TH101 Introducing Bible Doctrine I: Theology, Divine Revelation, and the Bible
TH102 Introducing Bible Doctrine II: The Triune God and His Heavenly Host
TH103 Introducing Bible Doctrine III: Humanity, Sin, and Salvation
TH104 Introducing Bible Doctrine IV: The Church and Last Things
TH112 Doctrine of Christ and the Church: A Reformed Perspective
TH113 Doctrine of Salvation and Eschatology: A Reformed Perspective
TH321 Cultural Implications of Theology: Influences of Christian Doctrine on Society
TH331 Perspectives on Creation: Five Views on Its Meaning and Significance
TH341 Perspectives on Eschatology: Five Views on the Millennium
TH351 Perspectives on Justification by Faith: Five Views on Its Meaning and Significance
TH361 Perspectives on the Trinity: Eternal Generation and Subordination in Tension
TH390 Contextual Theology: Examples from Christianity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Contextual theology requires you to take human contact seriously and is an indispensable source of theology. Victor Ezigbo discusses how contextual theology can teach theologians who already do theology from a systematic, historical, or biblical perspective. Ezigbo explores the “ancestor Christologists” in Africa, who look at Jesus Christ as an “ancestor”—someone analagous to the African concept of an ancestor of the spiritual world and the physical world. He explores liberation theologians in South America and their work, including their emphasis on engaging in social action and taking on socio-political problems in their communities. Ezigbo considers Dalit theologians as an example of theology in Asia. These individuals take on the questions that the Dalits—who are considered outcasts in the traditional Hindu system — are asking about the gospel. All of these contextual theologians from around the world have learned that theologians have the responsibility of serving the church — they should identify the needs of the church and address those needs in the ways that people can understand. Contextual theology will help all theologians accomplish this great task.
Define the concept of contextual theology
Understand the relationship between contextual theology and other forms of theology such as systematic theology, historical theology, and biblical theology
Apply the strengths and criticisms associated with contextual theology
Introducing the Speaker and the Course
What Is Contextual Theology?
The Contextual Character of Theology
The Method of Contextual Theology
The Process of Constructing a Theology
Three Steps for Doing Contextual Theology
Criticisms of Contextual Theology
Benefits of Contextual Theology
Examples of Contextual Theology
Contextual Theology before the 1950s
African Contextual Theology since the 1950s
Latin American Contextual Theology since the 1950s
Asian Contextual Theology since the 1950s
North American Contextual Theology since the 1950s
Christianity in North Africa
Major Factors in Bringing the Gospel to Africa
Key Assumptions of Western Missionaries in Africa
Western Missionary Strategies in Sub-Saharan Africa
Reforming the Church from Within
Reforming the Church from Outside
Features of African Indigenous Churches (AICs)
The Rise of African Christian Theologies
Gap and Fulfillment as an African Christological Approach
Deconstruction as an African Christological Approach
Reconstruction as an African Christological Approach
Solution Orientation as an African Christological Approach
Communicative and Hermeneutical African Christological Approach
Who Is an Ancestor in African Traditions?
Ancestors and Christology
How Can Jesus Become an African Ancestor?
Strengths and Weaknesses of Ancestor Christology
Revealer Christology
Illustrating Revealer Christology
The Church Today
Learning from African Contextual Theology
The Birth of Latin American Liberation Theology
The Grassroots Response to Sociopolitical Issues in Latin America
Theologians’ Response to Socioeconomic Issues in Latin America
Strategies of Latin American Liberation Theologians
The Hermeneutics of Liberation Theology
Political Characteristics of Liberation Theology
Major Theological Themes in Liberation Theology
Contributions of Gustavo Gutiérrez to Liberation Theology
The Preferential Option for the Poor
The Theological Justification of the Preferential Option for the Poor
A Summary of Gutiérrez’ Contributions
Criticisms of Liberation Theology
Responses to Criticisms of Liberation Theology
Concluding Reflections on Liberation Theology
Introduction to Indian Christianity
Dalits within the Indian Caste System
Why Did Dalit Theology Emerge?
Sources of Dalit Theology
The Dalit Resistance Movement
The Goals of Dalit Christian Theology
Contributions of Joshua Gurram to Dalit Christian Theology
Concluding Reflections on Dalit Theology
Isn’t the Term “Contextual Theology” Redundant?
How Does Contextual Theology Relate to Other Theologies?
Is There a Place for Universally Binding Theology?
What Blind Spots Affect How We Do Contextual Theology?
How Can Theologians Develop and Apply Contextual Theology?
Are There Different Approaches in Contextual Theology?
Is There a Preferred Model of Contextual Theology?
Course Summary
Title: TH390 Contextual Theology: Examples from Christianity in Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Instructor: Victor Ezigbo
Publisher: Lexham Press
Publication Date: 2016
Product Type: Logos Mobile Education
Resource Type: Courseware, including transcripts, audio, and video resources
Courses: 1
Video Hours: 7
Victor Ezigbo received his PhD at the University of Edinburgh and is associate professor of systematic and contextual theology at Bethel University in St. Paul, Minnesota. His areas of research are Christology, African Christian theologies, African indigenous religions, and world Christianity. He is the founder of The Center for Research in Global Christianity. His recent books include Introducing Christian Theologies: Voices from Global Christian Communities and Re–Imagining African Christologies: Conversing with the Interpretations and Appropriations of Jesus in Contemporary African Christianity.