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

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The <strong>contextual</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> Pentecostal <strong>missiology</strong> has been evident throughout <strong>the</strong><br />

history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> movement, and although still developing, mission has been an<br />

inseparable element <strong>of</strong> Pentecostalism from its very inception. According to Grant<br />

McClung, ‘Pentecostal’ and ‘<strong>missiology</strong>’ has become ‘more synonymous than<br />

oxymoronic.’ 24 The <strong>contextual</strong> nature <strong>of</strong> Charismatic Christianity will be argued<br />

as a prime reason for <strong>the</strong> phenomenal growth <strong>of</strong> Pentecostalism worldwide.<br />

Anderson proposes that ‘Contextual Missiology’ must be a salient feature <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

twenty-first century Pentecostal <strong>missiology</strong>. 25 According to him,<br />

One <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> main reasons for <strong>the</strong> phenomenal growth <strong>of</strong> Pentecostalism has been its<br />

remarkable ability to adapt itself to different cultural and social contexts and give<br />

au<strong>the</strong>ntically <strong>contextual</strong>ized expressions to Christianity. Pentecostalism is<br />

inherently adaptable to <strong>contextual</strong>ization: <strong>the</strong> vibrancy, enthusiasm, spontaneity<br />

and <strong>spirit</strong>uality for which Pentecostals are so well known and <strong>the</strong>ir willingness to<br />

address problems <strong>of</strong> sickness, poverty, unemployment, loneliness, evil <strong>spirit</strong>s and<br />

sorcery has directly contributed to <strong>the</strong>ir growth. 26<br />

Cox observes that Pentecostal capabilities to transact <strong>the</strong> <strong>contextual</strong> aspect <strong>of</strong><br />

religion and also to equip <strong>the</strong> people to live in <strong>the</strong> hastily changing global<br />

situations are vital for its remarkable growth. 27 While analysing David Yonggi<br />

Cho’s <strong>the</strong>ology, Anderson comments that Korean Pentecostalism should be<br />

assessed not only from within <strong>the</strong> internal cultural and religious context <strong>of</strong> Korea<br />

but also from <strong>the</strong> external influence <strong>of</strong> globalization. 28<br />

24<br />

L. Grant McClung, Jr. ‘“Try to Get People Saved” Revisiting <strong>the</strong> Paradigm <strong>of</strong> an Urgent<br />

Pentecostal Missiology,’ in Globalization <strong>of</strong> Pentecostalism, 31.<br />

25<br />

Allan Anderson, ‘Towards a Pentecostal Missiology for <strong>the</strong> Majority World,’ AJPS 8, no.1<br />

(2005): 29-47.<br />

26<br />

Anderson, ‘Contextual Pentecostal Theology,’ 102.<br />

27<br />

Cox, Fire from Heaven, 218-19.<br />

28<br />

Anderson, ‘Theology <strong>of</strong> David Yonggi Cho,’ 109.<br />

268

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