Articles
What is Contextualization?
The principle behind Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 9:22 to "become all things to all men" is what Christian thinkers call "contextualization." Contextualization is the idea that we need to be translating gospel truth into language understood by our culture. Cross-cultural missionaries and Bible translators have been doing this for centuries. They take the unchanging truth of the gospel and put it into language that fits the context they are trying to reach. Contextualization simply means translating the gospel-in both word and deed-into understandable terms appropriate to the audience. It's gospel translation that is context sensitive.
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The principle behind Paul's exhortation in 1 Corinthians 9:22 to "become all things to all men" is what Christian thinkers call "contextualization." Contextualization is the idea that we need to be translating gospel truth into language understood by our culture. Cross-cultural missionaries and Bible translators have been doing this for centuries. They take the unchanging truth of the gospel and put it into language that fits the context they are trying to reach. Contextualization simply means translating the gospel-in both word and deed-into understandable terms appropriate to the audience. It's gospel translation that is context sensitive.
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Intentional Parenting
I did not grow up in a Christian home. I am now a pastor, as well as a Christian husband and father of three. Never having experienced the kind of life I presently live, the current landscape of my life is all new ground for me.
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I did not grow up in a Christian home. I am now a pastor, as well as a Christian husband and father of three. Never having experienced the kind of life I presently live, the current landscape of my life is all new ground for me.
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Overcoming People Pleasing
I am a recovering people pleaser. It's too bad a support group does not exist, like People Pleasers Anonymous. I used to stretch myself to the max with obligations, favors and duties. If I was not able to fulfill my promise to whomever, I was mad at me (How sick is that?)! When asked to do something, I knew in my heart that I really wanted to say "No." However, I felt that if I did say "No," I would make the person angry or worse, lose the person's regards for me entirely.
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I am a recovering people pleaser. It's too bad a support group does not exist, like People Pleasers Anonymous. I used to stretch myself to the max with obligations, favors and duties. If I was not able to fulfill my promise to whomever, I was mad at me (How sick is that?)! When asked to do something, I knew in my heart that I really wanted to say "No." However, I felt that if I did say "No," I would make the person angry or worse, lose the person's regards for me entirely.
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What You Can Do to Help Your Pastor
The bad news is this: pastors today are faced with more stress, more problems and more challenges than ever before. Statistics today are frightening. More and more pastors are leaving the ministry. Why? Because they are human, and can't be everything that everyone expects them to be. We, the church, are expecting pastors to be many things that they aren't called to be. Instead of allowing God to define their ministry, we've created our own definition. This definition takes him from being our spiritual leader and protector, and made the pastor into our baby sitter and servant. Take a look at these alarming statistics:
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The bad news is this: pastors today are faced with more stress, more problems and more challenges than ever before. Statistics today are frightening. More and more pastors are leaving the ministry. Why? Because they are human, and can't be everything that everyone expects them to be. We, the church, are expecting pastors to be many things that they aren't called to be. Instead of allowing God to define their ministry, we've created our own definition. This definition takes him from being our spiritual leader and protector, and made the pastor into our baby sitter and servant. Take a look at these alarming statistics:
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He Walked a Mile in My Shoes
Just about any religion that you study pretty much operates on the same premise – how can I, as a man, reach God. Most people believe that there is an afterlife, and live their lives in hopes of pleasing a supreme being in order to be deemed worthy enough to gain entrance into heaven. Christianity however is quite unique among other religions in its premise. Unlike other religions where man attempts to reach god, in Christianity, God attempts to reach man.
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Just about any religion that you study pretty much operates on the same premise – how can I, as a man, reach God. Most people believe that there is an afterlife, and live their lives in hopes of pleasing a supreme being in order to be deemed worthy enough to gain entrance into heaven. Christianity however is quite unique among other religions in its premise. Unlike other religions where man attempts to reach god, in Christianity, God attempts to reach man.
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The Responsibility of the Gifted
The sports headlines of today are full of stories about young men who have squandered their God given talents and abilities. You see, God has gifted these men with exceptional physical abilities that have enabled them to ascend to cultural leadership. Their acquired fame and high profile provides them with a platform through which they can have a positive impact on society.
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The sports headlines of today are full of stories about young men who have squandered their God given talents and abilities. You see, God has gifted these men with exceptional physical abilities that have enabled them to ascend to cultural leadership. Their acquired fame and high profile provides them with a platform through which they can have a positive impact on society.
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Stop Drop & Roll
Remember when you were a kid and you learned about fire safety? They told you if ever your clothes caught fire to STOP, DROP and ROLL! You should stop where you are, drop to the floor and roll around to extinguish the flames. If followed correctly, this could potentially save your life!
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Remember when you were a kid and you learned about fire safety? They told you if ever your clothes caught fire to STOP, DROP and ROLL! You should stop where you are, drop to the floor and roll around to extinguish the flames. If followed correctly, this could potentially save your life!
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Lessons from the Life of Sampson
When you look at the life of Samson, you get the sense that he was a man's man. I mean, he was the leader of a nation, strong, well-built, handsome, irresistible to women, knew how to party, and if someone crossed him, he always got his revenge. The guy sounded like the mold that all of the action heroes from the movies were cut from - the type of guy that every man wishes he could be.
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When you look at the life of Samson, you get the sense that he was a man's man. I mean, he was the leader of a nation, strong, well-built, handsome, irresistible to women, knew how to party, and if someone crossed him, he always got his revenge. The guy sounded like the mold that all of the action heroes from the movies were cut from - the type of guy that every man wishes he could be.
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