Contextualisation as Theological Imperative: A Framework for Faithful Gospel Communication across Cultures

Abstract

Abstract

This study examined the lack of an integrated framework that enables local churches to combine cultural understanding, biblical-theological discernment, worldview transformation, and practical ecclesial formation when addressing specific cultural and religious practices. Contextualisation remains a key theological and missiological issue whenever Christianity enters new cultures, societies, and religions. While notable scholars have made many attempts at contextual theology, critical contextualisation, worldview transformation, theological translation, and theological boundaries, no one has presented a holistic approach to cultural interpretation, biblical discernment, worldview transformation, and church formation. This study used a qualitative integrative literature review of foundational and secondary theological and missiological scholarship, with a particular focus on the works of Bevans, Hiebert, Kraft, Sanneh, and Van Rheenen. The study comparatively analysed areas of convergence and divergence concerning culture, gospel communication, translation, syncretism, conversion, and Christian practice. The study concluded that faithful gospel communication across cultures requires an integrated framework that brings together cultural exegesis, biblical-theological discernment, worldview transformation, and ecclesial embodiment. As a result, the study recommends that faithful gospel communication requires neither cultural rejection nor cultural surrender, but a dialogical, critical, and communal process in which local churches discern what to affirm, transform, or reject. The study matters because it gives missionaries, pastors, theological educators, and local Christian communities a framework for pursuing cultural intelligibility without diminishing gospel fidelity.