Undergraduate Projects/Long Essays

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    "He Dwelt Among His People" John 1:14. Inculturation And Incarnation
    (Tangaza University College, 2004) Gyamfi, Kwadwo Joseph
    In this paper I wish to discuss the concepts Inculturation and Incarnation as the medium through which the Gospel message reaches people within a given context. The main emphasis on the part of Inculturation will be on the Son of God becoming man and living among people. On this, the prologue of St. John will much in focus; "He dwelt among his people" (Jn. 1: 14). Understanding the thought of this text will be a great help to the Church and her Pastoral agents to apply the Gospel message in a given cultural context. In this way, the people will live authentic Christian life in their own culture setting. Inculturation being the issue at hand in the Church, I will begin with the first chapter reflecting on the historical background of inculturation. Special attention will be focused on the various descriptive definitions of inculturation in order to arrive at the basic thought of the word. In order to have a successful trend of incarnation, I will analyse the Old Testament's attempt of God to come among his chosen people, the Israelites. "He dwelt among his people" (Jn. 1:14). This is what the paper will consider as the core of Inculturation. The mystery of the second person of the Trinity becoming man and live among people. Here the concern is the understanding of what it means for the Son of God to live among people. This is the heart of the second chapter. The last chapter looks at the pastoral implication of inculturation as way forward for the Church's Inculturation. On this part incarnation will not be limited to the unique sense it takes when it is applied to the Word and fresh. Incarnation will be used in a broader sense as God's encounter with people in the world and into human lives as it was revealed to the Jews at that time. The emphasis will be the need for people to meet God in their own cultural settings as Jesus himself lived and proclaimed the Gospel message in his Jewish cultural setting. I intend to limit myself to the Biblical text, in which I believe when it is understood can be applied to any area of the Church's inculturation. I shall conclude this reflection with few recommendations, which can be of help pastoral agents to communicate God to humanity in their own cultural settings.
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    Incarnation of Christ is the Foundation for Inculturating the Gospel
    (Tangaza University College, 2006) Malugao, Dioscop
    Missionaries, messengers of God's Words are often exposed to different cultures. The main aim of their presence in the mission areas is to implant the Gospel message in the heart of the people. How to do it? Is it possible to insert the Gospel message without considering the mentality of the people which is very much influenced with the existing culture? Indeed, inculturation is one of the essential tasks among missionaries. Inculturation in mission is challenging because we are dealing here with cultures which origin is as complex as the origin of humanity. Out of its complexity, some missionaries have somehow overlooked its importance. Others might have tried to work on it in their respective parishes but their approaches have remained questionable. Certainly, a lot of things have to be improved in this area. What are the approaches which can be of help to respect the existing cultures without neglecting or overlooking the Gospel message? We consider here the rich experience I had with the Basukuma people. It is an ethnic group in Tanzania which is unique and culturally known for their richness. Many books have been written about them out of love and interest. Besides my experience with them, I have also read some of these books. This is how the seed of love and interest towards the Basukuma vegetated with the desire to deepen my knowledge and understanding of their culture. In general, if we take into consideration the Basukuma culture, this paper would not be able to contain adequately the broadness of this culture. The focus here is mainly to look at a certain practice; the incorporation of the newly born child into the clan. We do some social, cultural and religious analysis but it is not enough to exhaust the beauty of it. Anyhow, the practice of the incorporation of the newly born child into the clan is still important among this people and it has still a great influence on their mentality. Moreover, this practice contains a lot of values that would help us to enlighten our approach in the field of inculturation. To strengthen the pillars of this study, let us also acknowledge some theological insights which have contributed to the development in the field of inculturation. We shall focus on some views of inculturation among the first Christian Missionaries, inculturation in Africa and the modern day understanding of inculturation according to some theologians. However, it is inadequate to talk about inculturation without considering its Christological Foundation. In addition, we shall include the Incarnation of Christ, focusing on "self-emptying" with its Biblical interpretation, some hints of Church's Fathers view and the Incarnation in Vatican In the application, we shall see how we can appreciate the traditional values in the light of the Christian values and how does it affect my missionary approach in the field of inculturation. Focusing on one practice serves only as an example but the approaches and applications will remain essential.
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    Inculturation - Incarnation: The Challenge of Religious Life In The Third Millennium
    (Tangaza University College, 2001-03-19) Angelica Aguilar Ochoa, Paula
    Today, in our changing world, we Religious are experiencing a period of crisis and of witnessing. We are living in a time of rapid change where globalisation is taking place. Our world has been defined as a "Global village" where cultural change is greatly impacting the local culture.' Understanding culture as our way of being human in the world, as our identity, we can see the influence of a global cosmopolitan society coming to tell us how to live, to feel, to act and react... This global culture is passing through our hearts and minds and it is reflected in our behaviours. For example: we can see here in Kenya Christian youth knowing "something" about the cultural heritage of the clan/tribe they belong to, but rarely this knowledge has been integrated, reflected upon and challenged so as to have a clear stand in their behaviours and options as members of the society. Few people have been able to discern which are the cultural values2 the person has received, which are the ones that this global culture is presenting and which are the Gospel values one uses to make a choice in his/her way of living. As daughters and sons of their times they are experiencing a dualistic life standard that weakens their self-identity, sense of belonging and the all-embracing African worldview of the human person.3 Consequently, we can say that we are experiencing a state of total confusion in a society of frustration and addiction. Although in a false way, addictions supply what the real cultural values formerly provided in terms of self-identity. These changes that we are facing are taking place so fast that awareness of them seldom has room in our daily lives. They leave no space to reflect, integrate and make choices about questions like: Who am I? Who am I called to be? To whom do I belong? How to deal with so many different issues: anger, stress, 'freedom', war, hatred, the mass media, consumerism, new forms of Gnosticism, etc. This is happening not only in Africa but in other continents as well. This general situation, of course, also affects the life of the Church. The Church as a body is composed of different members who belong to different social, economic and cultural backgrounds. As in the society, we are experiencing a period of transition. self-awareness and self-emptying, such as the one of the Father who, moved by perfect love that is God's essence, was revealed in the Son, the Word. Thus, God humbled himself, taking the form of a humankind who collaborated and participated in freedom in the salvation of humankind (cf. Phil 2:6-8). It is through Mary who in total availability to God was overshadowed by the Spirit, that the Word, the Son of God, became one of us in response to the Father's love. The Incarnation, something no human being could ever have imagined, constitutes a dangerous memory6 for us, prompting us to be what we are called to be (Chapter 2). That is to know ourselves as well as the Gospel' and the charism' of our institutes, in such a way that Christ may be born once again in each one of us, in our communities and consequently in the Church and the society (Chapter 3). We are called to the integrity of a prophetic love that has as its core the Kingdom of God. As expressed in the Beatitudes which embody a spirituality of conflict so necessary and urgent in the current times (Chapter 4).
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    Inculturation from a Scriptural Perspective
    (Tangaza University College, 1998-02) Nampota, Paul
    This essay is a reflection on the issue of inculturation. It is good to keep in mind that inculturation has always been in the heart of the church, right from the beginning. Of the many examples available to show how seriously the Church has taken this issue of inculturation, I have picked two: (I) the Church of the Apostles whose story we read in Luke-Acts; and (2) the Church of Africa. Also, there is considerable weight given the issue of inculturation at Tangaza College, where I am presenting this essay as a partial fulfillment of the degree Bachelor of Arts and Religious Studies awarded by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). This stimulated my interest in the subject, and I began reading more on this topic. While reading, I came to realize that there is a development of theology called "Theology of Inculturation.' This theology attempts to reflect inculturation in the areas of Liturgy, Christ°logy, Christian Anthropology, only to mention a few. So far I have not seen any literature which reflects on inculturation as seen from a Biblical perspective. All the same, I learned much from Fr. Nicholas Foggliaco.' Fr. Lacomara2 also reflects in his classes how inculturation has been used in the development of Israel's faith in the One God. From them I learned that there are many other ways we can use Scripture to reflect on the issue of inculturation. Encouraged by what they taught me, I thought it wise to reflect on my own about a topic of inculturation to see what other themes I could uncover in Scripture. Since Scripture is a wide field, I limited myself to the New Testament, and even more specifically, to the Book of Luke-Acts. Hence this essay reflects "Inculturation in the light of Luke-Acts." In the first chapter, I define inculturation. Also, I tried to see how we can talk about inculturation today, when things change so fast and cultures are changing. And if we can rightly speak of inculturation at all, who are to be involved in these efforts in our Church of Africa today. The second chapter has three parts, following the divisions of Luke's Gospel: The Infancy Narrative, The Ministry, and The Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus. Through this process, I have come to reflect about the 'Incarnation as a divine step to inculturation.' The second chapter shows further that inculturation is "letting our daily lives be transformed by the Gospel and giving of a new expression to the Gospel in our daily lives.'3 In this attempt, Luke the Evangelist has been my resource theologian. I reflected on the theme of inculturation in the story of Jesus that Luke presents in the Gospel and the birth and development of the Church in the Book of Acts. Hence the outline of the second chapter is as follows: * Incarnation as a divine step to inculturation. This is the main theme of the chapter. * Theology of inculturation in the Book of Luke-Acts. Focusing on Luke as a theologian of inculturation in addition to being a historian and apologist of the Christian faith. * And through the stages mentioned above: infancy, ministry, and passion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the essay reaches its goal in exemplifying Incarnation as a divine step to inculturation. The third chapter concentrates on how the Church has carried out the divine plan to save all humankind by adopting inculturation as a vessel for communicating this salvation to the people of the nations. Outstanding in this work of saving humanity is the Holy Spirit who is the key agent of inculturation. Through the human instruments of Peter, Paul, Bamabas, and other disciples, the Spirit communicated the saving message of God to the Gentiles and enabled them to accept this message as their Good News. This has all been possible by the use of inculturation. In the conclusion I have tried to draw together and show how the Church of Africa continues the same story of Jesus and the Church of the Apostles in the furthering of salvation to the people of Africa through inculturation under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Hence this essay's title, "Inculturation from a Scriptural Perspective." The Bible translation used for quotations in this essay is: The Catholic Study Bible, edited by Donald Senior, printed by the Oxford Press, New York, 1990.
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    Jesus Christ, the Sacrament of God: Source, Inspiration and Model of Inculturation Today
    (Tangaza University College, 2011) Awogya, Alfred, W
    This essay will take us through a journey of discovery. Firstly, we shall attempt to better understand and appreciate this much talked about concept, inculturation, delving into its origin and meaning. Then we shall look into the world of Jesus Christ, the Son of God 3 J. wALIGGO, Inculturation: Its meaning and Urgency, 21. 5 and Son of Mary, who stands at the centre of Christian life. Here we shall endeavour to catch a glimpse of the profound mysteries of his life from his incarnation to his glorious resurrection and ascension and the event of Pentecost. With some understanding of whom Jesus is and the recognition of the central place he holds in Christian life, we shall see how every detail of his life serves as the foundation of Christian life. What becomes of Christianity without Christ? In the same way inculturation, will be meaningless and fruitless if it leaves out Christ, for what is inculturated is nothing but the Good News, which is Christ himself. We shall present the Church's understanding, teaching and practice of inculturation in the history of its missionary activity. Then we shall take a close look at the experience of inculturation in the Church in Africa
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    The Christian Mysteries - Creation, Trinity, Incarnation Paschal Mystery And Redemption and Foundation Of Mission
    (Tangaza University College, 1996-02-22) Torres, Casmiro
    In this paper I would like to focus on the relationship existing between the Christian Mysteries of Creation, Trinity, Incarnation, Paschal Mystery and Redemption, and the Mission. Christian Mysteries have got their origin in God. They belong to the same universal plan of salvation tat God offered to the humanity through his only son in the power of the Holy Spirit. Though each one of these mysteries has got its own specificities, they have a common goal; to lead humanity to enter in communion of love with the Triune God. Indeed each one can be fully understood in the light of the otters. Even though human person, being limited cannot grasp these mysteries in their fullness. I will try to explain and show how these mysteries are related to the mission. How they are the source and foundation of mission. How they bestow on mission its significance and value. In the first chapter. I deal with the mystery of creation as God's action and its relation to man. He has got some roles and duties to fulfill in order to preserve God's creation and bring it to fulfillment. The Church being the steward of God's mission on earth has to continue God's plan in creation. In the second chapter, I focus on the Blessed Trinity and the Divine missions of the Son and the Holy Spirit. Then I shall link this Trinitarian mission to the mission of the Church; and how Church's mission has her origin and goal in the Blessed Trinity In chapter three, I present the Christological mysteries; Incarnation, Paschal Mystery and Redemption as foundation of mission. I will explain how the mission of the Church is rooted in the Christological mysteries and the implications they have for the Church's mission.