Stephen Bevans published the first version of Models of Contextual Theology in 1992. In it he outlined the need for theology to take context seriously. He wrote carefully and compellingly about the interaction between gospel and culture.
Five models were used in 1992:
1. Translation (Hesselgrave & John Paul II)
2. Anthropological (Robert E. Hood & Vincent J. Donovan),
3. Praxis (Douglas John Hall & Asian Feminist theologians),
4. Synthetic (Kosuke Koyama & Jose M. De Mesa), and
5. Transcendental (Sallie McFague & Justo L. Gonzalez).
In 2002 Bevans added the countercultural model as proposed by the Gospel and Our Culture Network (Lesslie Newbigin & Darrell Guder) & Michael J. Baxter.
I like the consistent organic analogies used by Bevans all the way through. Translation’s about bringing seeds to plant in native ground. Anthropological is about watering the seeds already in the ground so they’ll sprout. Praxis is about constantly weeding the garden, learning to be a better gardener. Synthetic’s about cross-pollination. Transcendental is about cultivating my own garden in the hope that another will be inspired to cultivate his or hers. The Countercultural’s about weeding and fertilizing the soil so the seeds can be planted.
Stephen Bevans is on the staff at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago. Before joining the faculty in 1986, he spent nine years in the Philippines teaching theology at a diocesan seminary. From his website: “This experience has colored the way he does theology and has also influenced his theological interests. His teaching and research probe issues in faith and culture, issues of mission theology, (particularly its trinitarian roots), and issues in ecclesiology and ministry.”
Models of Contextual Theology Revised and Expanded Edition (2002)
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Great summary on the 6 models. I was trying to wrap my head around them, till you presented the analogies and I understood them perfectly. (And yes, I haven’t got the book 🙂 )… Learned this for the subject Emerging Trends in Theology. So the post was helpful to understand what I learned.
All the best and keep up the good work!