a contextual missiology of the spirit - eTheses Repository ...

Chapter 6
TOWARDS A CONTEXTUAL MISSIOLOGY OF THE
SPIRIT
As described in the previous chapters, Pentecostalism in Rajasthan sees itself as a
Spirit-led movement, and also as a product of local Spirit revivals as well as
missionary activities. Despite the external and internal issues it faces, it continues
to grow. This chapter presents a new model of contextual missiology in the light
of the current study, referred to here as the ‘contextual missiology of the Spirit.’
Four major issues will be discussed in relation to this. First, contextual missiology
is explained. Second, the theological basis for this new model is outlined. Third,
the contextual characteristics of this new model of missiology are discussed, and
finally the importance of a contextual discernment is explained.
There has been a tremendous change in the understanding of theology in the
recent past. The contemporary global context has seen the rise of many theologies
from the Majority World. It is significant that such theologies have emerged out
of different contexts. As Cartledge has observed, ‘with the advent of liberation
theology there came a turn to contemporary praxis as the starting point’ of
theology. 1 Many, like Gustavo Gutierrez, an original thinker and a chief
proponent of Liberation Theology, argue that theology is reflection that comes
after action. Theology must continuously follow the pastoral action of the church,
and so, instead of telling us what to do, theology must pursue action as a
1 Mark Cartledge, ‘Practical Theology in the context of Pentecostal-Charismatic Studies’ (paper
presented at the Glopent Conference, Heidelberg, 2 February 2008).
262