Comments on: Non-Contextualization=Blond hair, blue eyed Jesus’ in Mexico http://rhettsmith.com/2008/04/non-contextualizationblond-hair-blue-eyed-jesus-in-mexico/ Thu, 10 May 2012 14:59:38 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Rhett Smith http://rhettsmith.com/2008/04/non-contextualizationblond-hair-blue-eyed-jesus-in-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-1943 Rhett Smith Fri, 04 Apr 2008 23:20:55 +0000 http://www.rhettsmith.com/?p=861#comment-1943 I agree that there might be some talking past each other. We Christians are good at that. I do wonder about MacArthur's statements: I get the feeling that he believes the disciples did not contextualize the message at all to the culture. It was pure gospel, with absence of cultural trappings. Which would be really surprising to me when you look at the synoptics in particular, and the various audiences each one seems to address. Context was important. When it comes to Phil Johnson, I think he is suspicious of any church that doesn't look like Grace Community Church, or that practices polity and aesthetics differently. He can't get past the couches, candles and coffee. thanks for posting..I appreciate your comments. Always thought provoking. You need a blog :-) Maybe you have one? I agree that there might be some talking past each other. We Christians are good at that.

I do wonder about MacArthur’s statements: I get the feeling that he believes the disciples did not contextualize the message at all to the culture. It was pure gospel, with absence of cultural trappings. Which would be really surprising to me when you look at the synoptics in particular, and the various audiences each one seems to address. Context was important.

When it comes to Phil Johnson, I think he is suspicious of any church that doesn’t look like Grace Community Church, or that practices polity and aesthetics differently. He can’t get past the couches, candles and coffee.

thanks for posting..I appreciate your comments. Always thought provoking.

You need a blog :-) Maybe you have one?

]]> By: Euphranor http://rhettsmith.com/2008/04/non-contextualizationblond-hair-blue-eyed-jesus-in-mexico/comment-page-1/#comment-1944 Euphranor Fri, 04 Apr 2008 21:01:40 +0000 http://www.rhettsmith.com/?p=861#comment-1944 Good post. I think these guys are talking past each other, or rather, are equivocating "gospel contextualization" with "aesthetic contextualization". The former would insist that the gospel message not be fundamentally changed to fit a cultural context. The latter allows for things like buildings (or housechurches) to look differently, worship styles, etc. But the latter ensures the Gospel essentials dont change (see ecumentical creeds). So it isnt about affirming or not affirming contextualization but rather decising what level you will except. Good post. I think these guys are talking past each other, or rather, are equivocating “gospel contextualization” with “aesthetic contextualization”. The former would insist that the gospel message not be fundamentally changed to fit a cultural context. The latter allows for things like buildings (or housechurches) to look differently, worship styles, etc. But the latter ensures the Gospel essentials dont change (see ecumentical creeds). So it isnt about affirming or not affirming contextualization but rather decising what level you will except.

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