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Theological and Biblical Perspectives

Developing such a contemporary tool should in no way be seen as unspiritual or departing from the essential message of the Gospel as recorded in Scripture. It is thoroughly incarnational in the best sense of the word This is because it places much emphasis on where people are at in their spiritual pilgrimage. Not only is every person different but so is the prevailing culture that shapes peoples' attitudes to the Gospel.

Jesus sets the scene for us by demonstrating how that people - and relationships - are equally important as the truths that they need to learn. And it is the combination of (person + truths) that constitutes the message for that moment in time in which the communication takes place.

Examples from Bible

Jesus

• He was contextually sensitive and alert: he knew where people were at
• What their problems were (Lk 18: 18-25 problem with wealth - Rich Young Ruler)
• What they were thinking (e.g. scribes and Pharisees at the healing of the paralytic man - Lk 5: 22. "Jesus, aware of their reasonings...")
• What attitudes were in their hearts
• He addressed them at their point of need
• He had compassion on them (Mt 9:36 as sheep without a shepherd. Widow of Nain (Lk 7:13))
• He came alongside them
• He left us an example that we should follow in his steps (1 Pe 2:21)

St. Paul

• Spent a lot of time interacting (Ac 17:17) with people and engaging in public debate
• On Mars Hill (Ac 17:23) - he noticed altar TO AN UNKNOWN GOD and drew this into his address
• Gives a very lucid presentation on the depravity of mankind in Ro 3:10-18. Clearly shows that the majority of people are to be found in Quad A and are not in general seeking after God and his Truth. But this did not deter Paul from communicating "by all means"

God - over-riding human wisdom and experience/knowledge (The catch of fish - Lk 5:5)

• This serves as a wonderful reminder that God can intervene at any time and by-pass the natural order in order to speak
• We should not become such slaves to planning and theories that we exclude divine intervention and departure from the norms of daily life and habit