Christ and Cultures Gathering

05/01/2024

Some years ago we discussed in class what would a cross-cultural hermeneutic of Scripture looks like. One of the principles had to do with what language was used when characters were engaging with another culture.

So the cross cultural conundrum: what language did the wise men / magi speak with i). Herod and ii) Mary and Jospeh?

31/12/2021

These mainly listed buildings sit at the heart of almost every community – we are squandering a precious legacy, says Guardian columnist Simon Jenkins

29/10/2021

Colin and Donna Craig-Brown raised the 7.9kg monster masher in their garden in the Waikato.

26/12/2020

Merry Christmas to everyone except the Armenians and the Greek Orthodox.

28/11/2020

The Divine Emigrant: One of the most striking images during the time Advent comes from the noted Korean diasporic theologian, Jung Young Lee.

04/10/2020

Matt Tomlinson God is Samoan (2)

There is something about this text which is leaving me a little perplexed. It speaks of a meeting between theology and anthropology - and then makes a distinction between a contextual and a systematic theology (by way of a rather collapsed reading of the latter) and then moves on to talk about the relationship of the bible and culture rather than much theology.

There are some good points made about the role of talanoa in theology but there is an awkward issue: the talanoa model appeals strongly to Tongan scholars but I know from conversation with others that it is not so helpful with regards Niue and Tuvalu- whole writings coming out of Kiribati can fasten upon song instead.

At one point there is a comment
about how folk from Kiribati and Tuvalu are expected to write about climate change: I am not surprised - it is what matters most to them.

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03/10/2020

Reading Matt Tomlinson's God is Samoan (1).

This text begins with an introduction which strikes up a helpful conversation between anthropology and theology. It is seeking to allow Pasifikan voices to reflect on how the Christian faith is expressed in diverse cultures - mainly, though, Samoan. It relies heavily in its introductory chapter on putting to use Stephen Bevans' work on contextualization.

That work is helpful but I suspect there is a need to be more aware of other work done on context (especially inasmuch as it originated in Taiwan with Shoki Coe) and how it is now played out through the concerns of a world (i.e. non-western) Christianity associated with names like Lamin Sanneh.

I think that Tomlinson is also not quite aware of the possible lines of relationship between a contextual theology and a systematic theology. Some of the best contextual theologies have actually emerged through scholars who have listened to experience, made use of key areas of doctrine (rather than concepts and constructs of culture) and allowed them to be informed by and address the context concerned

I was always struck by the fine insights of James Evans' We Have Been Believers (a black American systematic contextual theology), Lewin Williams Caribbean Theology and George Tinker's native American theology. They show what is possible operating through a different lens from Bevans.

03/04/2017

The Easter Through Middle Eastern Eyes workshop was a thought provoking event with Clive Pearson, John Jegasothy, Tasana Jessop (Matagi Vilitama), Fie Marino and Levon Kardashian presenting different perspectives of Easter. The workshop ended with a Passover meal demonstration by Rabbi Zalman Kastel.

The Easter story binds together Christians everywhere across the global Church but there are many rich and varied ways of celebrating Jesus’ dea...

19/05/2016

Prayers for Sunday 22 May

The civil war in Syria has created numerous refugees. Many people have taken the task to hand and started organisations to help the refugees by meeting basic needs. This week our prayer is for those who seek to help.

08/05/2016

Prayers for Sunday 15 May

The civil war in Syria has created numerous refugees fleeing to Greece to be able to go to Western Countries, but Greece cannot handle the huge numbers of refugees coming in. This week our prayer is for the refugees in general, and especially those in Greece.

03/05/2016

Prayers for Sunday 8 May

We continue our prayers in May for Greece. In recent years Greece has had many economic problems which has led to political problems. The culture that has influenced and still influences all thought is today in turmoil.