Monday, January 08, 2007
Bosch and Paradigms
It’s really a blast reading Bosch’s Transforming Mission in one hand and N.T. Wright’s Jesus And the Victory of God in the other. I don’t think I’ve ever thought as much in terms of tying Christology and missiology as I have recently. This is what’s driving the whole "worldview" question in my mind. I think that’s going to be a big one for me. I do not believe I would have ever been that interested, or even seen the value of reading them simultaneously, had I not been captured by the Kingdom and then falling in love with the King and finally engaging the world. All three of those things had to be going on at the same time. I doubt I’d understand, truly understand, this had I not first got my hands dirty in planting other churches and engaging domains of society globally.
The greatest learning I’ve done is not when I’ve discovered a single thing-- but when a few things have been arranged in a specific sort of way unexpectedly--that gave unexpected results and insights. Kinda like DNA. That’s discovery! I like Sweet’s "ancient-future" insight. Bosch is very adamant we are on a new threshold--that was the early 90’s. Man, I wish he were still alive. I’d love to get his take on so many things.
He distinguishes between scientific and missiological paradigms–he gives four things:
First, new theological paradigms don’t necessarily cancel the old ones–example of the revelation of God through Israel and Christ.
Second, no new theological paradigm insists on absolute right but admits it is incomplete and affected by cultural bias.
Third, scientific paradigms cannot be made without people joining them who are insiders–theological paradigms can make sense to outsiders.
Fourth, scientists operate in one paradigm or another, ordinarily life people straddle two theological paradigms at once (maybe more).
In short, scientific paradigms tend to be totalitarian demanding absolute loyalty from their adherents. Theological paradigms, at least Christian ones, can afford to be much softer around the edges.
This is powerful, powerful, powerful!!!! Heavy reflection here is needed. We’ve done the same when we focus on our models of ministry and methods of engagement. I’m convinced there will be no viral movement of the Gospel in the US until we destroy boundaries of methodology.
The greatest learning I’ve done is not when I’ve discovered a single thing-- but when a few things have been arranged in a specific sort of way unexpectedly--that gave unexpected results and insights. Kinda like DNA. That’s discovery! I like Sweet’s "ancient-future" insight. Bosch is very adamant we are on a new threshold--that was the early 90’s. Man, I wish he were still alive. I’d love to get his take on so many things.
He distinguishes between scientific and missiological paradigms–he gives four things:
First, new theological paradigms don’t necessarily cancel the old ones–example of the revelation of God through Israel and Christ.
Second, no new theological paradigm insists on absolute right but admits it is incomplete and affected by cultural bias.
Third, scientific paradigms cannot be made without people joining them who are insiders–theological paradigms can make sense to outsiders.
Fourth, scientists operate in one paradigm or another, ordinarily life people straddle two theological paradigms at once (maybe more).
In short, scientific paradigms tend to be totalitarian demanding absolute loyalty from their adherents. Theological paradigms, at least Christian ones, can afford to be much softer around the edges.
This is powerful, powerful, powerful!!!! Heavy reflection here is needed. We’ve done the same when we focus on our models of ministry and methods of engagement. I’m convinced there will be no viral movement of the Gospel in the US until we destroy boundaries of methodology.
Comments:
<< Home
Bob,
Phenonmenal post... it's great to hear you processing out loud. I'm reading through "The Church Between Gospel and Culture" by Van Gelder alongside "The Shaping of Things to Come" by Frost and Hirsch, and the latter really draws the importance of the Christology-then-Missiology distinction. That kind of stuff will really shake your tree!
Alan,
Gerhard Lohfink also defended the theological status of Israel in the plan of God in "Jesus and Community" but he doesn't seem to have the same missional emphasis, unfortunately.
Phenonmenal post... it's great to hear you processing out loud. I'm reading through "The Church Between Gospel and Culture" by Van Gelder alongside "The Shaping of Things to Come" by Frost and Hirsch, and the latter really draws the importance of the Christology-then-Missiology distinction. That kind of stuff will really shake your tree!
Alan,
Gerhard Lohfink also defended the theological status of Israel in the plan of God in "Jesus and Community" but he doesn't seem to have the same missional emphasis, unfortunately.
There is no way you can do away with Israel in missiology - that's where it all begins. It's where we learn society, domains, sectors, worldview - it's become absolutely essential in my view. The question is, how do we use that as a light without it becoming politicized.
Your insight into the "society, domains, sectors and worldview" is crucial, pivotal even. I'm no prophet, but I believe it is the future of missiology and church planting. For example - Lagos, Nigeria will be the world's largest city by 2050 with 40 million inhabitants. That is the trend of many cities globally, and many of them growing out of the soil of poverty-stricken countries. Upwards of 75% of the world will live in cities, urban areas whose infrastructures even now are not equipped to handle the growth.
How do we as Christians expect to have ANY kind of influence if we cannot create solutions to social, political, infrastructure, and business needs (really opportunities) for the vast amount of the world's population? Without this kind of creative social justice our faith will be weighed and found wanting.
Post a Comment
How do we as Christians expect to have ANY kind of influence if we cannot create solutions to social, political, infrastructure, and business needs (really opportunities) for the vast amount of the world's population? Without this kind of creative social justice our faith will be weighed and found wanting.
<< Home
Rss Feed