The Contextualization of Theology

For many, the term “theology” has about it an aura of’ irrelevance. It conjures up in the mind the seemingly endless history of bickering between those in favor of one set of interpretations of the Bible and Christian experience with those who hold another set of interpretations.

Billy Graham opened and closed the International Congress on World Evangelization, and in between he preached at a Sunday afternoon public evangelistic rally at Lausanne’s Olympic Stadium.

Current attitudes to evangelism cluster around two poles: presence” and “proclamation.” “Christian presence” is a term in vogue in ecumenical circles. To date, however, there seems to be little formal exposition of its meaning. What is available must for the most part be gleaned from various periodicals.¹