1. ENGAGING IN BILINGUAL THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

    port-34-by-strange-on-flickr.jpgLiving in Los Angeles as a church planter, and having helped to start a church in Hollywood as well as West LA, I have seen the importance of engaging in bilingual theological reflection. Having lived and visited different parts of the world, it doesn’t take long to recognize that each city and area has a distinct cultural ethos.  Bilingual theological reflection is the task of recognizing the grammar of the dominant culture, as well as the grammar of God so that we can better embody the good news in the context in which we find ourselves. Kenneson in Life on the Vine states, “Every generation in every culture must take up the hard work of discerning the opportunities for and the obstacles to embodying the gospel faithfully in that place and time.” (241)  

    One of the ways to engage in the art of bilingual theological reflection and thereby better construct a local theology would be to have the local congregation consider four primary questions: 

    1. If God’s reign were to be fully realized in our neighborhood, what would be different? 
    2. What are the kinds of idols in our neighborhood that need to be unmasked?
    3. What aspects of Christ’s rule do people in our neighborhood need to experience or see?
    4. What narratives, practices, convictions and institutions might challenge these idols and more faithfully express the kingdom of God?  read on…