENTECOSTAL & WESTERN MODEL
Theological model of most Pentecostals
The “real” model of most Pentecostals
Restoring Pentecostalism’s Restoring Pentecostalism’s Eastern/Orthodox HeritageEastern/Orthodox Heritage
History: Stanley BurgessHistory: Stanley Burgess Spirituality: Simon ChanSpirituality: Simon Chan Theology: Amos YongTheology: Amos Yong
Pentecostal Missions & Pentecostal Missions & Contextualization of TrinityContextualization of Trinity
Pentecostals as “true” Trinitarians; Trinitarians Pentecostals as “true” Trinitarians; Trinitarians with powerwith power
(Difference between “Pentecostals” & (Difference between “Pentecostals” & “Charismatics” . . . )“Charismatics” . . . )
Trinity is example of early effort at Trinity is example of early effort at contextualization – Jewish to Greekcontextualization – Jewish to Greek
The main stumbling block of Christian mission to The main stumbling block of Christian mission to Islam is the doctrine of the TrinityIslam is the doctrine of the Trinity
Pentecostals are at an advantage: Pentecostals are at an advantage: • Missionary zealMissionary zeal• the “power/praxis” aspectthe “power/praxis” aspect
Pentecostals are weak in history & theology: Pentecostals are weak in history & theology: • Missionary zealMissionary zeal• the “power/praxis” aspectthe “power/praxis” aspect
Results of Contextualized MissionsResults of Contextualized Missions
Planting Churches instead of Converting Planting Churches instead of Converting IndividualsIndividuals
Coherence between Form and MeaningCoherence between Form and Meaning Relevance of Christian messageRelevance of Christian message ““Kingdom” mentality – remove barriersKingdom” mentality – remove barriers ““Level playing field” for theological Level playing field” for theological
enterpriseenterprise Ownership of missiological enterpriseOwnership of missiological enterprise
Shifting Focus? Culture to ReligionShifting Focus? Culture to Religion
Earlier Discussion: Missions and CultureEarlier Discussion: Missions and Culture • Purely cultural and supracultural Gospel elements Purely cultural and supracultural Gospel elements
identifiable and separableidentifiable and separable• ““Christian Faith” vis-a-vis “worldviews”Christian Faith” vis-a-vis “worldviews”• Solution – simplisticSolution – simplistic
Current Discussion: Missions and ReligionCurrent Discussion: Missions and Religion• Religion and culture are admixtures of each otherReligion and culture are admixtures of each other• ““Christian Faith” vis-a-vis “faiths”Christian Faith” vis-a-vis “faiths”• Solution – complexSolution – complex
Greatest Challenge today is IslamGreatest Challenge today is Islam • We see the complex contextualization issues hereWe see the complex contextualization issues here• ““John Travis” proposed the C1-C6 Spectrum, John Travis” proposed the C1-C6 Spectrum,
opting/allowing for C5 (“Mosque Christians” or opting/allowing for C5 (“Mosque Christians” or “Messianic Muslims”)“Messianic Muslims”)