1. FORM & MEANING Making the Gospel Language Meaningful

2. Cultural Forms & Meanings Meanings always expressed through cultural forms Cultural forms are on surface, but meanings are beneath surface No sacred forms, but many sacred meanings Easily entangle evangelized in forms that have no equivalent meaning in host culture If you want to get the meaning right, you must employ the proper contextual form Adapted from Darrel Whiteman Lectures Asbury Theological Seminary, 2001

3. Language as unique cultural form Language forms designate a distinct reality Sapir-Wharf Hypothesis Worlds of different societies are distinct worlds, not just same with different labels One's view of reality is influenced, if not determined, by the language a person speaks Different languages direct us to different aspects of phenomena Cultural Forms & Meanings Adapted from Darrel Whiteman Lectures Asbury Theological Seminary, 2001

4. Examples of language as cultural form that shapes perceived reality Relativity of Color Terms How many colors in the rainbow? Language forms impacting cultural perspectives Continuum vs. Opposition language Cultural Forms & Meanings Adapted from Darrel Whiteman Lectures Asbury Theological Seminary, 2001

5. Conclusions: language as cultural form Language is a straight jacket that fits comfortably Primary vehicle of culture Language as cultural form is a loop Contrary Hypothesis… Language is predominate means for interpreting reality rather than shaping reality What is shaped is our understanding of reality, not actual reality Cultural Forms & Meanings Adapted from Darrel Whiteman Lectures Asbury Theological Seminary, 2001

6. THE AGENDA – DEFINING TERMS Gospel Both the whole Word of God (OT/NT) and the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ Contextualization Making the message (gospel) meaningful to people who are foreign in the ethno-cultural sense or who subscribe to a non-biblical worldview De-contextualization Freeing the message (gospel) from elements of sending culture, so intended meaning comes through with minimum of interference Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

7. Verbal-Plenary Inspiration Human authors were inspired by Holy Spirit in such a way that every word they wrote (all of OT/NT) expressed the precise thought that God intended to communicate THE AGENDA – DEFINING TERMS Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

8. In an age of relative epistemology, the trustworthiness of the “gospel” message (the revealed message in linguistic symbols) is vital. If the language of the text is up for debate according to subjective interpretations (of time / culture / worldview), then we have no authoritative basis for propositional truths. - Hesselgrave THE AGENDA – DEFINING TERMS Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

9. 1970’s contextualization boom Explosion of “contextual theologies” Evangelicals and contextualization Lausanne Consultation on Gospel and Culture Down to Earth: Studies in Christianity and Culture (Stott & Coote) Christianity in Culture: A Study in Dynamic Biblical Theologizing in Cross-Cultural Perspective (Kraft) History of Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

10. National Association of Evangelicals – 1942 Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) – 1949 Lausanne Covenant – 1974 International Council on Biblical Inerrancy – 1977 Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics International Church Council Project (ICC) – 2003 History of Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

11. 1. Mythological writings Narratives and information that binds peoples together in common loyalties and destinies 2. Enlightenment writings Knowledge of the divine mediated through personal enlightenment experiences 3. Divine writings Directly from the divine apart from human involvement – merely mechanical stenographers of divine orations 4. Divinely inspired writings God-breathed writings (OT/NT) in which God reveals propositional truths mediated through human agency by inspiration of Holy Spirit Types of Revelation Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

12. Contextualizing the Bible as mythological writing Perspective of “deconstructionists” Consequence: Left with the faith of various linguistic and religious communities…Each of which relies on its own language to describe God (functional reality). Contextualizing the Bible as enlightened writing Real meaning is to be found in the way words and forms function in and among those who read them Meaning only emerges as person enters into the texts (making it meaning-full) Danger of Wrong Models for Biblical Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

13. Impact of this approach for contextualization Formal Correspondence vs. Dynamic Equivalence Dynamic Equivalence Premises Focus is not on form, but meaning intended Origins of this strategy, not in Scripture, theology, but in natural sciences Revelation is subjective and changing Bible is potentially the Word of God, not error-free except in its intended teachings Ethno-linguistic interpretation rather than grammatico-historical Scriptural words are subordinate to insights of contemporary interpreters who define the impact of their supposed meaning Danger of Wrong Models for Biblical Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

14. THE DEBATABLE ISSUE: Functional Equivalence (F.E.) Meaning-full Translations "The world's most influential Bible translator, Eugene Nida, is weary of 'word worship.'" By David Neff http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/october7/2.46.html We Really Do Need Another Bible Translation As good as many modern versions are, they often do not allow us to hear what the Holy Spirit actually said By Raymond C. Van Leeuwen http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/october22/5.28.html

15. Dynamic Equivalence (Functional Equivalence) now dominant theory Examples: C.E.V. (1995) TEV or Good News Version TNIV (Today’s New International Version) Anthropologically enlightened, but theologically dangerous approach Danger of Wrong Models for Biblical Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

16. Contextualizing the Bible as divine writing Bible sometimes mistakenly contextualized in rigid/static manner Dictation theories impose one cultural time-frame on the form, and disallow any modification by time or space Danger of Wrong Models for Biblical Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

17. Contextualizing Bible as Inspired Writings Affirms reality of consistent (universal) propositional truth revealed in Scripture Opposes postmodern “formalist criticisms” Danger of Wrong Models for Biblical Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave

18. Meeting of minds for “critical contextualization Discussion is needed regarding non-negotiable universals Must begin with commitment to authoritative Word of God Tools afforded by relevant sciences then engaged as helpful/necessary additions that enable us to understand Scripture and communicate it meaningfully across cultures Effective Evangelical Contextualization Adapted from Paradigms in Conflict David Hesselgrave