Explore Cultural & Contextual Theology

Welcome

The Department of Cultural & Contextual Theology builds on the foundation of biblical studies and endeavors to understand, develop, and apply the missio dei in and to particular historical, cultural contexts, and culture itself. Graduates will learn how the transcultural gospel has been communicated and understood in diverse contexts, and will be equipped to fulfill their missional calling in specific contexts.

Why Missional University

Our ethnically, racially, and culturally diverse world is prone to reject any metanarrative as oppressive. The Department of Cultural & Contextual Theology celebrates that global diversity, but is convinced that the biblical redemptive message of Christ is the narrative for every culture, every aspect of culture, and every context.  Those seeking to missionally live out that gospel story must do so aware of diversity, affirming of diversity, embracing diversity, unafraid of diversity, and wisely knowing how to engage and even confront diversity.

The Department of Cultural & Contextual Theology will challenge students to explore, analyze, and evaluate their own contexts, the contexts of the “other,” and the contexts where God may be calling them to live and work missionally. Graduates will then be able to biblically, theologically, and with historical insight develop, critique, and implement global missional initiatives that are not only faithful to God’s mission but also fruitful in their outcome.

Course and Program Characteristics

Cultural & Contextual Theology at Missional University are based on the six core values of the University:

Biblically Based:

The Department assumes and builds on faithful research of the biblical text, which is the starting point and motivating factor for developing a contextual theology.

Missionally Driven:

Our concern is not to understand culture, cultures, and contexts for diversity sake, but the development and implementation of a contextually appropriate missional theology. Therefore, theological reflection is driven by the redemptive mission of God as expressed in texts such as Gen. 12:1-3, Ps. 96:1-3, Isa.12:4-5, Matt. 28:28-30, Lk. 2:30-32,  and Rom. 8:18-25.

Interculturally Focused:

God’s mission, and the one his people are called to, is that all nations (peoples) may know him and that someday those from “every tribe and language and people and nation” may give him praise. Therefore, the Department of Cultural & Contextual Theology is grounded in God’s belief that a true missional theology requires intercultural input with an intercultural goal.

Contextually Informed:

The Department is driven by the understanding that culture and context matters. Such global diversity is assumed and welcomed. It is also an integral part of the interpretation and development of missional theology because our assumption is the full authority and ability of the Bible to transform every culture.

Practically Minded:

The goal of the Department of Cultural & Contextual Theology is transformation and fruitfulness in students’ lives. Students will be challenged and taught to take what they have learned and apply it in their respective vocations and ministries.

Experientially Transformed:

The study of culture and context from a missional perspective will not be a mere intellectual or academic exercise. These will, rather, thoroughly engage the student for both personal transformation and ministry effectiveness through opportunities for reflection and the theological analysis and evaluation of ministries.