EMQ » Jan – March 2025 » Volume 61 Issue 1
Contextual Theology
Summary: Contextualizing theology is challenging, and discernment is needed to know the difference between biblical truths and cultural beliefs. Local and outsider perspectives can benefit these discussions. A three-step framework used by the Thai Christian Thinkers group offers helpful guidance on how to do this well.
By Steve Taylor
I am more of a practitioner than an academic. Maybe it’s because of my engineering background that I like to make things simple and see things work. For decades there has been a persistent challenge from evangelical quarters regarding the need to do contextual theology.
As a cross-cultural missionary working alongside the Thai, I also recognise this need.[i] But I have not seen much implemented on the ground. At the same time, I’ve had the opportunity to teach “Contextual and Asian Theologies” for the AGST Alliance (a consortium of seminaries in southeast Asia of which Bangkok Bible Seminary is a part). As I taught the various models for doing contextual theology,[ii] they all appeared complex and difficult to implement.
A small group of Thai leaders and I are a part of a group called “Thai Christian Thinkers.” In response to these complex models for contextual theology, we developed a simple but effective approach we have started to use here in Thailand.
