Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission [Paperback]

Dean Flemming (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2005

Winner of a 2006 Christianity Today Book Award! Honored as one of the "Fifteen Outstanding Books of 2005 for Mission Studies" by International Bulletin of Missionary Research From Cairo to Calcutta, from Cochabamba to Columbus, Christians are engaged in a conversation about how to speak and live the gospel in today's traditional, modern and emergent cultures. The technical term for their efforts is contextualization. Missionary theorists have pondered and written on it at length. More and more, those who do theology in the West are also trying to discover new ways of communicating and embodying the gospel for an emerging postmodern culture. But few have considered in depth how the early church contextualized the gospel. And yet the New Testament provides numerous examples. As both a crosscultural missionary and a New Testament scholar, Dean Flemming is well equipped to examine how the early church contextualized the gospel and to draw out lessons for today. By carefully sifting the New Testament evidence, Flemming uncovers the patterns and parameters of a Paul or Mark or John as they spoke the Word on target, and he brings these to bear on our contemporary missiological task. Rich in insights and conversant with frontline thinking, this is a book that will revitalize the conversation and refresh our speaking and living the gospel in today's cultures, whether in traditional, modern or emergent contexts.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fine example of biblical scholarship serving the church in its task of holding fast to the apostolic gospel." -- I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen

"Outstanding and needed book in which Flemming brings instinct for missiological issues together with a depth of New Testament study." -- —Scott Moreau, Editor, Evangelical Missions Quarterly, Chair, Intercultural Studies, Wheaton College, and Managing Editor, Network for Strategic Missions KnowledgeBase

"This is a fine example of biblical scholarship serving the church." -- --I. Howard Marshall, Honorary Research Professor of New Testament, University of Aberdeen

Review

"Contextualization in the New Testament is a welcome addition to New Testament and missiological scholarship for several reasons. First, Dr. Flemming has brought current New Testament scholarship into an effective dialogue with missiological and cultural specialists. Second, in a balanced way he has rightly taken contextualization as a New Testament missional concept for Paul and his first-century colleagues beyond the neutral sense of communication of the gospel into the realm of proclamation as an intentional engagement with cultural and political discourses. Third, this move promises some very fruitful rethinking of what, in the context of conflicting cultural and religious 'stories,' doing mission meant then and indeed what it should mean now. Finally, Dr. Flemming's lucid style allows easy access to a profound discussion that will impact our understanding of the church's gospel task both ancient and present." (Philip H. Towner, Director of Translation Services, United Bible Societies )

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Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: IVP Academic (October 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0830828311
• ISBN-13: 978-0830828319
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #324,306 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dean Flemming is professor of New Testament and Missions at MidAmerica Nazarene University, Olathe, KS. He served as a theological educator in Asia and Europe for more than 20 years. His research and writing specializes in Paul's letters, the New Testament and mission, and biblical precedents for contextualization. He also has a strong interest in the book of Revelation.

He holds a Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. He was previously on the faculty of European Nazarene College in Büsingen, Germany and Asia-Pacific Nazarene Theological Seminary in Manila, Philippines. He has taught in many countries throughout the world.

In addition to writing numerous articles for scholarly and popular journals and chapters in multi-author works, Dean is the author of Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission (2005), which received a Christianity Today book award. His most recent book is Philippians in the New Beacon Bible Commentary series (2009). He has also served as a local church pastor in the U.S. and Japan. He enjoys skiing and hiking.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Biblical Insight for a Complex Challenge, March 1, 2006

By 

Dr. David Frisbie "Executive Director, The Ce... (Del Mar, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission (Paperback)

As the emergent village dialogs to frame new paradigms, more orthodox churches and movements struggle to maintain their theological integrity while contextualizing their message.

Dean Flemming, with teaching experience in southeast Asia and western Europe, contributes usefully to this discussion. Flemming, whose orientation is Wesleyan-Arminian, provides a careful and thorough study of the contextual ministry of New Testament authors, whom Flemming contends were highly aware of the cultural settings they addressed, framing their messages accordingly.

Moving with an articulate grace through many Pauline passages, Flemming devotes the core of his book to Paul's efforts to contextualize both the transitional and cultural aspects of Christ's life --- e.g. his Jewish birth and heritage --- as well as the universal and transcultural realities of Christ's atoning death and subsequent resurrection. Flemming proposes that, among its other relevant characteristics, authentic contextualization is compellingly incarnational.

Rich in theological and Biblical insight, this volume approaches an essentially missiological task from the broader framework of cross-cultural apologetics, informed by a scholar's passion for first-century Christian thought and experience. Greatly useful for those doing missiology today, this volume is also a first-rank contemporary study of key New Testament issues.

(--- Together with wife Lisa, Dr. David Frisbie is co-Executive Director of The Center for Marriage and Family Studies in Del Mar, California. He is the author of four books and numerous articles on marriage and family life.)

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Important Contribution for Contextualization, May 1, 2006

By 

J. D. Wilson (Canada & Asia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission (Paperback)

In this book, Flemming not only provides insight into issues of contextualization and expositions of the contextualization methodology of the NT writers; he has also given us a handbook to help in reading the NT reflectively with regard to re-contextualization of the NT for historically Christian cultures, as well as to assist others in contextualization of the gospel in their cultures.

The reader will realize that the NT provides us with a rich compendium of case studies in theological contextualization in a variety of cross- and inter-cultural contexts, in each of which a particular worldview (with its beliefs, values, ethics and consequent behavior) is challenged, and where an alternative, biblical and gospel-centered worldview (with its own beliefs, values, ethics and consequent behavior) is presented in a variety of possible ways. There is no "one size fits all" approach. Each context is treated with sensitivity to the specific issues faced. What is crucial in this process is firstly a clear grasp of the bible narrative and its theology of redemption, and secondly, a sensitive but critical understanding of the culture with the ability to apprehend and build on the common ground, while at the same time, to challenge what does not align with the Bible's theological perspective.

This is a wonderful contribution to the literature on contextualization. In my experience, missionaries do not appreciate the resource they have in Scripture for contextualization, or that good contextualization starts with good exegesis. Flemming's book is a great guide and rich resource. He has done a lot of spade work in grappling with a number of significant texts, and shown that the NT writers were already doing contextualization and how they did it!

I am the Asia Training Coordinator in an international mission agency and am recommending this to my colleagues.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstandinf pastoral scholarship, June 16, 2006

By 

James Paton (Calgary, Alberta) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission (Paperback)

Dean Flemming's book is an outstanding example of scholarship that serves a pastoral function. His approach towards contextualization yields rich results, for the academy and the church. Although primarily focused on the Pauline corpus he ventures wider providing insight along the way. This volume will be of great use to those engaged in missions cross-culturally and to the emerging post-Christian culture of the west.