INTRODUCTION
Contextualization of the gospel has been always become one of the challenges for Christianity now and then. From time to time, we have seen the influence of culture in our church. Syncretism is one of the major problems that occur because of the influence of different cultures to Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church. However, the ambiguity and confusion among church leader in dealing with this problem may create confusion, pluralism and apostasy among church members. Although the Bible did not mention the particular culture to be followed, we do believe that the Bible has been influencing every single culture on this earth.
However, in my ministry I have seen that it is easier for the church to be influenced by the culture rather than the culture itself to be influenced by the church.
Therefore in my research, I assume that critical contextualization should take place in the church and the community around the church. Though, it is not as easy as turning the palm of our hands, yet we should do that because it is very effective in eliminating the problem that might come into the church life and supporting church’s mission.
Statement of the Problem
The above issue spiked the interest for this research paper. The problem that the researcher wants to address is the discrepancy between the teaching of the Bible and the church practices because of the influence of syncretism. Although many SDA pastors in South Sumatera Mission have been experimenting with varied approaches to Javanese evangelism, it seems their effort did not succeed to eliminate syncretism in among SDA church members.
Purpose of the Research
Purpose of this research is to find out the innermost fears, hopes, beliefs, goals, values, and so forth of the shy and secretive Javanese people by observing and analyzing their rituals and forms of entertainment in its relation with the practice of the church in dealing with Javanese peoples that tend to accommodate their culture even after... [continues]
Contextualization of the gospel has been always become one of the challenges for Christianity now and then. From time to time, we have seen the influence of culture in our church. Syncretism is one of the major problems that occur because of the influence of different cultures to Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) church. However, the ambiguity and confusion among church leader in dealing with this problem may create confusion, pluralism and apostasy among church members. Although the Bible did not mention the particular culture to be followed, we do believe that the Bible has been influencing every single culture on this earth.
However, in my ministry I have seen that it is easier for the church to be influenced by the culture rather than the culture itself to be influenced by the church.
Therefore in my research, I assume that critical contextualization should take place in the church and the community around the church. Though, it is not as easy as turning the palm of our hands, yet we should do that because it is very effective in eliminating the problem that might come into the church life and supporting church’s mission.
Statement of the Problem
The above issue spiked the interest for this research paper. The problem that the researcher wants to address is the discrepancy between the teaching of the Bible and the church practices because of the influence of syncretism. Although many SDA pastors in South Sumatera Mission have been experimenting with varied approaches to Javanese evangelism, it seems their effort did not succeed to eliminate syncretism in among SDA church members.
Purpose of the Research
Purpose of this research is to find out the innermost fears, hopes, beliefs, goals, values, and so forth of the shy and secretive Javanese people by observing and analyzing their rituals and forms of entertainment in its relation with the practice of the church in dealing with Javanese peoples that tend to accommodate their culture even after... [continues]
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"Contextualization Among Javanese." StudyMode.com. 05, 2011. Accessed 05, 2011. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Contextualization-Among-Javanese-705228.html.
