Contextualization, conceptualization, and communication: The development of contextualization at Fuller's Graduate School of World Mission/Intercultural Studies. (January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shaw, R. Daniel; DeLoach, Danny; Grimes, Jonathan; Herrmann, Simon; Bailey, Stephen
• Is Part Of: Missiology. Volume 44:Number 1(2016:Jan.)
• Page Start: 95
• Page End: 111
• Publication Date: 2016-01
• Subjects: contextualization -- critical contextualization -- mission -- relevance -- incarnation -- cognition; Missions -- Periodicals; 266.005
• DOI: 10.1177/0091829615620932
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-8296

Abstract

Beginning with Tippett's emphasis on the "phenomenology of Folk Religion" in the mid-1960s, contextualization, though not so-called at the time, was central to appreciating the need to ground the gospel message in the local context. Kraft applied Nida's development of "dynamic equivalence" translation principles to cultural contexts. Many faculty members contributed to the short-lived journal Contextualization which extended the concepts of indigenization and inculturation into a missiologically viable framework. Each member of the SWM faculty contributed to Gilliland's volume from their respective subdiscipline. Hiebert advocated a critique of cultural practice in light of scriptural insight. The impact of the cognitive revolution eventually had an effect on dealing with strengths as well as abuses of the concept beyond its original intent. This article, then, will consider the historical, conceptual, theoretical, and missiological development of contextualization as an idea that epitomizes the 50-year existence of the SWM/SIS, as well as anticipates the next 50 years.