Contextualization Circle: Developing Relevant & Effective Theologies

by Delanyo Adadevoh

This publication seeks to provide a model paradigm for developing contextual theologies in Africa. The author hopes this paradigm will be applicable in its essential principles to other cultures around the world. The book begins with a survey of different definitions and methods of contextualization.It is the author’s intention to show that contextual theology cannot be developed for a people without taking their worldview and socio-religious experiences into serious consideration. Africans will come to the Scriptures knowingly or unknowingly with presuppositions that are based on their worldview and historical experiences. These presuppositions influence the kinds of questions they will bring to the Scriptures, and the way they derive meaning from the scriptural accounts. An effective contextualization paradigm will therefore seek to understand the history, philosophy and theology of traditional religions in Africa in order to appreciate the presuppositions that Africans will bring to the Scriptures, and the thought-forms to use in making the Christian message relevant to the African.This work proposes a paradigm for developing contextual theologies—Contextualization Circle—with particular reference and application to the Ewe religious worldview. The author has limited himself to developing a “soteriology” (salvation theology) based on the “Ewe concept of time.” The Ewe are found in south-eastern Ghana, southern Togo and Benin. John Mbiti’s position regarding the African’s concept of the distant future has been referred to and reviewed in the light of the Ewe concept of the “distant future.” The author used his understanding of the Ewe concept of the distant future in illustrating the effectiveness of the proposed paradigm for contextualization. This paradigm for contextualization has been developed with a broad reference to the works of other African Christian theologians. His hope is that the result contributes to the general understanding of “contextualization” and how African Christian theologians can and should be involved in developing Christian Theologies in different African contexts. The overall objective is to promote the ownership of Christianity as a relevant and effective faith of the African people. The example from the African perspectives on contextualization will also hopefully prove a useful resource to other regions of the world.This work was first published in 1995. The republication is due to the observation that the conversation is still relevant and needs to continue.

123 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 23, 2021