A lecture titled "Contextual Paradox: Non-Essentialist Identity, Divine Encounter, and the Dangers of Theological Contextuality" was given in Hong Kong to explore the complexities of theological contextualization and identity formation.
Rev. Dr. Daniel D. Lee, academic dean of the Center for Asian American Theology and associate professor of Theology and Asian American Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary, delivered the first lecture of the "Cross-cultural - Josephine So Culture and Ethics Lecture" series on January 23.
Hosted by the Chinese Graduate School of Theology (CGST) as part of its 50th-anniversary celebration, the lecture series took place on January 23-24. Sponsored by the Josephine Fund, it aimed to engage scholars and church leaders in discussions on Christianity's contextualization, the reconstruction of Chinese culture, and ethics, raising awareness among Chinese believers. This year’s theme, "Cultural Crossroads: Navigating the Dynamics of Intercultural Interactions," provided a framework for these thought-provoking discussions.
In his lecture, Rev. Dr. Lee delved into the challenges of defining context and identity, opposing the oversimplification of identity into essentialism and stereotypes. Drawing from his experience as the founder of the Asian American Center at Fuller Theological Seminary, he emphasized the complexity and diversity within Asian American identity. Rev. Dr. Lee argued that identity is a dynamic concept that should not be reduced to simple categories, as it is influenced by various factors such as cultural heritage, migration experiences, and racial trauma.
Rev. Dr. Lee critiqued the term "contextual theology," asserting that it is often used to marginalize non-Western theologies. Instead, he advocated for a more inclusive approach, contending that all theology is inherently contextual and should be explicitly recognized as such. He emphasized the need to avoid essentialism and embrace a more dynamic and inclusive approach to theological contextualization, highlighting the importance of developing a broad vocabulary to express the diverse experiences within the Asian American community.
Probing into the theological basis of contextualization, Rev. Dr. Lee argued that it is rooted in the very nature of God. He challenged the common metaphor of the gospel as a seed that is contextualized in different cultures, proposing instead a covenantal understanding where God interacts with specific groups in specific contexts. This perspective underscores God's attention to individual particularity.
While acknowledging the dangers of contextual engagement, such as ideological takeover and corruption, Rev. Dr. Lee maintained that there is no choice but to critically engage with contextualization. He stressed the importance of approaching contextualization with humility and continuous reforming in dialogue with God.
In conclusion, Rev. Dr. Lee emphasized the importance of engaging with contextualization in a way that is faithful to the gospel and respectful of diverse experiences. He encouraged the audience to think critically about their own contexts and how they can be more inclusive and dynamic in their theological reflections.
In response, Dr. Daniel Lee, CGST Eleanor and Wayne Chiu Professor, commended the lecture's comprehensive approach, which skillfully integrated Reformed theological foundations with insights from trauma studies, cultural anthropology, and post-colonial critique.
While acknowledging his limited direct exposure to North American contexts, the respondent emphasized that meaningful theological exploration could transcend cultural boundaries, as demonstrated by how contemporary Asian American theology can find resonance with medieval German theological thought. This observation led to a deeper discussion of contextual theology's application to Hong Kong's unique situation.
In examining Hong Kong's context, Dr. Daniel Lee identified several key dimensions: the complex layers of Asian heritage shaped by colonial and post-colonial influences; the recent social changes and collective experiences of loss; and the evolving cultural dynamics with mainland China, particularly regarding the Greater Bay Area integration. He also addressed the ongoing process of national identity formation and its implications for the local Christian community.
The response concluded by exploring the significant parallel between Hong Kong's current situation and historical Jewish-Christian interactions, particularly regarding the relationship between local and diaspora communities.
The following Q&A session explored practical challenges in cross-cultural ministry. Rev. Dr. Lee shared how his experience teaching at seminaries revealed specific cultural barriers. For instance, when discussing Martin Luther's concept of justification by faith, he found that Asian American students often interpreted it through their cultural lens of shame and honor, rather than the Western framework of guilt and innocence.
In U.K. churches, rapid demographic changes have forced practical adaptations. A panelist described how one London congregation had to completely restructure their support systems when hundreds of Hong Kong families arrived. While British church members typically sought pastoral care through scheduled appointments, Hong Kong families expected immediate community support during crises, leading the church to develop a hybrid system of WhatsApp groups and formal counseling services.
Rev. Dr. Lee also drew from his pastoral experience with second-generation Asian Americans. When counseling young professionals struggling with career choices, he found they often faced unique pressures - caught between American individualistic career aspirations and family expectations of financial support for elderly parents. His approach involved helping them reframe these cultural tensions through theological understanding rather than seeing them as conflicts to be resolved.
The session concluded with Rev. Dr. Lee addressing current challenges in American churches, pointing to examples like the growing multiethnic congregations in California. "In Silicon Valley," he noted, "we're seeing churches where Indian tech workers, Chinese immigrants, and third-generation Korean Americans worship together. This isn't just about adding different languages to the service - it's about understanding how each group conceptualizes worship, community, and spiritual growth differently."
