A study of Paul as a biblical model of contextualization through a hermeneutical approach

[摘要] English: 1. The aim of this studyThe aim of this thesis is to indicate how Paul preached the gospel of Christ in the contextsof various mission fields through a hermeneutic approach to the Acts and Paul's epistles.To study Paul as a biblical model of contextual mission is invaluable.2. The background of Paul as a model of contextualizationPaul's Hebraic, Hellenistic and Roman backgrounds and the theological background relateto his missions. God orchestrated several factors in Paul's background that enabled him tobecome one of the most significant evangelists in the history of the church. Paul's Jewish-Roman background and cosmopolitan outlook fitted him for a unique ministry as anapostle to the Gentiles. Paul was the ideal person to bridge the cultural and religiouschasm.3. The contextualization of Paul regarding ritualBy its decree, the Council at Jerusalem, setting the standards for Gentile participationin the Christian community, manifestly upheld God's demand for truth and for love ofthe brotherhood. Faith in Christ could not and must not be made dependent on theobservance of certain rituals and traditions. If inherited traditions hindered the liberty ofChrist and the worship of God, they should be abandoned. This was Paul's consistentbelief on contextual evangelization with regard to the ritual issue.4. Contextualization of Paul's messageAs an apostle to the Gentiles, Paul struggled to find a relevant way to translate thesupracultural gospel of Jesus Christ in the multiple cultural contexts. He proclaimed thatChrist was good news for all people. The strategies employed by the evangelist wereborrowed from the secular gentile realm because he preached to secularists.Paul dealt with the internal issues aiming to establish the church as a community ofdynamic life. In the pluralistic religiosity of their cultures, Paul diagnosed the situation intheological terms, and reviewed the church's issues in light of the gospel.6. Final statementAbove all, on the basis of the revelation of Christ, he had given the Gospel, for boththe Jew and Greek its fundamental character. He had built the Church of Christ Jesustotally on the basis of this Gospel. With regard to the Gentile mission, all hismissionary acts were clearly based on the word of God. The unchanging centre ofPaul's work was total preoccupation with Jesus Christ. Paul adapted to the style andneeds of his day as evangelists must in every historical period and cultural context. Heis a model of contextual mission to modem evangelists regarding cross-culturalcommunication in a pluralistic.

[发布机构] University of the Free State