Adesegun Hammed Olayiwola

Effective Contextualization of the Gospel Message in Predominately Muslim Communities Adesegun Hammed Olayiwola

I think contextualization is found in various areas of life. In communication, it involves adjustment in style, format or tone to have a successful conversation with another person. Like if I were visiting another country, I need to respect their culture and practices without imposing my own that may be offensive to the local people. I need to be able to understand the nature of the place I am in so I can communicate with the local people properly. In ministerial work, it is adapting the form of the message to a target audience so it becomes more acceptable. It is honest servant-hood. It is not condoning diversity nor does it mean accommodating seedy practices? We need to understand that the Scripture is the standard by which all things are to be evaluated. According to Zane Pratt, the Director of Global Theological Education for the International Mission Board. In the article?(Four Biblical Foundations for Contextualization, July 18, 2016) he wrote in Nine Marks Organization Articles, he said, "Contextualization is both unavoidable and good. The gospel can--and should--be at home in every culture. We must identify with those we are trying to reach and adapt to their culture, no matter what discomfort it causes us. However, the gospel also challenges and condemns every culture at some points (including our own). Where the Bible draws a line, we must draw a line. The goal of contextualization is not comfort, but clarity. The gospel will never be comfortable to any fallen society or to any sinful human being. Our goal is to make sure that we do not put any obstacles in the way of the gospel ourselves, that the only stumbling block is the stumbling block of the cross, and that the meaning of that cross is clear to all."