Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology And Mission (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: pagan mind, the epistles, doing contextual theology, Grand Rapids, New Testament, Old Testament (more...)

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

Product Description

Winner of a 2006 Christianity Today Book Award!

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Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: InterVarsity Press (November 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.com Sales Rank: #273,379 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 12 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

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 (REAL NAME)

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 (REAL NAME)

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.