Although Jesus was born in the western part of Asia it was not until 1500 later that Asia experienced the full impact of Jesus? person and teaching. Western missionaries, the primary transmitters of Christianity, left behind a Western understanding of Jesus. Today, Asians are seeking the face of the original Jesus?his Asian face. For them, all understandings of Jesus arise out of particular contextual needs. Enriching the Western understanding of Jesus they employ new interpretive resources and their own cultural symbols and thought patterns as they meet Jesus anew and make sense of his message for their own time and place.
R.S. Sugirtharajah, a Sri Lankan theologian and lecturer, is Professor of Biblical Hermeneutics at the University of Birmingham, England. Prior to his current appointment, he was Senior Lecturer in Third World Theologies at Selly Oak Colleges, Birmingham.
Earth Shattering. It took me a long time to chew through it- definitely not a hard read. But the depth of each essay, the style of writing the theologians employ…though written in the 70s it feels as though it describes 21st century Singapore in the wake of Evangelical revivals and mega churches. Look for the Lord while He may be found. He is found in the eyes of all who behold him. This means Christologies must shift. But the one that acknowledges their suffering with the Christ’s is the one that is raised with Him. And Asian is very much alive again. While some still sleep and yet to be called forth.