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A New Evangelism That Shows Respect
By Alice Smith
General Board of Global Ministries, The United Methodist Church
July 12, 1999
 

Today's evangelists must respect the indigenous religions and cultures of people as they go about the work of spreading the gospel, according to Filipina seminary professor the Reverend Elizabeth Tapia. "Do not sacrifice people and their cultures in the name of spreading Christianity," she told participants at a June 25 global consultation on evangelism in Atlanta. "Proclaiming the gospel to a particular people requires understanding their collective experience and systems of values."

The United Methodist clergywoman is dean of academic affairs and a professor of theology at Union Theological Seminary in Dasmarinas, Cavite, Philippines. She made the point that for many centuries, Christians did not respect indigenous religions and cultures. "Some people," she said, "think they are called to lead people to God instead of letting God lead the people, to transport Christ to nations instead of acknowledging the Christ-event in national affairs." She noted that Asia is a vast continent where 97 percent of the people embrace religions other than Christianity. But even before the Western missionaries came, she said, "I believe God has, in the past two millennia, revealed wisdom, love, and power to our ancestors."

She quoted a Buddhist saying that there is no absolute truth but 300,000 truths. "It might be wise not to claim we as Christians have a monopoly on the truth and the gospel. There are varieties of truths just as there are varieties of ministries." The Judeo-Christian tradition, she emphasized, is not the norm for the entire globe. "Creating space for different identities, as well as living in dialogic coexistence, mutual learning, and solidarity are important goals in a pluralistic context." She cautioned today's evangelists to dispense with any attitudes from the past that reflect colonialism, elitism, patriarchy, racism, or a non-participatory mentality. Instead, she lifted up the example of a Baptist colleague at the seminary, Dr. Dennis Shu Maung, who worked among Buddhist communities in Burma. "He did not introduce himself as a pastor but as a neighbor and a farmer. . . . He did not establish a church but established lasting friendships . . . and lived with the people . . . in solidarity."

Christian evangelists should emulate his model, Tapia said, working to build friendships and trust and joining with people in their struggles. "A spirituality of humility, sensitivity, servanthood, and integrity can nurture relations with our neighbors who experience God's revelation and love through a different path of belief and praxis." She emphasized the importance of patiently waiting until people are ready to hear the gospel message. "In order to be effective, wait till you are invited, wait till you are summoned to help, wait till they are ready to receive you, wait till they ask the crucial question: 'What must we do to be saved?'"

The experience of living with diverse cultures offers blessings to evangelists such as the opportunity to learn from and develop a sensitivity to other cultures. "Many Christians from the North," she said, "are becoming sensitive to the gifts, talents, and commitment of believers from the South. Interactive ministry and equal opportunities for evangelization are called for in the new millennium."

Evangelists should also be ready to deal with the challenges that diverse cultures present, Tapia said. Women living in a patriarchal culture may question whether religion and the Bible will be used to justify oppression. Indigenous people may be suspicious of the real motives of evangelists. Those of a different sexual orientation will feel discriminated against, and people of color will seek an inclusive gospel. A new sensitivity to and respect for culture, Tapia said, calls for repentance, renewed commitment, and solidarity with people who struggle for justice and liberation. Church growth, she said, should not be judged solely by numbers but by "quality, nurture, silent and gentle witness."

That witness, she said, should be characterized by Christian education and nurture of all age groups and by specialized ministries to migrant workers, refugees, persons living with AIDS, the homeless, substance abusers, and victims of domestic and sexual violence.

"We need to propagate an 'integral' evangelization that integrates the conditions and concerns of the total person physical, mental, political, economic, and psychological." Evangelization must also be sensitive to environmental concerns, must incorporate the goal of world peace, and must ensure that all people and all nations have access to information technology.

The continent of Asia, she noted is beset with tremendous problems: poverty; rising violence against women, children, and indigenous peoples; political and religious conflicts; militarization; consumerism; unemployment; migration; and enormous foreign debts. But despite the manifold difficulties, she sees hope as people are becoming more aware of their conditions and are banding together to work for change, self- empowerment, and self-governance.

"Those privileged to see the dawn of the new millennium," Tapia concluded," are called to greater challenges and commitment, to learn from the past, celebrate the past, dream the future. We come from rich and diverse cultures. We are different. Yet we are united in the Spirit of Christ."