Paul's Movement in the Direction of Inculturation and Inculturating the Gospel among the Mbala in the Democratic Republic Of Congo
Loading...
Date
2001-02
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Tangaza University College
Abstract
In reading the life of Paul, we know that Paul was left to determine whether salvation
lay in Christ, or meticulous observance of the law. We shall see that Paul has to adapt his
Jewish traditional heritage to his new Christian message. Paul brought therefore Christian
modifications to his Jewish traditional beliefs. Hence, Paul's dilemma is more or less the
same as that of Mbala. The Mbala must integrate Christianity and ancestral belief.
Christianity for them is worn like a coat. In times of crisis, it is taken off.
Given this understanding, our reflection is an attempt to discover Christ from the
perspective of Mbala culture. We wish to show therefore how Christianity can be
inculturated into our African cultures today, after the example of Paul. We are
considering the Mbala culture. The Mbala are people living in the western part of the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
Since our topic includes the movement in Paul's life from his pre-Christian life to his
Christian life, and the direction of inculturation, we will undertake a critical investigation
of events, developments, and experiences. We propose an analytical-comparative
method. We need, therefore, biblical texts and sources about Paul to support our
arguments.
Our topic is addressed in three chapters. In our first chapter, we will try to present
Paul as a fanatical defender of the pharisaic tradition, his face turned backwards to the
past. Paul clings to his strong faith in the Mosaic tradition, which is salvation in
meticulous observance of the law. In the second chapter, we will be concerned with the
change that occurs in the life and thought of Paul to demonstrate his movement in the direction of inculturation. Hence, we shall see that Paul never intended to replace the Law
as means of salvation and justification for Jews, but only to add Christ as a means of
salvation for ethnic Gentiles. Thus, salvation is no longer meticulous observance of the
law, but adherence to Christ Jesus. We shall discover this when we discuss Paul's
encounter with Christ, that is, his conversion. In the third chapter, we will attempt to
discover Christ's presence among the Mbala in the western part of the Democratic
Republic of Congo. Here, we will deal with the inculturation of Christianity among the
Mbala after, Paul's example. Finally, in the conclusion, we will summarize briefly our
discussion of Paul's mission and inculturation.
Description
Keywords
Inculturation, Gospel, Mbala, Paul's Movement, Paul's encounter with Christ, Paul's concept of inculturation