Review: The Gospel in Human Contexts - CMS Australia

Choose your branch

Give

Give to a worker

  • Give
    A
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Adam and Avril Friend
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Adam and Helane Ramsay
    Japan • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Adrian and Anita Lovell
    Bolivia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Amy Stephens
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Andrew Buchanan and Abi Tandiseru
    Indonesia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Andrew and Margie Newman
    Uganda • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Angelica (Mentac)
    • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Anna Radkovic
    Kenya • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Anthony and Trudi Elyard
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Arthur and Tamie Davis
    Tanzania • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    B
    Middle East • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Brenton and Mel Kilby
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Bruce and Libby Hayes
    Nepal • QLD & NNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Bryan and Sarah Haro Leon
    Ecuador • TAS Branch
  • Give
    C
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chenny Thie
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Erin
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Grace Adams
    Timor-Leste • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Karen Webb
    North Australia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chris and Kristy Galea
    Malta • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Stef Overhall
    Chile • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Christopher and Julie Dean
    Timor-Leste • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Colin and Catherine Puffett
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Craig and Lisse
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Craig and Samantha McCorkindale
    Cambodia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    D and T
    East Asia • SA & NT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Dan and Marg
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Daniel and Olivia Webster
    Namibia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Daniel (Mentac)
    • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    David and Beck McIntyre
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Cathie Sandifer
    Netherlands • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Jennifer Juniper
    Democratic Republic of Congo • WA Branch
  • Give
    Dene and Rachel Hughes
    Japan • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Derek and Rosemary Snibson
    North Australia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Derk and Susan
    South Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    E
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    E
    East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Elizabeth
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Elle Bryce
    Japan • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Faraj and Emily (Mentac)
    • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Frances Cook
    Chile • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Gavin and Megan Rosser
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gillian Akers
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gillian Law
    Italy • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Gordon and Ruth Russell
    Nepal • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Howard and Michelle Newby
    Philippines • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Howard and Trisha Spencer
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    I
    South East Asia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Ian and Jenny Wood
    North Australia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Ian and Narelle Hadfield
    Singapore • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J and P
    Eurasia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J and S
    Central Asia • QLD & NNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    J
    South East Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jo
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Je
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jason and Hannah Fairclough
    Italy • WA Branch
  • Give
    Jeremy and Jill Horrocks
    Cambodia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jim and Tanja French
    Spain • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Joel and Tiffanie Atwood
    Vanuatu • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Joel and Aimee (Mentac)
    • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    John and Deb
    Middle East • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Jon and Deborah
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Nici
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Steph Mackenzie
    North Australia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Josh and Susannah Apieczonek
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jotham Booker
    Germany • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Julie
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    K
    South Asia • TAS Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    K
    South East Asia • SA & NT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Karina Brabham
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Kate and Bijaya (CoMP)
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Keith and Marion Birchley
    Papua New Guinea • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Kellie Nicholas
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Klaus and Jude Hickel
    Germany • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Kylie Zietsch
    South Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    L and C
    South East Asia • QLD & NNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Lachlan and Candy Grice
    Taiwan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lauren Raiter
    Spain • VIC Branch
  • Give
    M and K
    South Asia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    M
    Middle East • QLD & NNSW Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    M
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Maggie Crewes
    Cambodia • SA & NT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Malcolm and Ainsley Purdey
    Chile • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Malcolm and Charissa Forrest
    Jordan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Malcolm and Leanne
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Martin and Julie Field
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Marty and Jenny Foord
    Singapore • WA Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Bex Ooi
    Japan • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Jen Lim
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Lisa Pearson
    North Australia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Matt and Ellen Tyler
    Vanuatu • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Maurice and Amanda Jacobson
    Cambodia • TAS Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Rani Grivas-Allison
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Karen Roe
    South Africa • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Katie Taylor
    Tanzania • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Miriam Bradshaw
    Spain • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Jean Burke
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Morgan and Olivia
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Na
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Nathan and Diane Lovell
    South Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nathan and Maki Clapham
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nick and Kysha Davies
    Peru • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nick and Rebekah
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Norm and Janelle Gorrie
    Kenya • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Pedro and Joy Oliveira Woolmer
    Latin America • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Peter and Terry Blowes
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    R
    Eurasia • QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Ray and Sandy
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Rebekah
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Rowan
    South East Asia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Ryan and Lynne Verghese
    Seychelles • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    S and E
    St Andrew's Hall • VIC Branch
  • Give
    S and M
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    S and P
    Middle East • WA Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Shan-Shan Chrisp
    Taiwan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Sharmila
    South Asia • WA Branch
  • Give
    Simon and Jessica Cowell
    Italy • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Steven and Sandra Parsons
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    T
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Tim and Olivia Mulherin
    Cambodia • VIC Branch
  • Give
    Tim and Sam
    Middle East, South & Central Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    W and S
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Zoe Creelman
    North Australia • VIC Branch • Tax Deductible

General Worker Support

Select a Branch

Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.

NSW & ACT

QLD & NNSW

SA & NT

TAS

VIC

WA

Australia

Tax-deductible Workers and Projects

Select a Branch

Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.

NSW & ACT

QLD & NNSW

SA & NT

TAS

VIC

WA

Australia

Give to a Campaign

Select a Branch

Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.

NSW & ACT

QLD & NNSW

SA & NT

TAS

VIC

WA

Australia

  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    WA Branch
  • Give
    Go to: QLD & NNSW Campaigns
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Go to: VIC Campaigns
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    Go to: TAS Campaigns
    TAS Branch
  • Give
    Christmas Campaign
    VIC Branch
Your Gift
View Your Gift
Please select a frequency
  • Zoe Creelman
    north-australia • australia Branch

Give to another worker from

  • Give
    A
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Adam and Avril Friend
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Adrian and Anita Lovell
    Bolivia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Amy Stephens
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Andrew Buchanan and Abi Tandiseru
    Indonesia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Angelica (Mentac)
    • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Anthony and Trudi Elyard
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Arthur and Tamie Davis
    Tanzania • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    B
    Middle East • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Brenton and Mel Kilby
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    C
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chenny Thie
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Erin
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Karen Webb
    North Australia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Chris and Kristy Galea
    Malta • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Chris and Stef Overhall
    Chile • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Colin and Catherine Puffett
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Craig and Lisse
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Craig and Samantha McCorkindale
    Cambodia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Dan and Marg
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Daniel and Olivia Webster
    Namibia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    David and Beck McIntyre
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Cathie Sandifer
    Netherlands • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    David and Jennifer Juniper
    Democratic Republic of Congo • WA Branch
  • Give
    Derk and Susan
    South Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    E
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Elizabeth
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Faraj and Emily (Mentac)
    • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Frances Cook
    Chile • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Gavin and Megan Rosser
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gillian Akers
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Gordon and Ruth Russell
    Nepal • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Howard and Michelle Newby
    Philippines • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Howard and Trisha Spencer
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Ian and Jenny Wood
    North Australia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Ian and Narelle Hadfield
    Singapore • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J and P
    Eurasia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    J
    South East Asia • WA Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jo
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Je
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Jason and Hannah Fairclough
    Italy • WA Branch
  • Give
    Jeremy and Jill Horrocks
    Cambodia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jim and Tanja French
    Spain • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Joel and Tiffanie Atwood
    Vanuatu • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Joel and Aimee (Mentac)
    • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Nici
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Josh and Susannah Apieczonek
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Jotham Booker
    Germany • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Julie
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    K
    South East Asia • SA & NT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Karina Brabham
    France • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Kate and Bijaya (CoMP)
    South Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Kellie Nicholas
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Klaus and Jude Hickel
    Germany • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Kylie Zietsch
    South Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Lachlan and Candy Grice
    Taiwan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    M
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Maggie Crewes
    Cambodia • SA & NT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Malcolm and Ainsley Purdey
    Chile • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Malcolm and Charissa Forrest
    Jordan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Malcolm and Leanne
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Martin and Julie Field
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Marty and Jenny Foord
    Singapore • WA Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Jen Lim
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Matt and Lisa Pearson
    North Australia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Matt and Ellen Tyler
    Vanuatu • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Rani Grivas-Allison
    Belgium • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Karen Roe
    South Africa • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Mike and Katie Taylor
    Tanzania • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Miriam Bradshaw
    Spain • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Michael and Jean Burke
    Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Morgan and Olivia
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Na
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    Nathan and Diane Lovell
    South Africa • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nathan and Maki Clapham
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nick and Kysha Davies
    Peru • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Nick and Rebekah
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Norm and Janelle Gorrie
    Kenya • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Pedro and Joy Oliveira Woolmer
    Latin America • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Peter and Terry Blowes
    Argentina • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Ray and Sandy
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Rebekah
    South East Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Ryan and Lynne Verghese
    Seychelles • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    S and M
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch • Tax Deductible
  • Give
    S and P
    Middle East • WA Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Shan-Shan Chrisp
    Taiwan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Sam and Sharmila
    South Asia • WA Branch
  • Give
    Simon and Jessica Cowell
    Italy • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Steven and Sandra Parsons
    Japan • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    T
    St Andrew's Hall • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Tim and Sam
    Middle East, South & Central Asia • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    W and S
    Middle East • NSW & ACT Branch

General Worker Support

Select a Branch

Sed non urna. Donec et ante. Phasellus eu ligula. Vestibulum sit amet purus. Vivamus hendrerit, dolor at aliquet laoreet, mauris turpis porttitor velit, faucibus interdum tellus libero ac justo. Vivamus non quam. In suscipit faucibus urna.

NSW & ACT

QLD & NNSW

SA & NT

TAS

VIC

WA

Australia

Tax-deductible Workers and Projects

Select a Branch

Please select the branch you would like to give to. This refers to the CMS branch that will process your donation.

NSW & ACT

QLD & NNSW

SA & NT

TAS

VIC

WA

Australia

Give to a Campaign

  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    NSW & ACT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    SA & NT Branch
  • Give
    Aboriginal Missionary Work
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    CMS Overseas Aid Fund
    Tax Deductible • WA Branch
  • Give
    Indigenous Ministry in North Australia
    WA Branch
  • Give
    Go to: QLD & NNSW Campaigns
    QLD & NNSW Branch
  • Give
    Go to: VIC Campaigns
    VIC Branch
  • Give
    Go to: TAS Campaigns
    TAS Branch
  • Give
    Christmas Campaign
    VIC Branch
Total Gift

$0 / Month

Continue

Checkpoint

Review: The Gospel in Human Contexts

Hiebert, Paul. The Gospel in Human Contexts: Anthropological Explorations for Contemporary Missions. 2009.
Reviewed by Evangeline Hester, Communications Assistant at CMS Australia

 

What is the gospel’s solution to post-modernism? If our own understanding of God is influenced by our own culture, how do we describe him to other cultures? What can we learn from centuries of secular study of culture about the way we should (or shouldn’t) approach mission? Which is deeper, our identity as humans, or as Christians?

The Gospel in Human Contexts is about marrying theology and anthropology. These two fields of study have been segregated into ‘spiritual’ and ‘secular’ for centuries. However, they trace a similar ribbon of influence over the modern west, bound deeply to the worldview of the time. Paul Heibert, an American missiologist, has contributed several books to these fields, and his work remains on reading lists for mission courses in Australia and globally.

Part 1 – Grappling with Contextualisation

The first section of the book reviews different approaches to contextualisation, linking the eras in which these schools of thought were most pertinent with linguistic theory of the time. It begins with an overview of Signs (a word, a picture, a symbol) and Signifiers (what the word, picture or symbol represents). This is a framework for studying how meaning and language and truth interrelate with each other in different cultures. Heibert uses this theory to expand doctrines of contextualisation between cultures. He describes each attempt of the Church at trying to keep close to the true gospel that every human language is ultimately limited in its understanding of.

Part 2 – Anthropology in the Western World

Part 2 takes us through a brief history of anthropology in the western world, and how that affected perceptions of the ‘Other’ and the role of mission. Colonialism was a rampage of injustice, but it was also the revival of global mission. Romanticism led to an empathy for the foreigner, but also continued in its racist paternalism. Modernism had the great equalisation of science, but lost sight of the spiritual. Postmodernism reawakened the value of the individual worldview, but at the cost of objective truth. Heibert hints also at what post-postmodernism might look like for our generation, but as this book was published in 2009, his theories about this would be better supplemented by more recent texts.

This is the one section where I would recommend caution—the age of the author is reflected in his mild bias towards Modernism and against Post-modernism. However, in general, the text does an excellent job of describing the modes of thinking of each period and the strengths and weaknesses of it relative to the gospel. Ultimately the same conclusion is reached—how can we create a metacultural, meta-theological framework in order to create unity between the different parts of the body of Christ?

Part 3 – Missionaries as intercultural mediators

As Paul Heibert’s final work, the true gold in this book is in its third section: a reflection on the role of missionaries as intercultural mediators. Heibert writes: “The Scriptures lead us to a startling conclusion: at the deepest level of our identity as humans there are no ‘others’—there is only us.” (p.188) By the end of the book the reader is forced to reflect—do we value cross-cultural missionaries only for their value in evangelism, or do we also appreciate the way that mission creates a Church that is constantly communicating, celebrating, and refining itself into one unified body?

A comprehensive overview of anthropological and missiological worldviews over the course of modern history, The Gospel in Human Contexts is a suitable handbook for how secular and spiritual understandings of culture and society have interacted over the centuries, with a view to how these fields of knowledge should inform the work of missions today. For the lay person or CMS supporter, this book distils many of the beauties of cross-cultural church culture into a framework that can be applied to the work of established church communities in Australia.