CONTEXTUALIZATION: LOCATING THREADS IN THE LABYRINTH

Abstract

Despite its wide usage, it is extremely difficult to define exactly what the term ‘contextualization’ refers to. This is so because this term itself is used by a large number of disciplines within the theological world, and not always in the same sense. Equally, related terms such as ‘context’, ‘situation’, and so on are also far from clearly defined and used in a concise manner. This paper will attempt to focus on a very limited number of matters which to my mind are still in some need of clarification. I will not attempt this clarification in any definite sense here, but will merely try to put some of them on the table, in order to perhaps point to a few aspects which are in dire need of further research and reflection. The tentative nature of this discussion is reflected in the title of this article.