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Debunking the Myth - The Conditions 'We Can't Do Anything About'

When discussing Wayne Dye's Eight Conditions of Scripture Engagement, it's common for people in the Bible translation world to say, 'That's one of those conditions we can't do anything about.' Unfortunately there are a couple of these:

  • Condition 6: Spiritual Hunger
  • Condition 7: Freedom to Commit to the Christian Faith

Actually it's not true. Let's have a look at how these can be addressed by teams.

Condition 6 can be addressed by looking at the felt needs of the community, and by contextualisation.

Condition 7 can be addressed by contextualisation. So...

Felt Needs

Sometimes a community will have various struggles to do with finance or health or their collective self esteem. These can be addressed biblically, which means coming up with Kingdom goals or biblical values to replace those that are unhelpful. I heard of one community where they were continually hungry, because they could not produce enough rice to feed themselves. Developers came in and helped them by introducing a new strain of rice that was more vigorous. They grew so much rice they started to ferment it and make rice wine, which led to alcoholism. Their felt needs went from hunger to substance abuse, and the latter could be addressed by making booklets that help people to realise the danger of dependence on substances like alcohol, and by missions organisations running drying out centres that also share the good news about Jesus the Messiah with people.

Contextualisation

Often a group will have a false idea of what a 'Christian' is. For instance, in Central Asia people think a Christian is someone who goes to a building full of idols, and bows down to them and kisses them, perhaps lighting candles too. They might even think it is necessary to become a Russian to become a Christian. Instead, many followers of Isa Mesih (Jesus the Messiah) in Central Asia do so because they are able to meet with other Central Asians, in homes, sitting on the floor, drinking tea, and using their own musical instruments for worship. They also have the Bible in their own language, which is key to avoiding associations with Russian culture. The Bible is green or blue or brown rather than black. It has calligraphy on it rather than a cross. I remember seeing young Central Asian men proudly carrying a copy of the New Testament in their language, and beginning meetings for others from their background. This all helps with contextualisation of the good news. Also they way we explain the message is important. The good news is usually explained using metaphors. In the West we might use the bridge metaphor. This can be adapted in Central Asia by talking about the Sirat bridge found in Islamic teaching about how to reach paradise:

As-Sirāt is said to be thinner than a strand of hair and as sharp as the sharpest knife or sword (because of its danger).[3] Below this path are the fires of Hell, which burn the sinners to make them fall. Those who performed acts of goodness in their lives are transported across the path in speeds according to their deeds leading them to the Hawd al-Kawthar, the Lake of Abundance [which is in paradise].[4][5][6] (taken from Wikipedia)

It is possibly to use this bridge as an analogy by saying that Isa Mesih, by dying and rising again, has become that bridge for us. We can reach paradise to be with God because Isa has gone before us. As our elder brother he shares his position of honour with us, who are considered to be his younger siblings because of our faith in Isa Mesih.

Here is a film called Tümlükden Nura 'From Darkness to Light' that does exactly that:

(An English version can be found here)

This production uses lots of local arts (drama, music, clothing, architecture, etc.), which will be a topic of another blog, talking about how the arts speak to the heart.

So, in conclusion, conditions 6 and 7 can be addressed via the felt needs of the community, and by using contextualised approaches to sharing the good news. Jesus communities can also be contextualised, which makes it easier for people from a different background to become followers of him.




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