Andrews University Digital Commons @ Andrews University Dissertation Projects DMin Graduate Research 2005 Presenting The Gospel Message In Thailand Khamsay Phetchareun Andrews University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin Part of the Practical Theology Commons Recommended Citation Phetchareun, Khamsay, "Presenting The Gospel Message In Thailand" (2005). Dissertation Projects DMin. 391. https://digitalcommons.andrews.edu/dmin/391 This Project Report is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Research at Digital Commons @ Andrews University. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertation Projects DMin by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons @ Andrews University. For more information, please contact [email protected]. ABSTRACT PRESENTING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IN THAILAND by Khamsay Phetchareun Advisers: Rudi Maier, Bruce L. Bauer ABSTRACT OF GRADUATE STUDENT RESEARCH Dissertation Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary Title: PRESENTING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IN THAILAND Name of researcher: Khamsay Phetchareun Name and degree of faculty advisers: Rudi Maier, Ph.D.; Bruce L. Bauer, D.Miss. Date completed: June 2005 Problem There are over 62,000,000 Buddhists in Thailand. Current Christian approaches to presenting the gospel message to Buddhist people in Thailand have not yielded satisfactory results. The Seventh-day Adventist Church has had negative growth during the past ten years. In addition to approaches currently utilized by Christians there is a need to develop more effective approaches to present the gospel in Thailand. Method Buddhist students at Mission College were chosen as a case study. A survey of Buddhist attitudes and a cultural analysis of Thailand form the basis for this strategy. Library research, questionnaires, interviews, and observations were all used to help develop a new approach. This strategy is being field-tested and results have been produced. Results A strategy was developed to field-test a new “relational-contextual” approach. Partial implementation has been made and early results were promising, with the number of baptisms increasing. If proven to be effective, this approach will help the Adventist Church in Thailand to improve their results in reaching Buddhist people. Conclusion A relational-contextual approach to presenting the gospel to Buddhist people in Thailand will increase the effectiveness of the ministries of the Adventist Church. More Buddhists will find the Savior and enjoy personal relationships with Him. Buddhists will no longer find the Christian message too difficult to understand and their attitudes towards Christianity will be positive. Those who have become Adventists will have meaningful worship experiences. Andrews University Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary PRESENTING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IN THAILAND A Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Ministry by Khamsay Phetchareun June 2005 PRESENTING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE IN THAILAND A dissertation presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Ministry by Khamsay Phetchareun APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE: Adviser, Rudi Maier X./ /&LuJ?A y Advisor, Bruce L. Bauer G ump. 3%s <30OS~ Date approved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ........................................................................ vii LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................ vii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS........................................................................................... viii Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1 Problem ................................................................................................ 1 Justification ........................................................................................... 2 Purpose ..................................... 4 Significance............................................................................................... 4 Basic Assumptions ........................................................................... 4 Limitations ........................................................................................... 5 Definitions........................................................................................... 5 Methodology ........................................................................................ 6 Outline .................. 7 II. PERSONAL THEOLOGY AND SPIRITUAL FOUNDATION ................ 8 Personal Journey ................................................................................... 8 In Laos ...................................................................................... .. 8 In Foreign L a n d s................................................ 10 Spiriutal Journey ........................................................................ 12 As Buddhist................................................................................... 12 As Christian................................................................................... 17 Personality and Spiritual G ifts ............................................................. 19 Temperament .............................................................................. 19 Spiritual Gifts .............................................................................. 20 Leadership/Interaction Styles .................................. 21 Present Ministry ................................................................................ 22 Current Ministry ........................................................................... 22 Vision ........................................................................................... 23 Theological Understanding of M inistry.............................................. 26 Humans Conditions..................................... 27 Humans Need Help ................................................................ 28 Great Commission ................................................................ 28 God's M ission ................................................................................ 30 Through His Word ................................................................ 30 iii Through His S o n ...................................................................... 31 Theological Understanding of the Church ........................................ 34 Body of Christ .............................................................................. 36 Temple of Holy Spirit ................... ............................................. 37 God's Kingdom on Earth .......................... .................................. 38 God's True Church ...................................................................... 39 Church Mission . ............. .................................................. 41 Service ................................................................................... 41 Preaching................................................................................ 42 Education................................................................................ 42 H e a lth ..................................................................................... 43 Closing Remarks ................................................................................ 44 III. HISTORICAL, POLITICAL, SOCIAL, AND RELIGIOUS ANALYSIS ........................................................................ 46 History .................................................. 46 Political Situation................................................................................ 52 Social Conditions................................................................................ 57 Education ...................................................................................... 57 Economic ...................................................................................... 61 Economy and Poverty.............................................................. 61 Poorest of the Poor ........................... ..................................... 63 Poverty and its Impact on Society ........................................... 66 Poverty and Prostitution ........................................................ 69 Corruption...................................................................................... 70 Money ..................... 72 Drugs ........................................................................................ 72 C rim es...................................................................................... 74 Ithtipol Mued (Dark Influences).............................................. 75 Health ............. 76 A New Universal Healthcare Scheme ................................... 76 Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) ................ 80 Religious Factors ............................. 82 Buddhist Influence in Thai Society ...................................... 82 Buddhist Revival ................................................................... 87 Adventism in Thailand ........................................................... 92 Closing Remarks ................................................................................ 97 IV. PRESENTING THE GOSPEL IN THAILAND .................................... 100 Overview ............................................................................................ 100 Traditional Approaches