from January 1, 2012 prayer update

Below is Christianity Today’s list of the top 10 religious stories in 2011.

1. Rob Bell tries to legitimize universalism, prompting huge backlash. He later announces he's leaving Mars Hill Bible Church to work in TV.
2. States adopt 80 abortion restrictions in their 2011 legislative sessions, an all-time high (the previous record was 34).
3. Mideast Christians conflicted about the Arab Spring, especially as anti-Christian violence follows Mubarak ouster in Egypt.
4. John Stott, evangelical statesman, pastor, and builder of the global church, dies at 90.
5. Beijing's Shouwang Church holds outdoor services for more than six months, enduring mass arrests as it leads China's booming house churches in unprecedented demands for religious freedom.
6. HarperCollins, which already owns Zondervan, buys Thomas Nelson; it now has about 50 percent of the Christian book market.
7. How best to translate "Son of God" in Bibles for the Muslim world becomes a flashpoint, prompting Wycliffe to clarify standards and missionaries to pledge more civility.
8. Tim Tebow's prominent display of faith becomes one of the sports world's major talking points.
9. Largely Christian South Sudan votes for independence; persecution ensues for Christians in the Nuba Mountains and Khartoum.
10. The PC(USA) votes to allow noncelibate gay pastors, prompting defections from presbyteries. (Meanwhile, the United Methodists hold the line on same-sex unions amid a planned clergy revolt.)
Story #7 is one with great relevance in missions circles. It regards the tension between contextualization and syncretism. Where should the line be drawn?

On one hand we have Paul’s statement in I Corinthians 9:22b, “I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.” One of many passages that illustrates the importance of contextualizing evangelism and church planting. Contextualization seeks to make the gospel as clear, winsome, and culturally relevant as possible. Tailoring it to the audience.

On the other hand is Paul’s statement in Galatians 1:8, “But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!” One of many passages that illustrate the importance of avoiding syncretism and preserving the purity of the gospel message. Syncretism is mixing Christianity with something else -- animism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Marxism, materialism, New Age mysticism, secular humanism, the American dream, veneration of Mary, or anything else.

Sadly this tension, which is a healthy tension for any local church and any missions sending agency to grapple with, has become a highly divisive issue in the Church. Those on both extremes are often at odds with one another.

The “insider movement” in the Muslim world has become the epicenter of this tension. It has become such an important issue for many, that Pioneers has developed a formal statement of their position.

Regardless of where we may personally draw the line regarding this important tension, my hope is that we can embrace Paul’s statement in Philippians 1:18, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”