Wonderful Example of Contextualized Interpretation


Interpretation and Application of Scripture is affected by culture. In theory, the farther we are from Bible Culture, the more difficult it is to interpret (and apply). But that is not necessarily always so. Many cultures have characteristics that relate very nicely to a passage of Scripture.

Consider this passage:  

Remember you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision”– remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who were once far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ…you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household. (Ephesians 2:11-13, 19)

How could the Dao people of Indonesia relate to this passage of Scripture? Read the article below. You should note that the Missionary did not contextualize the interpretation. Rather it came from inside the culture. Rather, the missionary helped them understand the basics of the passage and allowed them to bring it into their culture. Then the missionary (presumably) affirmed their understanding.

Article:    It seems as if the link I originally had takes one to an article that no longer exists. However, I found another article that relates to the Dao people and discusses their interpretation of the Bible in terms of wild pigs.  It will do:  http://daoministries.org/jesus-the-good-pig-herder/

2 thoughts on “Wonderful Example of Contextualized Interpretation

  1. Pingback: “Counter-Cultural Contextualization” Quote « MMM — Munson Mission Musings

  2. Pingback: Chin Tribe: A Case Study of Contextualization « MMM — Munson Mission Musings

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