Contextualization and Syncretism

Spreading the Gospel to All in All Places God calls his people to communicate the gospel for all nations. And so, the matter of contextualization is always relevant for every generation and culture. Many people know the difficulty of contextualizing the Christian message in ways that are faithful to Scripture and meaningful to the local context. Discerning culture’s influence on Christianity is easier done in retrospect than in prospect. When navigating cultural currents, we must consider the question, “What distinguishes contextualization from syncretism?” Culture inevitably shapes our theology. But how do we avoid accommodating the biblical message such that it loses its divine essence? The contributors in this volume wrestle with these and other critical concerns. The essays address diverse historical and cultural settings. Readers will find themselves both challenged, stimulated, and encouraged as they reflect on the ideas presented in this book.