Contextualizing biblical message to Own Context

 

Contextualizing biblical message to Own Context
 

 

 

            A brief definition of contextualization is; to be faithful to the text and relevant to the context. Without relevance the Bible loses its value. The goal of contextualization is to show the relevance of the biblical message to a given context.  C.V. Matthew defines contextualization as “the attempt to reformulate biblical theology in Indian categories of thought in a manner relevant to the Indian context. Contextualization, thus, is the expression of relevance of the gospel message in given situation.

 

Religious context

             The area and surrounding villages where I belong is dominated by tribal community. The people in these villages are all Christian. They were very much involved in all the Christian activities. People have the basic knowledge of the Bible and have the same faith. Every village have their own churches  where they could gather and worship God. The pastors and Deacons played an important role in maintaining the religious activities and the spiritual growth of the members.

 

Socio-political, economical context

              60% of the people were cultivators, 30% government servants and businessmen and the rest earn their livelihood by daily wages. The village chief is the head of the village. People elected the chief and authorities to look after the political and social life of the people. Apart from Churches, the village chief and authorities took initiative in solving any anti social activities. They tried to maintain equality, peace and prosperity in the village.

 

 Demand of the context

               Though the people were all Christian, there are people who become a backslider. They get away from the Lord and become interested in the things of this world. They fail to manifest the fruit of the spirit – like joy, love, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. To such people I would like to present a biblical message, how the Lord Jesus presented himself as the True vine and exactly what He does to the unfruitful branch.

 

Biblical discourse and apply it to the context

                Since the majority of the people were cultivators, they also know much about trees or plants bearing fruit. They understand very well about what to do to the plants or trees that does not bear fruit. In order to make them understand I would like to bring out the Scripture passage John 15: 1-17 where it clearly explains about Jesus as the True Vine, and the believers are branches. The branch that bears fruit is the Christian who is growing more like the lord Jesus. Even such vines need to be trim or purify. Just as a real vine must be cleansed from insects, mildew, and fungus, so a Christian must be cleansed from worldly things that cling to him. Christ Himself is the vine, believers are vine branches. A vine branches has one great purpose- to bear fruit. The branch can only bear fruit as it put up with in the vine. The only way believers can bear the fruit of a Christ like character is by living in touch with Christ moment by moment. I hope by explaining this, people may come to understand that a believer who does not abide in the Lord is one who does not bear the spiritual fruit, and they may come to know that a believer must always cling to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

 

            In order to contextualize the biblical message to my own people, I have explained by bringing out a biblical passage and its application to the relevant context of my people. This may not be a perfect way but I hope it will help my people to understand how a believer should be, and this may help them to realize their worldliness and come back to a genuine relationship with Christ in their day to day life.