Dangerous Exports Part One

In these next set of posts I want to speak concerning a few issue that I am continually facing here on the field. This First issue is over the "Insider Movements" and the syncretism of the Christian message here with say that of Islam. Although I will not go very deep into what these movements actually teach in an in depth way. I have however posted links for you to follow and do your own homework. 

"Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with Gods word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone's conscience in the sight of God."  - 2Corinthians 4:1-2

Contextualization is that process of taking the Gospel which has been received in one’s own culture to a different culture and effectively communicating its unchangeable biblical message in a form that is culturally understandable and acceptable to the receiving culture.

I am speaking of course in regards to “Cultural” contextualization and never will you ever hear from me a defense or approval of anything remotely aligned with a contextualization of the Gospel.  I am speaking here of a contextualization that leaves the message of the Gospel unchanged, but merely seeks to present it in a manner that is not culturally offensive (being offensive outside of what the bible has allowed.)

However, make no mistake the Gospel is offensive! It is as J.C Ryle has written;

“Heart religion is too humbling to be popular. It leaves natural man no room to boast. It tells him that he is guilty, lost, hell-deserving sinner and that he must flee to Christ for salvation. It tells him that he is dead, and must be made alive again, and born of the Spirit. The pride of man rebels against such tidings as these. He hates to be told his case is so bad.”

And although this cannot be avoided as Christ’s messengers in this world, we need not clothe the Gospel in our American, British, etc. culture and contexts which may, in itself, be offensive to the receiving culture. The problem is, biblically, we are to put aside all culture, and take on the Kingdom culture of Jesus. We are Christians/ Disciples of Jesus Christ before we are American, British, etc.

A Healthy example of contextualizing the Gospel is Hudson Taylor, the great pioneer missionary of inland China. Taylor shed the British clerical garments the other missionaries to China continued to wear, and put on the garments of the Chinese clergy; he cut his hair like the Chinese, and ate Chinese food.  He did all this while not compromising the Gospel. He merely clothed the message and the messenger so that the Chinese were not immediately repulsed by a message packaged in foreign attire and weighed down in 19th Century British culture.  In setting out in this manner Hudson had tremendous success. Remember Paul became all things to all men, in order that he might win the more, but he never altered the Gospel to do so… Never.

Contextualization (Cultural) can be an accepted and even a necessary process. Unfortunately there are those who have twisted this concept of healthy contextualization and in doing so even the Gospel itself. For these Christians, contextualization means the same thing as compromise. They believe it means giving people what they want and telling people what they want to hear. Even flirting close with the belief that there are many ways to serve God, even if it is in worshiping a different God all together (John 14:6, John 20:32, Acts 4:12). What they misunderstand, however, is that contextualization is still a process of giving people God’s answers and message, which they may not want to hear. A message that frankly transcends all cultures and all of history.

The Rub:

This form of contextualization is known as Syncretism. Syncretism is the combining of different (often contradictory) beliefs, often while melding practices of various schools of thought. Syncretism may involve the merger of several originally discrete traditions, especially in the theology and practices of religion, therefore asserting an underlying unity and allowing for an inclusive approach to other faiths.

One such example would be levels within much of the practices and teaching that is given to workers among/towards Muslims known as the C5 Scale of Contextualization or what is known as “The Insider Movement” (also click here). This is a movement that is very prevalent here and something I deal with on a continual basis among westerners.

One of the main problems within this approach is that these scales are vague, and much can fall under them. Some may consider C4 as possibly biblical, though it depends on what the actual “permissible” or even biblical forms of Christian expression are. The biggest controversy tends to fall within the C4 & C5 sections.  Ultimately, the C-scale is a culturally biased scale. Made by westerners to put down western culture, and lift up indigenous culture. The problem is, biblically, we are to put aside all culture, and take on the Kingdom culture of Christ. On this subject John Macarthur has written;

“The Apostles went out with an absolute disdain for contextualization [that which is outside of biblically accepted practices]. The modern drive for contextualization is a curse, because people are wasting their time trying to figure out clever ways to draw in the elect. Contextualization is “Zip Code” ministry. The message of Jesus Christ, on the other hand is transcendent. It goes beyond its immediate culture or sub-culture. It crosses the world and ignores the nuances of culture.” [Emphasis mine]

I am continually awed by the creativity of humans to mix and match various religious beliefs and rituals to suit their changing worldview inclinations.  I am completely appalled at what many westerners here on the field call gospel and how often times God dis-honoring it all really is. Often times you hear things in conversation like; “Many here (Muslim) in all actuality serve the same God as us, it’s just that we serve and worship Him more fully.” Or as I had one friend approached by another western worker here; “All you seem consumed with and care about is that these people bow a knee to Christ.” Can you believe that? God forbid that be my objective as a missionary of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is as John Piper has stated;

“Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church, worship is. Missions exists because worship does not. Worship is ultimate, not missions, because God is ultimate, not man… Worship, therefore, is the fuel and goal in missions. It is the goal of missions because in missions we simply aim to bring the nations [any and all cultures] into the white-hot enjoyment of God’s glory. The goal of missions is the gladness of the peoples in the greatness of God.”

Simply put this is a movement in which sadly I find many westerners advocating and working in confines to here. This is a movement that in all actuality threatens the very biblical Gospel in which we are all to be promoting and heralding. I have often said that one of the greatest things that could happen for these people (indigenous) is for many of these western workers to simply pack up their bags on go home. And sadly I mean it. 

Please, continue to pray for us as we continually contend and proclaim the gospel here. Pray that I would have love and complete compassion towards those who advocate such practices here. Pray for the many here are involved in much of these views towards ministry. Please, pray that I would continually have boldness, courage, love and compassion as I continually speak against such work here.