This research paper is about the contextualization of the Gospel among the Oromo of Showa in Ethiopia. It deals with the culture and language of the people and how gospel contextualization is possible through the culture and language of the given people. It studies the Showa Oromo clan for reference purpose but its principles are applicable to any culture and can be a lesson for anyone who aims at evangelization through the culture and language.
The research paper consists of three parts including the introductory part. The first part of the research consists of a brief description and analysis of the Showa Oromo and how the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) failed in here evangelization strategy because of the unawareness of the cultural conditionings of the gospel and inability to preach in the language of the Showa Oromo. This part elucidates the failure of the EOC from different angles and explains that the failure of the EOC is the failure of the other churches too since all belong to the one body of Christ. As a remedy, this section forwards the importance of ecumenism and partnering between the EOC and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) as a tool to learn from one another and engage in mission together.
The second part introduces the role of the EECMY in contextualizing the gospel to the Showa Oromo through the language and culture of the people. The EECMY contextualized the gospel to the culture of the people making points of contact already found in the traditional Showa Oromo faith. Here the research explains the role of the EECMY in contextualizing the Irreechaa/Showa Oromo thanksgiving into Biblical Christianity. The EECMY used traditional name of god/Waaqayyo in evangelizing the people, which helped the people to come to Christ. The EECMY also gave the people the Bible in their language by contextualizing some pre-Christian Showa Oromo terms into evangelical Christianity and using the words in translation. This section also explains how the EECMY used native language in preaching and teaching the people. The EECMY’s incarnational ministry that involved holistic approach is also explained in detail.
The third section of the paper deals with the missiology of the Lutheran Church because the EECMY, which this paper explains about, is a Lutheran in tradition and heritage. Here the role of the EECMY in mission and the Lutheran mission theories are elucidated. [...]
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Introduction and Research Methodology
- People and the context in which the Gospel is communicated
- The Failure of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church to Evangelize the Oromo of Showa/Showans
- Lessons learned from the failure of the EOC
- How to alleviate the problem
- The EECMY Approach towards Contextualizing the Gospel to the Showa Oromo
- Contextualization of their customs and religious rites
- The Irreecha/Thanks Giving. Filling with Christ
- Indigenous language and Bible translation as the means of contextualization
- Incarnational approach as means for the Contextualization of the Gospel to the Showa Oromo
- The Lutheran (EECMY) Theology of Mission and Missiology in Light of this Research Paper
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This research paper examines the contextualization of the Gospel amongst the Oromo people of Showa in Ethiopia. It explores the cultural and linguistic landscape of the Oromo and investigates how the gospel can be effectively communicated within their context. The research focuses on the Showa Oromo clan as a specific case study, while emphasizing that its principles are applicable to diverse cultures and can serve as a guide for anyone seeking to evangelize through cultural and linguistic sensitivity.
- The challenges faced by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC) in evangelizing the Showa Oromo due to a lack of cultural understanding and linguistic adaptation.
- The role of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) in contextualizing the gospel to the Showa Oromo, emphasizing the use of their language, culture, and existing religious practices.
- The significance of indigenous language and Bible translation as essential tools for effective gospel communication.
- The importance of an incarnational approach to mission, encompassing both proclamation and diaconic service, as a means of contextualizing the gospel.
- The missiology of the Lutheran Church, particularly the EECMY, and its emphasis on the church as the sent one and the active participation of all believers in mission.
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
The first part of the research provides a detailed description and analysis of the Showa Oromo people and the EOC's unsuccessful evangelization strategy. It highlights the EOC's failure to acknowledge cultural nuances and preach in the Oromo language, leading to limited success. The section further analyzes the broader implications of this failure for other churches and emphasizes the importance of ecumenism and collaboration between the EOC and the EECMY to learn from each other and engage in joint mission efforts.
The second part delves into the EECMY's approach to contextualizing the gospel to the Showa Oromo. It explores how the EECMY has successfully integrated the gospel into the Oromo culture by recognizing points of contact within their traditional beliefs and practices. The research examines the EECMY's role in incorporating the Oromo thanksgiving festival, Irreecha, into Biblical Christianity and its use of the traditional Oromo name for God, Waaqayyo, in evangelization efforts. It also highlights the importance of translating the Bible into the Oromo language and adapting pre-Christian Oromo terms into evangelical Christianity. The section concludes by discussing the EECMY's incarnational ministry, which involves a holistic approach to mission.
The third part of the paper focuses on the missiology of the Lutheran Church, specifically the EECMY. It explains the role of the EECMY in mission and explores various Lutheran mission theories. This section emphasizes that mission is not solely a human endeavor but a divine calling, where all believers participate in mission through discipleship. It also highlights the inseparable nature of proclamation and diaconic service in mission work.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
This research paper focuses on the contextualization of the gospel, Oromo culture, language, and mission. Key themes include the Ethiopian Orthodox Church (EOC), Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY), indigenous language, Bible translation, incarnational ministry, Lutheran missiology, and ecumenism. The research examines the challenges and opportunities presented by the cultural and linguistic context of the Showa Oromo in evangelization efforts.
- Quote paper
- Wasihun S. Gutema (Author), 2009, Contextualization of the Gospel among the Showa Oromo of Ethiopia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/337354
