Contextualization

Contextualization: Meanings, Methods, and Models is a classic textbook that brings together the meanings, proposals, and tasks involved in contextualization. The authors trace its historical development, beginning with its roots in the Bible and early Church. They examine how cultural, linguistic, and theological elements influence the way the Gospel is communicated across different contexts. The book highlights how the Church has wrestled with expressing timeless truths in culturally relevant ways, while maintaining biblical integrity.

Hesselgrave and Rommen engage with the ideas of key theologians and missiologists, evaluating a range of contextualization models—from traditional mission methods to more adaptive, culture-centered approaches. They provide a balanced critique of these proposals, identifying both strengths and limitations. The authors conclude by offering their own definition and approach to contextualization—one that is both faithful to Scripture and practically effective for global mission work today.

Those who have come to expect expert analysis of contextualization from David Hesselgrave will not be disappointed with this work. His expertise shines through in this book.
— from the Foreword, George W. Peters

Foreword by George W. Peters

Preface

Part 1- The Historical Background of Contextualization

Introduction to Part 1

1. Reflections from the Old and New Testaments

2. Reflections from the History of the Church and its Missions

3. What Is New?

Part 2- Contemporary Understanding of and Approaches to Contextualization

Introduction to Part 2

4. Europe: Jurgen Moltmann

5. Anglo-America: Bruce J. Nicholls and Charles H. Kraft

6. Asia: M.M. Thomas and Kosuke Koyama

7. Latin America: Gustavo Guierrez and Jose Miguez-Bonino

8. Africa: John S. Mbiti and Byang H. Kato

9. The Middle East: Kenneth E. Bailey and Tim Matheny

Part 3- Framework for Analysis

Introduction to Part 3

10. A Philosophical Perspective: Genres of Revelational Epistemology

11. A Theological Perspective: The Contextualization Continuum

12. An Anthropological Perspective: Language and Meaning

13. A Hermeneutical Perspective: Basic Assumptions and Patterns

14. A Communication Perspective: The Semantic Problem and the Communication Process

Part 4- Authentic and Relevant Contextualization: Some Proposals

Introduction to Part 4

15. Contextualization That Is Authentic and Relevant

16. A Contextualized Christian Worldview: A Catechism for Tribals

17. A Contextualization of the New Birth Message: an Evangelistic Tract for Chinese People

18. The Doctrine of Justification by Faith Contextualized: Commentaries on Galatians 2 for Sixteenth-Century Europe and Twentieth-Century India

19. A Contextualization for Muslims: A Debate

20. A Contextualized Sermon for Nominal Christian in Central and Northern Europe: The Lordship of Christ

Bibliography

Index of Subjects

Author

Edward Rommen

Edward Rommen
Edward Rommen (DMiss, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School; PhD, Ludwig Maximillian University) planted churches and taught in Europe for fifteen years. He then returned to the United States to teach missions and theology and worked in pastoral ministry as an Orthodox priest. He is currently an adjunct professor at Duke Divinity School in Durham, North Carolina.

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Pages: 294
Publisher: William Carey Publishing
William Carey Publishing
Binding: Paperback
Publish Year: 2000
ISBN: 9780878087754
Vendor: William Carey Library