Culture & Contextualization
“Contextualization is how to see the world in other people’s eyes.” Vividly I remember the words of Dr. Rev. Warren Beattie in his introduction on contextualization. He is a speaker from OMF teaching a Culture & Contextualization at SBC.
It is a life-changing course for me as it further shapes my interests drawing closer to His ultimate purpose for me. It really drives me away from “Business” interests towards “Culture”. I’m pretty sure that what I want to learn next preferably rotating around this.
Dr. Rev. Warren Beattie is one of the most admired lecturers I’ve ever seen (trust me, i don’t get impressed by ppl easily). His fulfillment and joy radiate strongly around his teachings. As a missionary, he might not get what the world boast to have. However, he looks much more happy than other lecturers I’ve seen who seem to have everything world require but empty inside. His fulfillment in what he does for God is really contagious, and becomes a natural enchantment for his teaching. He has been a great blessing to me.
“Attainment is not the same with fulfillment, fulfillment seeks things that attainment cannot fill.”- Recapturing the Wonder, Ravi Zacharias-
In my paper for assessment, I wrote about Contextualization & Message in Indonesia for Singaporeans. Probably this is the first more theological paper i’ve ever written. It may be so imperfect considering my limited knowledge. Yet, here it is, hope it will be insightful blessing despite of its brokenness. 
God’s richness vs My poverty
This writing of John Calvin almost reflects what I feel & how I have been in my spiritual journey currently.
“.. the infinitude of good which resides in God becomes more apparent from our poverty. In particular, the miserable ruin into which the revolt of the first man has plunged us, compels us to turn our eyes upwards; not only that while hungry and famishing we may thence ask what we want, but being aroused by fear may learn humility.
For as there exists in man something like a world of misery, and ever since we were stript of our divine attire our naked shame discloses an immense series of disgraceful properties every man, being stung by the consciousness of his own unhappiness, in this way necessarily obtains at least some knowledge of God.
Thus, our feeling of ignorance, vanity, want, weakness, in short, depravity, and corruption, reminds us, that in the Lord, and none but He, dwell the true light of wisdom, solid virtue, exuberant goodness. …”
Book First.Of The Knowledge of God The Creator. “The Institutes of the Christian Religion” by John Calvin
I am driven by a deep hunger and thirst of the Truth. The Truth that provides me a firmer grip, a firmer foundation. The more I search, the more I found, the more I discover that I am still stupid. As I see the world, it gets bigger and bigger, while I get smaller and smaller. As I seek God deeper, His mighty richness is revealed step by step to limited me, human, to the extend that I think I can’t comprehend.
But by the power of Christ, I am enabled to understand a very small slice of His awesome wonder, grace, and the depth of His Words. Out of my gratitude and amazement, for me, I called it as “a tinge of Firdaus (paradise)”.
Just like a person who is asked to dive into the deep sea. I’m not a professional. Few attempts failed, and keep thinking what is so good to dive. Vulnerable to give up. As He moves and strengthens me to, I try again.
As I get a little bit deeper, I feel a little excitement to dive. Deeply curious on what is in the underwater, why professionals say it is beautiful. This beauty to be seen is not replaceable, only you must do it to experience it, you cannot ask others to see it on your behalf.
He knows, at my level, I have no the ability. I’m just a beginner. But He wants me to experience the depth and the beauty. He opens the way one by one by providing all equipment, oxygen tanks, good instructors, etc in His time, so those enables me to go deeper.
There is a time when I dive in as deep as I can, I know I shortly I will see the ground, the beauty. But my very limited ability constrains me, I was about to give up and go back to the land. I have use my everything, but I still can’t comprehend this anymore. But He comes, like a pro diver, holds me, assists me and overwhelms me with His strength to be able to go deeper and see a tinge of the beauty. Then, I am back to the land because it is not the time yet for me to see more. And what I see is just according to my current level.
The surface of the sea is still extremely HUGE! What I’ve seen might be only 0.000000000000000000001% from the whole beauty. More levels for me to explore and go through, according to His time. And though I am very2 small, I wish to see as much as beauty of Him.
Confusing metaphor? The beauty is the depth & richness of His Words and Knowledge of Him. This is a way to describe my journey implicitly.
Although, knowledge of God is so abundant, more than what I can comprehend. Although the more I know Him, the more I get inferior due to His superior wisdom. I will rejoice. Because from my inferiority & poverty, I learn humility and I know that I get closer to the understanding of my Almighty Lord!
“He must increase, while I must decrease” ~ John 3:30
Background: Reflection spiritual journey and study on Calvin Theology.
Book of Acts
When learning about book of Acts, we are asked
“Which practices in Acts should we expect today? Why?”
How about your answer? For me, it is the first love during the early church, especially the one written in Acts 2:42-47. Imagine it happen around you. Isn’t it beautiful?
Christians nowadays are losing the essence of first love. People boast more about their fantastic knowledge of God. Many broken relationship between churches with different denomination. Many concerns more about their knowledge is the right one and argue over it, while abandoning the real values of Christian life. See how united the early church is, it is sad to realize that.
Believers were ‘selling their possesions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need’ (Acts 2:45). Don’t you think the mission works will be much easier when believers are still like this? Many mission works are hindered due to lack of financial support and prayers. Many Christians can memorise the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, but in action they throw all responsibilities & struggle to missionaries, who need to fight for their own call alone. Sad? It is.
But yes, God has a purpose. He has not abandoned His people and He also never promise easy path. But through everything, He gave His guidance, comfort & joy in following His difficult path. It just that the other Christians has fallen asleep and forget their roles.
Emerson, an American poet, has ever said..
A man who sits on the sofa, will fall asleep easily.
Rev. Stephen Tong said in his sermon..
“Christians often demand to seek God’s will. While actually they are sleeping. How can you hear the voice of God while your snore is even louder that His voice?”
Well, sad to admit that Christians are falling asleep comfortably nowadays.
Think back, comparing the current condition that I witness in my church and the early church does cause me a heartache.
However, in the midst of everything. Book of Acts doesn’t mean just to sadden us with reality. It provides HOPE. In the summary of this book it shows..
“God is responsible for His church”
Yes, many Christians has fallen asleep, but God is NOT! He never sleep! If you think the condition now is the end. NO, it is not! He is still at work and he is responsible for His church. This provides us HOPE.
And if you are like me complaining that many Christians has fallen asleep, let us not be ones! Let us pray that God uses us to wake them up.
“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back” ~James 5:19
Who is the ‘someone’? God might refer it to you and me.
Background: studying about Book of Acts, reading New Testament Survey by Dr Rick Griffith, listening to Rev. Stephen Tong’s sermon.
