Over at Radius International, Sam Trumball rightly observes how people incorrectly define contextualization.

Trumball begins by stating,

Pinning down exactly what they mean by contextualization, however, often proves elusive. Usually, the answer involves ministry strategies developed by successful missionaries.[1] There are two reasons why previously successful strategies should not stand alone to define contextualization. First, strategy is only part of contextualization. Second, specific strategies should be developed only after language and culture have been learned.

I’d like to highlight and strengthen a particular point “previously successful strategies should not stand alone to define contextualization.”

“Success” versus contextualization

However, one small part of this sentence is problematic and needs adjustment. The phrase “not stand alone” implies too much. It might suggest that

(1) legitimate or healthy contextualization will be successful, and/or

(2) previously successful strategies are legitimate or healthy contextualizations

Various explanations exist for why a previous mission strategy might have worked. For instance, certain multiplication strategies that emphasize rapidity might actually exploit aspects of a culture. In a traditional hierarchical culture, locals might give the Western missionary undue respect. Given his perceived authority, people simply parrot his words.

Who knows whether the message or training is contextualized in some other way?  Yet, the apparent multiplication of groups could give the impression of success when in fact similar techniques could be used by cults.

We ought to assess the success of contextualization by other criteria.

Digging Deeper for a Definition

Although he does not go in depth when defining contextualization, his basic ideas are clear and seem sound.

Contextualization is all about making adjustments—adjustments from one way of looking, communicating, and explaining to another way of looking, communicating, and explaining. The challenge, of course, is to make those adjustments without obscuring or downgrading biblical truth. So how do we contextualize across multiple cultures and still communicate the one true gospel?

First, we contextualize our lifestyle to identify personally with the people we’re trying to reach….

Second, we contextualize our ministry methods to deliver biblical truth in ways our audience understands….

The above comments are standard. I have no definite objections.

For those who’ve read One Gospel or this blog, you might see the problem. He does not address the matter of interpretation, which is where all contextualization fundamentally begins.