Contextualization and Biblical Authority
A Discussion Focused on Swedish Perspectives on Same-Sex Relationships
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.58412/hyb.v3i3.46831Keywords:
contextualization, Lausanne Covenant, Lausanne movement, same-sex relations, Jeannine K. BrownAbstract
The article examines the tension between contextualization and fidelity to Scripture in light of evangelical theology’s high view of biblical authority. Drawing on the Lausanne Covenant and its emphasis on both the normative authority of the Bible and cultural responsiveness, it analyzes two recent Swedish examples of the contextualization of biblical texts concerning same-sex relationships: Joel Halldorf’s chapter in En enda kropp and Interact's report Helighet och barmhärtighet. The study demonstrates that both cases risk weakening the authority of Scripture by over accommodating the biblical message to contemporary cultural and ideological preferences. The article argues for a form of contextualization that is both critically engaged and theologically grounded, in which the purpose of Scripture and the coherence of the text remain central. Drawing on the work of Jeannine K. Brown, it proposes principles for an evangelical contextualization that avoids syncretism, preserves the normative role of Scripture, and enables a faithful and relevant application of the gospel within today’s cultural setting.
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