Image via Wikipedia
Contextual theology considers every tradition to be formed through a conversation between a particular time and place and the Christian faith. It does not cover solely those faith traditions, eg black, feminist, liberation, Asian, etc that differ from those of Western Europe. The growth of new traditions is natural for a living faith. Faith is not just words on paper but lives lived in many contexts and the insights shared are a small part of what is experienced on the ground.
Given this natural diversity, catholicity is essential for Christian unity. However, it does not imply all traditions are equally valid. The point is (1) all traditions are lacking, and (2) no-one knows for certain the frailties of either their own or anyone else's tradition. Receptive ecumenism addresses this in its exploration of exchanges of gifts between traditions, where each tradition seeks from others what is lacking from its own.
The mainstream traditions are compromises between a variety of traditions who determine to collaborate despite their differences. Their purpose is threefold (at least) - mission and unity, of course, and also spiritual direction. In the Roman Catholic traditions this is known as formation; in the Wesleyan traditions as sanctification.
John Wesley was not only the greatest evangelist since St Paul but also a skilled spiritual director. He saw the need for spiritual direction amongst the new urban poor and he set up the structures (Methodist societies) whereby the poor could be spiritual directors for each other. Formation was at the core of the early Methodist movement.
And I would maintain it is just as essential today as it ever was. When the evangelicals of the 1970s found Methodism wanting, they took the wrong road. They separated themselves into purist groups and focused on evangelism. It had disappointing results because it failed to form its converts. It failed to form its converts because it did not trust the wider Methodist Church. Today, Methodism's evangelicals seem to have recognised the importance of formation within the church.
Evidence of the importance of formation can be seen in the work of Father Christopher Jamieson of Worth Abbey. I have written before of his BBC TV programme 'The Monastery' in 2005 and the book that followed it, 'Finding Sanctuary'. Recently, he has fronted another BBC programme, 'The Big Silence' which once again demonstrated the hunger people have for God, even some who do not recognise God exists.
We need therefore to recognise three legs to the churches' ministry; mission, unity and formation.
Comments