Contextualization of the Christian Gospel in Kenya: A Case of Tharaka Community

Abstract

It is indisputable that the success of Christian mission lies in the ability to make the gospel of Jesus Christ incarnate in every culture where it is preached. The early church was aware of this fact and used this approach to spread the gospel in the Roman Empire. However, those who introduced Christianity in its present form in Africa, and indeed in Tharaka, were by and large indifferent to the African culture and hence condemned it. While there is a growing outcry to take cognizance of the culture in which the gospel is being preached to, exactly how this should be done is an ongoing debate. This paper recognizes that contextualization of the gospel at the surface level is an ongoing process; there is need for critical contextualization at the theological level to make the gospel relevant. The significance of critical contextualization of the gospel in Tharaka so that it becomes relevant to the Tharaka people is discussed.

Keywords: Kenya; Tharaka Community; Contextualization, Christian Gospel