Week 5- Chapter 5 Bevans (Anthropological Model)

Bevans provides a sketch of the anthropological method of contextual theology and some case studies. The model seems useful in its upholding of the value and dignity of a given culture, and its suspicion of the directives of the missionary, which often have little to do with the gospel. However, I hesitate to go so far as Bevans as to define the "human as the place of divine revelation [...] equal to scripture and tradition" (Bevans 1994: 48).

Extended thoughts....
At some point there must be a recognition of the evil that is to be found in all cultures. There must be a lot more put into defining the essentials of the Christian message. The example of Vincent Donovan was telling in this chapter. Donovan seemed to indicate that while he had some kind of preconceived notion of the message of the gospel, that message would not be known until it was lived out among the Masai. If what is meant here is that the implications of the gospel are not known until demonstrated in a particular context, I am all for it. However, I am not ready to sacrifice knowledge of the true nature of God's incarnation, death and resurrection for the sake of being enculturated. I think we do have a core message to share... How to share it, what it will eventually mean for a people, and what kind of forms and institutions will arise around it are matters for cultural insiders to debate.