Contextualization vs. Compromise

Contextualization

We must become all things to all men (1 Cor.9:22). That means we must not needlessly offend by our (neutral) cultural traditions (the application in context has to do with Jewish, as opposed to Gentile, customs).

We must contextualize the Gospel, so that it is understandable to the interested and willing. We must not needlessly obscure what is not obscure in Scripture. (Col.4:4) 

We should be as shrewd as snakes and innocent as doves. (Mt.10:16)

Common examples of failure to contextualize: 
-	Forcing western traditions that are unrelated to the Gospel upon a foreign culture 
-	Speaking in “Christianese” that is incomprehensible even to the interested unbeliever.
-	Failing to preach the Gospel in such a way as to demonstrate its applicability and implications for the life of the average person.
-	Having a snobbish, unloving, unwelcoming, inhospitable, exclusive or indifferent attitude toward the lost.
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Compromise

We must never contextualize Jesus or the Gospel. Paul’s statements about contextualization have to do with Paul contextualizing himself (adjusting to the customs of those he was trying to reach). We must never alter or adjust the Gospel in any way, not even by omission or imbalance. (2 Tim.1:14)

 In our shrewdness, we must never contaminate God’s methods with human wisdom, as that would empty the Gospel of its power. (1 Cor.1:17)

The message of the cross, if preached accurately, will be a stumbling block to all except for those being drawn and illumined by the Spirit. (1 Cor.1:23) Preaching will not have a broad appeal to the masses of unbelievers unless crucial, offensive elements have been removed. 

Contextualization of ourselves must only be in areas of morally neutral customs. Regarding moral issues we must “come out from among (the world) and be separate (from unbelievers)” (2 Cor.6:15-18) and “have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Eph.5:11)

There should be a stark, immediately noticeable contrast between us and the world in affections, motives, speech, and actions. (Php.2:15) 

Our efforts to win their friendship and movement toward them must never occur in the areas of their vices. (Jas.1:27) Accommodation is good in areas of tradition and culture that are completely neutral, but must never involve areas of morality and purity. 

Common examples of compromise: 

-	Making entertainment the purpose of “worship” music (“Worship” that does not have God as its focus is detestable to God – Isa.29:13).
-	Lifting human methods above expository preaching (Preaching was the method Jesus used Mt.4:23, commissioned the Apostles to use Mt.10:7, and that we are to use 2 Tim.4:2).
-	Moving the Church from the center of God’s plan (Eph.1:22,23, 3:10, Heb.12:22,23)
-	Making the main function of the Church focus more on the lost than on the saved (Ministry is described in Scripture mostly in terms of ministry to the Church, Eph.4:11-16, 1 Cor.12-14, see especially 14:26).
-	Moving closer to the world in the area of vices (such as coarse language Eph.5:4, use of alcohol designed to approximate the way the world sins with alcohol to win their favor Jer.15:17, or excessive involvement in entertainment; particularly impure forms Ps.101:3). 
-	Minimizing the offensive aspects of the Gospel such as sin and the evil of the human heart (Ro.3:10-18), culpability before God (Ro.3:19), judgment (Acts 17:31), wrath (Rev.16:19), hell (Mk.9:43), the need for repentance (Acts 17:30), the sovereignty of God (Acts 17:24-27), and Jesus’ calls to complete devotion (Lk.14:26-35). 
-	Developing a “church” in which those who love the Lord with all their hearts are in the minority (Heb.12:22,23).