Frontline Missions International Statement on Contextualization Contextualization is the process through which the Word of God and the doctrines which it contains are articulated in understandable terms appropriate to the audience. The Apostle Paul carefully adjusted his approach to Jews (Acts 13), animists (Acts 14), and pagan philosophers (Acts 17), without ever altering the content of the Gospel that he preached. The reality that peoples from every tribe, language, tongue, and nation will one day worship the Lamb (Revelation 7:9-10 1 ) necessitates that an unchanging, cross-centered Gospel must be communicated so as to be intelligible by each distinct people group, while never compromising the integrity of the Message. Contextualization of the Gospel message across cultures is both biblical and necessary. A messenger of the Good News has the privilege and responsibility of taking the hope of the Gospel and the whole of that Gospel to the nations. To that end, Frontline Missions International sets forth these affirmations so that its workers may engage in fruitful practices, which yield faithful disciple-makers, so that the Church is built and Christ is glorified. The Word and the Gospel We believe that the 66 books of the Bible are inspired (2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 ), inerrant (Titus 1:2 3 ), sufficient (2 Peter 1:3-4 4 ), understandable (John 16:13 5 ) and applicable (2 Timothy 3:16-17 2 ) for all cultures, in all ages, and within all contexts. Therefore, no alteration of the Scripture should be made to accommodate a particular context or culture. Moreover, no further revelations are needed as a seal or abrogation of the inspired Word of God (Matthew 24:35 6 ; Revelation 22:18-19 7 ). We believe that the Gospel is the perfect, substitutionary work of Jesus Christ on behalf of sinners (1 Corinthians 15:1-4 8 ), accessed by faith apart from works (Titus 3:4-8 9 ), bringing them into a restored relationship with their Creator (Hebrews 10:12-14 10 ), and leading to a life of obedience and devotion (Philippians 2:12-13 11 ). The Individual and the Church Individual Conversion: We believe that true conversion occurs when God opens the eyes of an individual to his/her condition (2 Corinthians 4:6 12 ; Acts 16:14 13 ) and that person responds with faith and repentance (Mark 1:15 14 ; Acts 20:20-21 15 ) to the message of the Gospel.
Public Identification: We believe that through faith and repentance, new life is given (Romans 6:4 16 ) resulting in a new identity (2 Corinthians 5:17 17 ). This identity must be publicly demonstrated through a visible symbol of identification as a co-heir with Christ (Romans 6:3-5 18 ), namely through water baptism (Matthew 28:19 19 ; see also 20 ). Corporate Identification: We believe that a new believer s identity with Christ necessarily places him within a universal and local community of believers, the church (Ephesians 2:19-22 21 ). Culture and Form Image and Value: We believe that each nation and its associated culture is composed of divinely created image-bearers (Genesis 1:26-28 22 ; Romans 8:29 23 ). Though marred, each individual within each distinct nation retains his inherent worth as a creation of God, and a number from each of these nations will one day be fully redeemed (Revelation 7:9-10 24 ). Culture and Mission: Because each distinct nation and its associated culture retains inherent value, mission efforts should not aim for cultural assimilation (Acts 10:44-45 25 ; 1 Corinthians 7:17-24 26 ). We believe that a missionary should simultaneously respect the indigenous culture while confronting errant belief through the introduction (Acts 17:23 27 ), preaching (Acts 10:42 28 ), and explanation (Acts 28:23 29 ) of God s revealed Word, leading to a practical obedience of all that Christ commanded (Matthew 28:20 30 ). Form and Meaning: We believe that because norms and forms carry meaning, they must be evaluated against Scripture to determine whether they may be maintained or must be rejected (Acts 15:28-29 31 ). We believe that the call for a Christian to be distinct (2 Corinthians 6:14-18 32 ), to shine as a light (Matthew 5:14, 16 33 ), and to endure suffering and persecution (Matthew 5:10-12 34 ; Romans 8:16-17 35 ) obliges him to carefully determine whether a particular form either cultural or religious should be retained post-conversion. Creative and Consistent: We believe that Scripture models and encourages a creative approach to Gospel advance among distinct cultures, based on a maturing understanding of the context (Peter s approach to the Jews in Jerusalem, Acts 2; Paul s approach to the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia, Acts 13; Paul s approach to polytheistic animists in Lystra, Acts 14; Paul s message to educated philosophers, Acts 17), while simultaneously rejecting any modification to the essential Gospel message (Galatians 1:6-9 36 ).
Endnotes 1 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7:9-10) 2 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) 3 In hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began. (Titus 1:2) 4 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises. (2 Peter 1:3-4) 5 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. (John 16:13) 6 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. (Matthew 24:35) 7 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19) 8 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) 9 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Titus 3:4-8)
10 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified. (Hebrews 10:12-14) 11 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. (Philippians 2:12-13) 12 For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 4:6) 13 One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14) 14 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. (Mark 1:15) 15 Teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:20-21) 16 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4) 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 18 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. (Romans 6:3-5) 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19) 20 Acts 2:41; 8:12, 13, 36, 38; 9:18; 10:47, 48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:5; 22:16; Galatians 3:27 21 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:19-22)
22 Then God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them. (Genesis 1:26-28) 23 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:29) 24 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb! (Revelation 7:9-10) 25 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. (Acts 10:44-45) 26 Only let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. This is my rule in all the churches. Was anyone at the time of his call already circumcised? Let him not seek to remove the marks of circumcision. Was anyone at the time of his call uncircumcised? Let him not seek circumcision. For neither circumcision counts for anything nor uncircumcision, but keeping the commandments of God. Each one should remain in the condition in which he was called. Were you a bondservant when called? Do not be concerned about it. (But if you can gain your freedom, avail yourself of the opportunity.) For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ. You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants of men. So, brothers, in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God. (1 Corinthians 7:17-24) 27 What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. (Acts 17:23) 28 And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10:42) 29 From morning till evening he expounded to them, testifying to the kingdom of God and trying to convince them about Jesus both from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. (Acts 28:23) 30 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (Matthew 28:20) 31 For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what
has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell. (Acts 15:28-29) 32 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty. (2 Corinthians 6:14-18) 33 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14,16) 34 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12) 35 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. (Romans 8:16-17) 36 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9)