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”)