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Author Prior, Randall, author

Title Contextualizing theology in the South Pacific : the shape of theology in oral cultures / Randall G. Prior ; foreword by Roger Schroeder, SVD ; preface by Ilaitia Sevati Tuwere
Published Eugene, Oregon : Pickwick Publications, [2019]
©2019

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 MELB  299.92 Pri/Cti  AVAILABLE
Description xviii, 262 pages : illustrations, map ; 23 cm
Series American Society of Missiology monograph series ; 41
Contents Tracing the movement of the contextualization of theology -- The contextualization of theology within the South Pacific -- The voice of South Pacific islanders: on the definition, the content, and the methodology of theology -- Methodology: the key to contextualization: three fundamental issues -- A case study: The "gospel and culture in Vanuatu" project -- Conclusions
Summary This book engages with a widespread contemporary dilemma--how do we do theology in a context where the cultures of the people are oral and not literate? The nations of the South Pacific, from their missionary beginnings, inherited an approach to theology that was dominated by Western cultural categories. The global movement of contextualization began to impact upon Pacific churches in the 1960s, and challenged this inherited approach. Significant changes have resulted, but the dilemma has remained. The dominant approach is still one that is defined by and better suited to literate cultures. The consequence is that theology remains an alien enterprise, distant from the life of the local churches, and distant from the hearts and minds of the indigenous people. In facing the dilemma, this book exposes the fundamental differences between primary oral cultures and primary literate cultures, and identifies the key factors that lie at the heart of the theological problem. By addressing each of these in turn, the author then paves the way ahead. He offers a methodology for theology that is rooted within the oral cultural context of the South Pacific . . . and potentially in any context where oral cultures are the norm. The consequences for theology and for theological education are profound. -- Back cover
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references (pages 235-253) and indexes
Subject Christianity -- Oceania
Christianity -- Vanuatu
Christianity and culture
Oral tradition -- Oceania
SUBJECT Melanesia -- Religious life and customs
Author Schroeder, Roger, writer of foreword
Tuwere, Ilaitia, Sevati, writer of preface
LC no. 2019300181
ISBN 1532658575
9781532658570
9781532658587
1532658583
Other Titles Theology in oral cultures