Theology on the Way: Hermeneutics from and for the Frontline

The title, “Theology on the Way,” denotes the authors’ beliefs and views that the Bible is a book that constantly reveals God’s knowledge, character, truth, principles, methods, and redemptive power—and these are to be understood, interpreted, lived out, and applied on the frontline of mission for the salvation of humanity. When the gospel crosses cultural boundaries it creates a unique set of challenging questions that are relevant to the wider discussion of hermeneutics for students of the Word of God. Taking a sample test case from the Indian setting may help in framing the discussion this article is meant to foster on the interplay of hermeneutics, theology, and mission. This interplay is a reality when praxis (mission) and hermeneutics inform theory (theology), and also when theology (the knowledge of God) and biblical hermeneutics inform mission actions (praxis). As the Gospel entered into a new setting within a particular Indian village, those receiving the witness were primarily from a Hindu background. It was then that, the gospel began interacting with both the presenters of the gospel and the Word of God in a very dynamic way. The presuppositions and cultural background of an Indian are very different from that of a North American. This created tensions in how God was approached and understood, both through the Bible and experiences. Often times the North American would emphasize certain portions of Scripture or certain interpretations of Scripture that the Indian did not relate to. On the flip side the Indians often found other portions of Scripture and alternative interpretations more relevant and meaningful. An example of this was a study on the Sabbath. When the Sabbath was presented from the Ten Commandment viewpoint with reference to creation as proof, it lacked meaning in the Indian context. But as some of the