Intro to MIC, Level 3B

10-minute intro

1. Welcome

2. Basic Description/Definition

a. Contextualization is about how we communicate a message in a manner that is faithful to the source and understandable to the audience.

b. Example: A friend says one thing but you understand the real meaning

c. Shared knowledge

3. We all contextualize when we read scripture

a. Cultural lenses (guilt/innocence vs shame/honor, Example of Mert and Emily)

b. Theological lenses (Example: 1 Cor 13:8-10)

4. Intro the Exercise and Read Passages

a. John 1: 1-5

John 1:1–5 NIV

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

b. Romans 1:1-6

Romans 1:1–6 NIV

1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God—2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord. 5 Through him we received grace and apostleship to call all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith for his name’s sake. 6 And you also are among those Gentiles who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

c. Hebrews 1:1-4

Hebrews 1:1–4 NIV

1 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. 4 So he became as much superior to the angels as the name he has inherited is superior to theirs.

15-minute table discussion

What does the passage say about Jesus?

What can you infer about the context/audience based upon the select passage?

15-minute wrap up and pastoral message

1. Quick responses. Get a few people to give some feedback from their table.

2. Explain John

a. Written to Palestinian Jews in Asia Minor about 90 AD.

b. Written to JBB who are being pused out of their Jewish identities following destruction of the Temple. Proclaiming any king but Caesar is dangerous.

c. Light and dark are common literary images at the time of writing.

d. “By calling Jesus “the Word,” John calls him the embodiment of all God’s revelation in the Scriptures and thus encourages his Jewish Christian hearers, marginalized from some of their synagogues, that only those who accept Jesus truly honor the law fully (1:17). Jewish people considered Wisdom/Word divine yet distinct from God the Father, so it was the closest available term John had to describe Jesus.”

e. John alludes to Gen 1:1 (in the beginning). Jews believed divine wisdom was created before creation, but not eternal. John calls the Word, Jesus, eternal and God.

3. Explain Romans

a. Written by Paul to a mixed church of JBB and GBB. Most JBB had fled and now the church is majority GBB.

b. Paul’s name itself shows his Roman citizenship, thus free, but then calls himself a slave of Christ. Slaves of high ranking Romans had more freedom/power than many free commoners and slaves of the emperor were some of the most powerful in society.

c. OT prophets from Moses on were often called God’s slaves or servants.

d. Within about 6 years of writing this, both JBB and GBB in Rome would suffer together. Paul’s call for unity in the Roman church was prophetic.

4. Explain Hebrews

a. Unknown author (maybe Silas, Apollos, Priscilla). Written to diaspora or Hellenistic JBB.

b. Very high level of Greek, closest to Attic in NT. Written soon after Nero’s death and Timothy’s subsequent release.

c. Radiance or Brightness used in the Sept as a mirror that reflects God’s image. Jewish authors used divine wisdom as an exact imprint of who God is.

d. Diaspora Jews often gave angels a role in creation, something denied by the early church.

e. Some JBB, in response to persecution from Jews, would reduce Jesus to angelic status.

5. Pastoral Response

a. We contextualize because we love.

b. We contextualize because people need to understand.

c. We contextualize because God contextualized his Word for us.