Author: Cloer-Clayton-Parnell
Date: 2000
Institution: Mid-America-Baptist-Theological-Seminary (0818)
Subject:
History
Language: English
Abstract:This dissertation describes the model of contextualization that Samuel Zwemer employed. It traces his theological and missiological development from childhood to his later ministry at Princeton Seminary. Specifically, his methodology is examined. The dissertation is divided into six chapters. The first chapter is the Introduction to the study. It includes the purpose, the importance, the sources, and the organization of the dissertation. Chapter two considers "Samuel Zwemer and His Islamic Context." This chapter divides into two sections. The first section reviews his life and ministry. The second section addresses the Islamic context with which Zwemer dealt. "Zwemer's Model of Muslim Contextualization" is chapter three. His model emphasized six aspects: rejection of the traditional approach, anthropological sensitivity, Christocentric message, personal evangelism, points of contact, and touching the needs of the people. A summary of his model concludes this chapter. Chapter four is "Zwemer's Model versus Its Challenges." Zwemer faced challenges to his model from Islam and theologians of his day. The way in which Zwemer negotiated these challenges is examined. Chapter five, "Samuel Zwemer and the Issues of Muslim Contextualization Today," examines Zwemer's impact on Muslim contextualization. The definition, the origin, and the history of contextualization as a term provides justification for using the term to characterize Zwemer's methodology. The divergent streams of research into which contextualization has taken scholarship are discussed. The final four sections of the chapter address models and examples of Muslim contextualization, especially rejection of Muslim contextualization, uncritical contextualization, and critical contextualization. Any information that Zwemer has contributed to the current discussions are brought to light. The chapter closes by exposing some controversial examples of Muslim contextualization. The final chapter is the Conclusion. The Conclusion portrays Zwemer as the unparalleled figure in the history of Muslim evangelism. He changed the shape of Muslim evangelism almost singlehandedly. He placed great emphasis on knowing the culture of the Muslim whom he sought to reach and on using the culture to provide points of contact from which to bridge into the Gospel. Zwemer's methodology is shown to provide the foundation for Muslim contextualization today. SO: VOLUME 61-02A OF DISSERTATION ABSTRACTS INTERNATIONAL. PAGE 649 NO: AAI9962656