Stephen B. Bevans Models Of Contextual Theology

In Models of Contextual Theology, Catholic theologian Stephen B. Bevans seeks to underscore that contextual theology is a theological imperative. What he means by this that all theological exercise is contextual. Though in the surface is seems a simple statement, Bevans unfolds this statement and take us into the deep complexities and dynamics between the gospel and culture. The first part of the book, chapter 1 through 3, deals with themes such as the imperativeness of contextual theology; the issues of contextual theology and also gives the reader framework of the methodology used throughout the book. The second part of the book, chapters 4 through 9, is dedicated to the analysis of the six models of contextualizing theology presented in
Moreover, according to Bevans, the translation model recognizes the ambivalence and the need of redemption of culture. And finally, this model works well with people that have certain knowledge of a culture, being participant or non-participant. However, the flip side of these positive elements is that they can produce some pitfalls. First, the translation model has a low view of culture, hence this models has a unified view of all cultures. Second, this model high sense of Scripture and Tradition can give the false expectancy of such thing as a ‘cultureless gospel’. Finally, the gospel, rather that a revelation of God, may seem as pre-fixed set of
Though rooted in a particular context, the uniqueness of this model is that it affected by social change. What is unique of this model is that is ‘on the move’. There is a continual dance between action and reflection; hence, this model is open to change. Due to this cyclical movement of action and reflection, the praxis model is aware of the present realities of the people and their future expectations. This model is the heart and soul of what came to be known as Liberation theology. A movement that is in continual dialogue, reflection and