Reviews for Methodologies of Black Theology

The average rating for Methodologies of Black Theology based on 2 reviews is 3 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2013-03-27 00:00:00 Dan Boroja Today, many preachers preach the Word of God without realizing the needs of the people. I found this book quite interesting to understand the most important element in terms of mission perspective to understand the needs of the people. On one hand, it teaches that there are many good aspects of other religions and on the other hand it teaches that there are certain things in them that need to be revised as well. "Waterbuffalo theology" is one of the fascinating books on contextual theology of one of the Asian gurus, Kosuke Koyama. He was one of the excellent Asian scholars in contextual theology, who believed that in Asia, the unity of mankind can be achieved after viewing historical Christianity. His missionary experience richly increased living in Thailand within Buddhists. The first phrase of his book helps to understand the contextual mind of Kosuke Koyama "I will read the scriptures and theological works with your needs in mind… (vii) The book starts with looking at historical, theological and missiological perspectives in Asia. He points out the very important factor at the beginning of his book to read the Bible from an Asian lens for the engagement of contextual theology. Thus, his contribution is significant in identifying the Buddhist and Christian mind. Self-emptying is the core discussion of his dialogues with regards to mission strategy, particularly when he talks about the cross of Christ. He believes that self-giving and self -emptying is an attitude of Christ. Koyama was against the missionaries' approach of coming into Asia with the mind of civilizing and educating Asian, for him, this fashion diminished their Asian identity. Westerners coming in Asiatic religions are likely to be colonizing the mind of the Asian Christians towards Christians themselves not for others. Koyama's understanding about the western approach in Asia in terms of modernization is another attack of colonializing and an act of distracting the minds of Asians, he says that "Modernization doesn't simply mean a spread of modern technology information and practices. It is orientation in the life of mankind which has been effected radical transformations in all areas of human life" (Pg. 49). The community's lifestyle, education, health services all are troubled due to western corrupt policies in Asia. He highlights that missionaries' strategy to heal the historical wound, bringing modernization in Asia didn't work at all. Therefore, Koyama's notion of westernization in Asia affected both ways secularly and religiously. Koyama reminds the readers to engage in interreligious dialogues, learning from other religions can help Asian Christians to understand their needs. He emphasizes that rather than preaching or proclaiming, listening to other faiths and knowing them can create an open space to learn from other religions. One may argue that Christian identity can be lost learning from the other religions, but Koyama is very confident in the cross of Christ, his strong focus on Christological aspect is an act of belief that sharing or listening from other faiths cannot decrease the level of Christian faith. Respecting and understanding other people is the only missionary approach to win them rather than pointing fingers on their beliefs. I found this book very helpful, understanding the needs of Christian people in Asia, interpreting the life of Christ in Asia, interacting with other people in terms of creating an open space, building relationships, interreligious dialogues, finding aspects of truths in other religions and learning from others. I think Koyama is fascinating digging out the most problematic aspect of Christianity in Asia, among other religions that were wrongly received by Asian Christians from westerner missionaries in Asia. However, Koyama doesn't specify that what kind of revelation we need to see in other religions if his motive is to look general revelation, then my question is it can be seen in nature as well, according to his understanding, but if he's speaking about special revelation then how Christianity is unique in Koyama's theology. Furthermore, it is good to raise different challenges people are facing and to trace their identities as an Asian, however, it could have been better if Koyama has also provided solutions to these challenges.

Review # 2 was written on 2013-02-07 00:00:00 Michael Allison Dr. Kosuke Koyama (1929-2009) was a Princeton-trained Japanese theologian. He taught for a time at that liberal bastion of Christianity, Union Theological Seminary; prior to this he was a Church of Christ missionary to Thailand (1960-1974). This book, written with a delightful sense of humor sprinkled throughout, is a thought-provoking collection of essays by Dr. Koyama, published in 1974 addressing the difficult task of formulating a coherent and, especially, viable Christian witness within an Asian framework. He interacts with most Asian nations, including the Philippines, Vietnam (the book was published at the tail end of U.S. military involvement), China, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Burma.