ALLIANCE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
IC 603 Doing Theology in Context
Spring 2009
Thursday Mornings 9am – Noon Room:TBA
Instructors: Stephen Bailey, Ed Stuart, Matt Cook
Tel# 845-770-5755 (Bailey)
E-mail: Stephen.Bailey@Nyack.edu
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This course is designed to help students understand and begin to use methods for doing theology in
context. It wrestles with the tension between the authority of the gospel as revealed in scripture and the
necessity of understanding the gospel in historical-cultural contexts. The focus of this class is on method.
It is concerned with methods of theologizing in context in order to communicate the gospel and disciple
new believers. Alongside this academic purpose is a complementary goal of assisting students in their
personal development spiritually, emotionally, and professionally through mentoring groups.
LEARNING GOALS
1. To expose students to some of the major methodologies used for doing theology in context.
2. To assist students in beginning to use the methodological tools of doing theology in context.
3. To help students grow personally in understanding themselves and in their relationship with God.
4. Information Literacy Goal: To enable the student to evaluate information and its sources critically
and incorporate selected information into his or her knowledge base and value system.
REQUIRED TEXT
William A. Dyrness. Invitation to Cross-Cultural Theology. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing
House. 1992. Pp.196. ISBN: 0-3105-3581-6.
Herbert E. Hoefer. Churchless Christianity. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library. 2001. Pp. 264. ISBN:
087808444-4. OPTIONAL
John Middleton. The Lugbara of Uganda. (2nd Edition)Thomson South-Western Publisher. 2003.
ISBN: 10: 0534968953.
All articles listed in the class schedule (on reserve in the library or on the I Drive).
REQUIREMENTS/GRADING
1.
The instructor expects that students in this course will be in attendance at all class sessions
and will participate in the discussions scheduled for consideration in each class. There are
normally no excused absences. 30% of the grade.
2.
Students will complete 10 of the 11 reflection papers (3-4 pages) for each week’s reading
that is listed in the class schedule. Late papers will be marked down 10 points. Papers must be
handed in class and students must be present for the class period to avoid being late.
a. Summarize the content of the reading by highlighting key arguments / ideas. (2 pages)
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b. Critique the contextual method used in the reading in light of other readings in class and
your general knowledge of valid contextualization.
c. Finally, the student should raise questions that they would like help answering and be
ready to raise these questions in class. 30% of the grade.
3.
Each student will lead a discussion on the reading for the day. A very brief summary of the
reading should be accomplished and key questions should be prepared for discussion in the
seminar. 10% of the grade.
4.
Students will write a contextual theology for the Lugbara of Uganda based on the text
book assigned on this people group. It should be between 12-15 pages not including the
bibliography. Drawing on the readings, class sessions and ethnography on the Lugbara
discuss how you would expect the gospel to affirm, challenge and be illuminated by the
Lugbara worldview. Do not spend a lot of time summarizing the ethnographic data from the
book. This is to be a theological essay that addresses the various levels of contextualization.
You should give about half the paper to outlining what you think would likely be the themes
and emphasizes in Lugbara theology of the gospel. The rest of the paper can be split up
between your best estimate as to what the contextual form of communication of the gospel
would look like and what the church might look like in terms of theology, worship/rituals, and
leadership. 30% of the grade.
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
The paper will be formatted using the University of Chicago Style. Use the library’s
latest copy of A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations by
Kate L. Turabian to guide you in formatting the paper. Formatting, spelling and
grammar will count for 20% of the grade on this paper.
The paper should be 12 to 15 pages in length not including the bibliography.
Use footnotes.
The paper should have a thesis or purpose statement that clearly states what you
intend to accomplish in the paper. You may have sub-points or objectives that
describe the steps to accomplishing your thesis / purpose.
Write clearly and logically.
Prepare an outline of the paper and get feedback on it from the professor before you
write. Use the outline to create the headings and sub-headings.
EVALUATION
Class Attendance and Participation
Research Paper
Lead Class Discussion
30%
30%
10%
10 Reflection Papers
30%
GRADING SCALE
Grades are assigned based on your competency in performing the assignments in this syllabus.
A (4.0) 93-100
A- (3.7) 90-92
B+ (3.3) 88-89
B (3.0) 83-87
B- (2.7) 80-82
C+ (2.3) 78-79
C (2.0) 73-77
C- (1.7) 70-72
D+ (1.3) 68-69
D (1.0) 63-67
D- (0.7) 60-62
F (0.0) Below 60
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LATE WORK
All written work is due by the beginning of class on the date assigned. Work will be accepted up to one
week late, but grades are lowered 10 points once an assignment is late. Extensions will not be given
except in the case of serious illness or emergency.
COURSE CALENDAR
Introduction
Session 1 / January 22 [Professor Bailey in Thailand]
1) Reading Due: None
2) Class Syllabus
3) Assignments for Student led class discussions in weeks to come
4) Subject: Issues in Doing Theology in Context - Professor Stuart
a. Larry Mud – Pauley the Wise Guy
Part I: Contextualizing Theology
Session 2 / January 29 [Professor Bailey in Thailand]
5) Reading Due:
a. Charles Kraft. “Meaning Equivalence Contextualization” in Appropriate Christianity.
William Carey Library. 2005. Pp. 155 – 168.
b. Paul Hiebert. “Critical Contextualization.” in Anthropological Reflections on
Missiological Issues. Pp.75-103.
c. Paul Hiebert. “The Gospel in Our Culture: Methods of Social and Cultural Analysis.”
in The Church Between Gospel and Culture: The Emerging Mission in North
America. Pp. 139-157.
6) Reflection Paper #1 Due
7) Subject: Charles Kraft - Dynamic Equivalent Meaning and Critical Contextualization –
Professor Bashioum (With Reference to Contextualization in Jordan)
Session 3 / February 5
8) Reading Due:
a. Paul Hiebert. “Metatheology:The Step beyond Contextualization.” in
Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues. Pp.93-103.
b. Kevin J. Vanhoozer. “One Rule to Rule Them All?” in Globalizing Theology: Belief
and Practice in an Era of World Christianity. Pp. 85-126.
9) Reflection Paper #2 Due
10) Subject: A Global Theology to Unify Diverse Contextual Theologies –
Session 4 / Feb. 12
11) Reading Due – William A. Dyrness. Invitation to Cross-Cultural Theology. Read Chapters 1,
5 and 7.
12) Reflection Paper #3 Due
13) Subject: - Vernacular Theology
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Part II: Contextualization Through Praxis
Session 5 / February 19
14) Reading Due
a. James H. Cone. God of the Oppressed. Chapter 9. “Liberation and the Christian
Ethic.” Pp. 179-206
b. Gustavo Gutierrez A Theology of Liberation Pp.29-57 (chapters 3-6).
15) Reflection Paper # 4
16) Subject: Liberation Theology / Contextualization as Praxis –
Session 6 / February 26
17) Reading Due: Sanneh Whose Religion is Christianity? Chapter 1, Pp.13-56 and Chapter 2,
Pp. 95-130.
18) Reflection Paper # 5
19) Subject: Global Social Interaction and Identity –
Part III: Contextualization of Conversion
Session 7 / March 5
20) Reading Due:
a. John Travis. “Messianic Muslim Followers of Isa: A Closer Look at C5 Believers
and Congregations.” International Journal of Frontier Missions. Vol. 17, no. 1,
Spring 2000. Pp. 53- 59.
b. Timoth Tennett “The Challenge of Churchless Christianity: An Evangelical
Assessment.” in International Bulletin of Missionary Research. October 2005. Vol.
29. No.4. Pp.171-177.
c. Herbert Hoefer. “Proclaiming a Theologyless Christ” in International Journal of
Frontier Missions. Vol. 22. No. 3. Fall 2005. Pp.97-100.
d. Charles Kraft. “Response to Herbert Hoefer’s Proclaiming a ‘Theologyless Christ.’”
in International Journal of Frontier Missions. Vol. 22. No. 3. Fall 2005. Pp.101.
21) Reflection Paper # 6
22) Subject: Insider Movements and C5 Contextualization –
Session 8 / March 12 or 13
FIELD TRIP TO OMSC
23) Reading: Herbert Hoefer. Churchless Christianity. Section 4. Pp. 208-264.
24) Subject: Insider Movements: Following Jesus in Hindu Settings
25) Class will be held in New Haven, CT at the Overseas Ministries Study Center
a. Van will leave ATS at 7AM and will return by 5:30pm.
EASTER / SPRING BREAK No Class On March 19
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Part IV: Contextualization of Story
Session 9 / March 26
26) Reading Due:
a. Jack Colgate. “Relational Bible Storying and Scripture Use in Oral Muslim
Contexts.” International Journal for Frontier Missions. July – September, 2008. Pp.
135 – 142.
b. Go to this link http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/10-2006 and read the following
articles.
i. “The Role of Partnership in Oral Evangelism: A Case Study in India” By S.
D. Ponraj
ii. “Tools for Reaching Oral Learners” By Durk Meijer
iii. “Story and Song in Kpele-Dafo: An Innovative Church Planting Model
Among an Oral Culture of Togo” By Jim and Carla Bowman
27) Reflection Paper # 7
28) Subject: Story and Oral Culture Communication
a. Nyab Siab Zoo “The Good-Hearted Daughter” [in Hmong]
b. New Tribes Missions: Oral Evangelism
Session 10 / April 2
29) Reading Due:
a. Ubolwan Mejudhon. “Life-Exegesis” SEANET Presentation, Chiang Mai,
Thailand. 2005. Pp. 1-25.
b. Stephen Bailey. “Reading the Bible With Lao Worldview Themes” Pp. 293 – 318.
30) Reflection Paper # 8
31) Subject: Narrative Contextualization and the Text of the Bible
Part V: Contextualization of Ritual / Worship
Session 11 / April 9
32) Reading Due:
a. Klaus Nurnberger. “Ancestor Veneration in the Church of Christ” in Journal for
Theology of South Africa. 129 (November 2007). Pp. 54-69. (See ATS Library
Electronic Journals / ATLA Religion Database with ATLA Serials.
b. James Huntley Grayson. “The Kwallye Samga of Korea: A Failed Attempt at
Christian Accommodation to Confucian Culture.” in Asian Folklore Studies. Vol. 66,
2007, pp. 125-140.
33) Reflection Paper # 9
34) Subject: Contextualization of the Gospel and Local Customs: Ancestor Worship
a. Case Study: Taiwan and Samuel Harris
Session 12 / April 16
35) Reading Due:
a. Ubolwan Mejudhon. “The Ritual of Reconciliation in Thai Culture”
b. A. H. Zahniser. “Ritual Process and Christian Discipling: Contextualizing a Buddhist
Rite of Passage” Missiology : An International Review. Vol. 19, no. 1. January 1991.
Pp. 3-19.
36) Reflection Paper # 10
37) Subject: Contextualization of Music and Ritual – video “The Dancing Church”
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Session 13 / April 23
38) Assignment: Finish Writing Your Draft of the Contextual Theology Paper for the
Lugbara of Uganda !!! Bring a draft to class – no exceptions!
39) Class Discussion on a Contextual Theology for the Lugbara
Session 14 / April 30
40) Reading Due:
a. Charles Kraft. “Church Planters and Ethnolinguistics” Culture, Communication and
Christianity: A Selection of Writings by Charles H. Kraft. Pasadena, CA: William
Carey Press. 2001.Pp. 137 – 152.
b. Charles Kraft. “Towards An Ethnography Of Hausa Riddling” Culture,
Communication and Christianity: A Selection of Writings by Charles H. Kraft.
Pasadena, CA: William Carey Press. 2001. Pp. 153 – 161.
c. Harriet Hill. “The Effects of Using Local and Non-local Terms in Mother-Tongue
Scirpture.” Missiology: An International Review. Vol. XXXV, no. 4, October 2007.
Pp.383 – 396.
41) Reflection Paper # 11
42) Subject: Contextualization in Translation and Christian Literature 43) Class Evaluation
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