Dynamics in the process of contextualization facilitated by a West-European researcher: Contextualizing the OT notion of ‘sin’ in the cultural context of the Kongo people in Brazzaville Sabine Müri OCMS, Ph.D. ABSTRACT In order to be relevant, all theology must relate to context. This study is an example of the complexities encountered in the actual practice of contextualization. I apply and evaluate theoretical tools, and give explicit account of the practicalities and tensions arising in the process that I initiated as a cultural outsider. The research is conducted with reflexivity by which I uncover hidden assumptions that influenced the contextualization process and my interpretation of the collected data. I examine the notion of ‘sin’ in the Kongo culture and evaluate it through the lens of the OT understanding of ‘sin’. The project was undertaken with participation groups in Brazzaville and revealed that in the Kongo context, the place of the kanda (community) was a key element, while Nzambi (God) was strikingly absent from the discussion of ‘sin’. The main conclusions I draw from this practical theology research are twofold. 1) Regarding contextualization: In academic research theological and social studies are often divided into two different fields. The project reveals that the theological and the social disciplines are intrinsically connected which requires contextualization to be an interdisciplinary undertaking. Critical self-reflexivity regarding the cultural background of the researcher and the role she takes in the process is equally important as giving the cultural insiders a voice; contextualization is most fruitful when it is done by cultural insiders and outsiders together. 2) Regarding the understanding of ‘sin’: In the Kongo context, ‘sin’ is understood as any act that breaks the harmony of the community, allowing any kind of evil to enter it. This understanding needs to be transformed by the biblical view of ‘sin’ as always being committed before God, the creator of the world and the one to whom all human beings owe their life. The rich imagery for ‘sin’ in the OT cannot be captured by the one Kongo word disumu; a wider vocabulary must be developed. Dynamics in the process of contextualization facilitated by a West-European researcher: Contextualizing the OT notion of ‘sin’ in the cultural context of the Kongo people in Brazzaville By Sabine Müri M.A. (European School of Culture and Theology, Korntal, Germany/ Columbia International University, South Carolina, USA) Theology Main Supervisor: Keith Ferdinando Second Supervisor: Thomas Harvey Third Supervisor: Harriet Mowat House Tutor: Bernard Farr A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy In the University of Middlesex, London July, 2016 Oxford Centre for Mission Studies DECLARATION This work has not previously been accepted in substance for any degree and is not being concurrently submitted in candidature for any degree. Signed (Candidate) Date 4 July 2016 STATEMENT 1 This thesis is the result of my own investigations, except where otherwise stated. Where correction services have been used, the extent and nature of the correction is clearly marked in a footnote. Other sources are acknowledged by midnotes or footnotes giving explicit references. A bibliography is appended. Signed (Candidate) Date 4 July 2016 STATEMENT 2 I hereby give consent for my thesis, if approved, to be available for photocopying by the British Library and for Inter-Library Loan, for open access to the Electronic Theses Online Service (EthoS) linked to the British Library, and for the title and summary to be made available to outside organizations. Signed (Candidate) Date 4 July 2016 Dedication I dedicate this thesis to my late mother Lilly Müri-Merz who instilled in me early in my life a love for God and who taught me the first steps of trusting him, seeking his guidance and assistance in all my human daily affairs. i ii Acknowledgment Firstly, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my supervisors whose input and encouragement enabled me to make this thesis what it is: to Dr Keith Ferdinando for his guidance and support of my PhD studies, for his patience and continued advice; to Dr Thomas Harvey for his help and guidance in the process of the research; to Dr Harriet Mowat for her valuable input in the last stages before completion. I am indebted to Dr Mamy Raharimanantsoa and Dr Serge Locko who provided the opportunity to teach at the FTPB and to work with the class as the most important research focus group. I am deeply indebted to the participants in the focus groups and the interviewees who willingly gave of their time to talk with me about their culture and insights. This dissertation would not have been possible without the continued financial support and patience by my donors throughout the many years of my research. I thankfully acknowledge the initial financial support by the SIL International Kenneth Pike Endowment Fund. My sincere thanks also goes to my employer, the Wycliffe Bible Translators / SIL-Congo who generously let me use working hours for conducting the field-study in Brazzaville. My gratitude extends to Patricia and Jonathan Brown who proof read my work with great patience and care, and to Heinz Wunderli who put my graphic ideas down to paper. A special thank-you goes to Carmen Crouse who first encouraged me to start doctoral studies. Finally, I would like to thank my dear friend Ruth Julian for her continued encouragement, accompanying me in times of difficulty and illness that threatened to end my research prematurely, but also in times of joy and laughter. iii iv TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Tables ....................................................................................................................... xiii List of Figures ...................................................................................................................... xv Abbreviations ..................................................................................................................... xvii Referencing System ............................................................................................................. xix Setting the scene – a story from the grassroots: March 2012 ............................................... 1 1. Introduction ....................................................................................................................... 5 1.1 Background ................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Research problem.......................................................................................................... 7 1.2.1 Leading questions for data collection ................................................................... 9 1.2.2 Contribution to knowledge ................................................................................. 10 1.3 Limitations .................................................................................................................. 12 1.4 Outline of the thesis .................................................................................................... 13 1.5 Key definitions............................................................................................................ 14 1.5.1 Contextualization ............................................................................................... 15 1.5.2 ‘Sin’ ................................................................................................................... 16 1.5.3 Congo and the Kongo people ............................................................................. 18 1.5.4 Culture and worldview ....................................................................................... 23 1.5.5 Scripture ............................................................................................................ 26 1.6 Conclusion .................................................................................................................. 28 2. Critical theoretical issues and literature review ............................................................. 31 2.1 Issues and literature regarding the characteristics of practical theology........................ 31 2.1.1 Historical background ........................................................................................ 32 2.1.1.1 History of practical theology .................................................................. 32 2.1.1.2 History of action research ....................................................................... 35 2.1.2 Correlation of theory and practice ...................................................................... 36 2.1.3 Participation and collaboration ........................................................................... 41 2.1.4 Reflexivity ......................................................................................................... 42 2.1.5 Research cycles .................................................................................................. 44 2.2 Literature on contextualization .................................................................................... 46 2.3 Literature on ‘sin’ in the African context ..................................................................... 48 2.4 Literature on Kongo culture and ‘sin’ .......................................................................... 51 2.5 Conclusion .................................................................................................................