A CRITIQUE OF CHARLES KRAFTS

A CRITIQUE OF CHARLES KRAFTS

USE/MISUSE OF COMMUNICATION AND
SOCIAL SCIENCES IN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION AND MISSIOLOGICAL
FORMULATION

Enoch Wan
Chair, Division of Intercultural Studies and Director, Doctor of Missiology Program, Western
Seminary, Portland, Oregon, USA

Published in Global Missiology, Research Methodology, October 2004, www.globalmissiology.net

INTRODUCTION

This paper is written with a single purpose of providing a critique by answering the question whether Dr. Charles Kraft has used/misused the communication and social sciences in his biblical interpretation and missiological formulation.

METHODOLOGY

The generous cooperation of Dr. Kraft of Fuller Theological Seminary, in the provision of an updated comprehensive listing (see Appendix I for a sample of selected titles) of his published works, is gratefully acknowledged. His commitment and contribution to academic scholarship, missiological formulation, interdisciplinary integration, etc. are much appreciated by many. In the last thirty some years, Dr. Kraft has written more than two dozen books (in areas ranging from linguistics, communication, missiology, to deliverance ministries, etc. with translations in Chinese, Korean, and German), and more than 120 articles, editorials and chapters in books.

From the list of Dr. Kraft’s publications, it is obvious that there are three major foci traceable chronologically to his personal interest and professional development. From 1963-1973, he published seven volumes on Hausa, a Nigerian language. Beginning in article format in the early 1970s, his focus of research moved from linguistics/Bible translation to interdisciplinary integration of linguistics, hermeneutics, behavioral/social and communication sciences, etc., resulting in the publication of the influential and controversial book Christianity in Culture (1979a). (In the same year, two other books were published, Readings in Dynamic Indigeneity and Communicating the Gospel God’s Way.) Since his exposure from 1982-1983 to demonology and deliverance ministries, by way of John Wimber’s “Signs and Wonders” class at Fuller (Kraft 1987:122, 1989:6, 62) and his sub-sequent (or second, cf. Kraft 1979a:6-12 being his first) “paradigm shift” in 1984, his publications began to shift (“practice shift,” 1987:127) towards that aspect of Christian ministries as marked by the publication of several titles of this nature: Christianity with Power (1989), Defeating Dark Angels (1992), Deep Wounds, Deep Healing

and Behind Enemy Lines (both in 1994).

Of all the publications by Dr. Kraft, three books—i.e. Christianity in Culture (1979a), Communication Theory for Christian Witness (1983) and Christianity with Power (1989)— and

several articles (see Appendix I) will be included as the most relevant and representative of his use/misuse of the communication and social sciences in his biblical interpretation and missiological formulation.

DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS

Bible: The inspired truth of the sixty-six canonical books.

Biblical Hermeneutics: The principles and procedures by which the interpreter determines the meaning of the Holy Scripture within the proper contexts.

Culture: The context/consequence of patterned interaction of personal Beings/beings, in contrast to popular usage of culture applying to the presumed closed system of homo sapiens. This definition of culture can freely be applied or referred to angelic (fallen or good) beings of the angel-culture and the dynamic interaction of the Three Persons of the Triune God in theo-culture (Wan 1982b).

Ethno hermeneutics: The principles and procedures by which the interpreter determines the meaning of the Holy Scripture, inspired by the Primary Author (Triune God within theo-culture) and inscripturated through the secondary authors (human agents of varied historico-culturolinguistic contexts of homino-culture) for the recipients (of varied historico-culturo linguistic contexts) (Wan 1994).

Inspiration: The divine way of revealing biblical truth (the Bible) to humankind.

Interpretation: The human way of reducing distance and removing difference to ascertain the meaning of the text at hand (Berkhof 1969:11).

Linguistic and Communication Sciences: Includes the study of descriptive linguistics, applied linguistics, proxemic and kinesic communication, etc.

Missiological Formulation: The formation and development of theory/methodology/strategy for the sake of mission (the divine Great Commission) and missions (the human ways and means to fulfill the mission).

Social sciences: Includes disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, psychology, etc. and the term is used interchangeably with behavioral sciences in this study.

Scriptural: That which is taught by the Bible and is prescriptive, principal and transcultural / eternal in nature as compared to being “biblical” — that which is found in the Bible and is of descriptive, precedent and cultural / temporal in nature (Wan 1994).

KRAFT’S USE OF COMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES AS A CONTRIBUTION TO INTER-DISCIPLINARY INTEGRATION

With the advancement of modern scholarship comes the necessity of division of labor for the sake of specialization and the reality of the compartmentalization of knowledge and disciplines. In addition to the challenge of interdisciplinary integration, Christian scholars have to take up the challenge of integrating their Christian faith with their efforts of interdisciplinary integration without injuring the integrity of either Christian faith (dogmatics; cf. warnings by David Hubbard, Kraft 1977:170; and Robert McQuilkin, 1977), academic disciplines (academics) or practical application (pragmatics).

For decades, evangelical Christians, like Charles Kraft in Christianity in Culture: A Study in Dynamic Biblical Theologizing in Cross-Cultural Perspective (1979a), have successfully strived for multi-disciplinary integration, covering a multitude of subject matters. Of those, like Kraft, who have received similar professional training and with similar ministry experiences, have tried to bridge similar disciplines and covering similar topics, there are many, e.g. Eugene Mida Kenneth Pike, Alan Tippett. William Wonderly, Linwood Barney, James O. Buswen, III, David Hesselgrave, Paul Hiebert, etc.

However, Kraft's book (1979a) is unique in terms of the combination of the following characteristics: conceptually coherent/consistent with simplicity (some reviewers like Carl Henry and Edward Gross may disagree on this point; yet it can be demonstrated as shown in Figures I and 2 below), ”well -documented and carefully organized" (Henry 1980:153), thought provoking (Adeney 1980:24), “creative...challenging. Impressive...admirable” (Saayman 1981:89 -90), innovative in theoretical formulation, illustrative in field experience, practical in illustrations, comprehensive in coverage, etc.

I have come a long way (cf. previous review, Wan 1982a) and it has been a long time in coming to have a greater appreciation of this volume: in the formats of pre-publication mimeograph and later in published book form (as key reference or textbook) for a period of about twenty years in teaching ministries, testing it out in three continents. Even this semester, I am using it as a text for my ethno-hermeneutics class in the doctoral class at the Reformed Theological Seminary. I share the assessment of reviewer Robert L. Ramseyer:

. . . a truly monumental attempt to show what cultural anthropology can do for our understanding of Christian faith and mission. As the most complete work in the field, Christianity in Culture is also the best example of the way in which our understanding of culture and the cultural process affects our understanding of Christian faith and life . . . especially helpful in this respect because the author is not afraid to follow his anthropological presuppositions to their obvious theological and missiological conclusions. Where his predecessors were content to merely suggest, Kraft spells out in detail the logical conclusions of consistently acting on his understanding of society and culture . . . I felt strongly that this was at the same time both the best book and the worst

book that I had read on this subject. I still feel that way (Ramseyer 1983:110, 115) (emphasis mine).

It is in the spirit of appreciation, at the invitation of Dr. Kraft's risk taking, continuous searching, “open -minded development ... dynamic and growing ... you are free to disagree ... are encouraged to join me in the quest for greater insight” (Kraft 1979a:xiii.l2, 41; 1987b:139), within the context of friendly and frank discussion ("genuine dialog,” Kraft 1987b:139) that the following comments are offered.

FIGURE 1- THE BASICS OF KRAFTS (1979a) MODEL

CATEGORY

GENERAL PATTERN

KRAFTS PREFERRED PATTERN

LANGUAGE (LINGUISTICS)

sound, word, sentence, paragraph, etc.

-(phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, etc.)

-variable in forms, (chapter)

-efficient / impactful in function,

-constant in meaning

(4-7)

GOSPEL (EVANGELISM)

-the goad news of salvation

-(multiple approaches: prepositional, personal, presence, persuasion. program, power-encounter, etc.)

-meet the felt-need of receptor

-(various receptor-oriented means leading to the communication of the good news)

(8-12)

BIBLE

(TRANSLATION)

-in different languages for different people-groups

-(formal-correspondence, dynamic-equivalence, etc.)

-choice of receptor-oriented types of translation of the Bible

-(dynamic-equivalence principle)

(13-17)

NOTE: ( ) chapter numbering of Kraft’s Christianity in Culture. (1979a)

FIGURE 2- KRAFT'S INTER-DISCIPLINARY INTEGRATION

SOURCE / CATEGORY	EUGENE NIDA (K. PIKE, etc.)				[NEO-ORTHODOXY and NEW HERMENEUTIC]
DISCIPLINE	COMMUNICATION and SOCIAL SCIENCES				[PHILOSOPHICAL and PRACTICAL THEOLOGY]
	linguistic and communication sciences		social/beh. sciences		[existential theology, Bible translation, hermeneutics]		[practical theology, missiology]
	Transform- ational grammar; and functional linguistics	communication theory and Bible translation	functional -ism, conceptual model and Christian model(2,3)		[relational theology] (6)	[revelation and hermeneutics] (10-11)	evangelism	discipleship and church planting
BASIC IDEA	form, function, meaning (4,5)	three aspects: sender-message -receptor; communication with efficiency(8)	human commona-lity and world view (5)		In-- carnation (9) ethno- theology (7)]	[receptor-oriented understanding (12- 13);ethno linguistic interpretation.(7)]	“be all...to all...by all means" (lCor. 9) (cf.p.103,123, 128,142,154,197, 230,300,400)	[contextualization, transforming culture with God] (18,19)
KEY TERM	dynamic-equivalence (DE) / receptor-oriented (RO)
	RO-principle / DE-principle	RO-communication and DE-translation		[DE- Transcultura -tion (14)]	[DE- theologizing (15)]	[RO-revelation (9) DE-translation of the inspired Casebook (13)]	IDE-conversion of (17) and DE- transculturation of the message (14)]	DE-churchness (16)

NOTE: 1) ( ) chapter numbering in Christianity in Culture. (Kraft 1979a); 2) concepts and terms in [] are logical derivations of Krafts consistent/coherent theoretical model; leaning towards theological deviation on Kraft’s part from the evangelical position as represented by "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Hermeneutics” (Geisler 1978).

KRAFT’S USE / MISUSE OF THECOMMUNICATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES IN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION AND MISSIOLOGICAL FORMULATION

Evangelical response to Kraft's ethno theological model of integrating communication and social sciences with theology varied from positive (Buswell 1986, Saayman 1981), mixed (Adeney 1980, Conn 1984, Hesselgrave 1992) to negative (Carson 1987 and 1993, Dryness 1980, Gross 1985, Heldenbrand 1982 and 1985, Henry 1980, Krass 1979, McQuilkin 1977, Scaer 1982, Wan 1982a). Two books have been published in response to Kraft's Christianity in Culture, i.e. Edward N. Gross's Is Charles Kraft An Evangelical? A Critique of Christianity in Culture (1985) of 100-plus pages and Harvie M. Conn's Eternal Word and Changing World (1984) of 300- plus pages which was reviewed by Buswell (1986:71) who stated that "in many respects this

work might be considered an extended . . . commentary on missionary anthropologist Charles Kraft's position developed mainly in his Christianity in Culture" (cf. Conn's own admission,1984:330). Conn's review by far was the most fair and extensive appraisal of Kraft's model.

The following discussion is organized in the format of answers to four questions:

1) Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his attempt of interdisciplinary integration? -- NO.

2) Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his biblical interpretation and missiological formulation in light of his theoretical and methodological root being a linguist/communicologist? -- NO.

3) Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his biblical interpretation from an evangelical perspective:

-based on "The Willowbank Report" ? -- NO

-based on "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy"? -- YES

4) Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his missiological formulation from an evangelical perspective:

-based on "The Willowbank Report"? -- NO

-based on "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy"? -- YES

Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his attempt of interdisciplinary integration? -- NO.

Kraft had been repeatedly commended for his insightful discussion on linguistic application to Bible translation (Adeney 1980, Conn 1984, Saayman 1981, Hesselgrave 1992, Ramseyer 1983) yet his critics faulted him either for his bad choice of an anthropological theory called "functionalism" (Conn 1984, Remseyer 1983, Scaer 1982, Wan 1982a) or his non-evangelical theology in terms of "truth," "revelation," and "hermeneutics" (Carson 1987 and 1993, Conn 1978, Dryness 1980, Gross 1985, Heldenbrand 1982 and 1985, Henry 1980, Krass 1979, McQuilkin 1977 and 1980, Ramseyer 1983, Wan 1982a).

A careful study of Kraft's published works will show that his critics have misunderstood him very badly. In his writings, especially Christianity in Culture, he appears to be an anthropologist of the "functional" school and a theologian of "neo-orthodox" and "new hermeneutic" persuasion. He uses freely the terms and concepts of anthropological functionalism (e.g. "culture is an integrated system," "form and function," "equilibrium," "felt-need," "functional substitute," "efficiency," "impact," etc.); yet he never claims to be a "functionalist anthropologist." He employs with liberty the terms and concepts of scholars of "neo-orthodox" and "new hermeneutic" tradition (e.g. "continuous revelatory interaction between God and man," "revelation as a receptor-oriented communication," "the Bible as a case book of God's continuous dynamic interaction with man," "inspiration is an ongoing dynamic process of God's communication," etc.); he never identifies himself as a theologian. He is a linguist / communicologist by self-profession (Kraft 1977:165; 1987:133; 1983) and by practice par excellence.

For instance, it is generally assumed by Kraft's theoretical friends (Buswell 1986, Conn 1984, Saayman 1981) and foes (Dyrness 1980, Helderbrand 1985, Ramseyer 1983, Wan 1982a) that his model of ethno-theology (Kraft 1979a) is based on his choice of functionalist anthropological theory (e.g. Conn 1984: chapter 3), traceable to the British (Malinowski, Radcliffe-Brown, etc.) and American (Franz Boas, Talcott Parsons, Robert Merton, etc.) traditions (cf. Buswell 1980, Hatch 1973, Harris 1968). This assumption of his personal choice of anthropological `functionalism” is not warranted by facts, i.e. h is training, profession, publication and performance.

A diachronic analysis of the formation and development of Kraft’s ethno -theological model began in linguistics / communication sciences (Wan 1982a) and remains consistently as a communication model (Dyrness 1980:40). He began as a linguist by training (linguistics at Hartford Seminary Foundation), by research and profession (as a Linguist / translator in the Hausa language of Nigeria), by publications (on Hausa: seven volumes between 1965-1973, thirteen articles between 1965-1976). Though not a member of the Summer Institute of Linguistics (`SIL” except in 1961 -63, see Kraft 1987:133), he followed closely and `built upon” (Conn 1984:154-159) the foundation of SIL/ABS (`American Bible Society,”) transla tors / linguists such as E. A. Nida, K. Pike, W. A. Smalley, W. D. Reyburn, J. A. Lowen, W. Wonderly, etc. (Conn 1984:154-159; Heldenbrand 1985:42).

It was not until Kraft’s realization that his linguistic techniques and mono -cultural missionary training did not prepare and equip him to deal with cultural issues and contextualization problems (e.g. polygamy, spirits, Nigerian preference of the Old Testament to his beloved `Epistle to the Romans,” etc.), that he was led to move into applied anthropology in research, reflection, and publication (Kraft 1979a: chapter 1). His model of ethno-theology in Christianity in Culture is a cumulative combination of linguistics / communication research (e.g. S-M-R, emic/etic and surface / deep analysis, functional linguistic, transformational grammar, receptor-orientation and dynamic-equivalence translation / communication, etc.) applied to anthropology, theology, with a strong dose of American pragmatism (e.g. efficiency, impact, practical Throw-to,” `functional fit,” `f elt-need,” `receptor -orientation” for fruitful result, etc.). His ethno - theology has all the trappings of classical functionalism of European tradition, and modern

functionalism of contemporary American version in cultural anthropology. At heart he is a linguist / communicologist and is busy at work (Kraft 1976c, 1977a, 1978c, 1979b, 1981, 1983 etc., see Appendix I) with the preoccupation of being efficient and impactful pragmatically (Wan 1982a). His call for being “personal” and “relational” (Kraft 1979a , 1983) is for the purpose of “good communication for good result” (Kraft 1979b, 1979e), or “ensuring the best return on the missionary investment” (Saayman 1981:90), a rather pragmatic and programmatic motivation that is “biblical” like the recruitment pa ttern of the scribes and Pharisees of the biblical time (Mt 23:15); but not “scriptural” (i.e. in obedience to God and with compassion to and love for the recipients, Mt 9:35-38; 28:18-20; etc.)

Kraft has achieved what he planned to do in Christianity in Culture, i.e. develop a “cross -cultural Christian theology” by integrating “anthropology, linguistics, translation theory, and communication science on areas of life and thought that have ordinarily been regarded as theological” (1979a:13). Credit is due him for his successful interdisciplinary integration with clarity, coherence, convincing presentation, etc. and for his momentous accomplishment in theoretical formulation (Ramseyer 1983:110). Even one of his strongest critics (100-plus pages of negative remarks) complemented him on this volume as “one of the most important books yet printed dealing with the current contextualization debate” (Gross 1985:3).

Kraft’s model has been criticized by reviewer Ramseyer who said, “Christianity in Culture seems strangely unaware of confrontations and conflict in New Testament gospel sharing” (1983:112-1 13) on the basis of Kraft’s “naive attempt to apply insight from one particular kind of cultural anthropology (static functionalism) to the Christian mission (1983:115). Providentially, Kraft in 1984 experienced a “second paradigm shift” (cf. Kraft 1979a:6 -12 being his first) which gave him a “kingdom perspective” with a “warfare mentality” realizing the

reality of the spirit world. His “practice shift” (Kraft 1987:127) moving into the Christian deliverance ministries is theologically supported by his research and publication of several books: Christianity with Power (1989), Defeating Dark Angels (1992), Deep Wounds, Deep Healing and Behind Enemy Line (both in 1994) and many articles.

Kraft began his research and writing in linguistics from 1963-1973, followed by his intensive study on and integration of anthropology, communication, translation, interpretation and contextualization in the 1970s with the resultant publication of Christianity in Culture in 1979. He then shifted his focus to the spirit world from the 1980s to the present. This pilgrimage of inter-disciplinary integration is similar to the wilderness experience of the Israelites due to his conception and compartmentalization of reality, especially spiritual reality.

Kraft took the "cultural / supracultural and absolute / relative" presupposition (epistemological discussion here and theological critique later) from Nida with neither reservation nor modification (with reference to Nida in his 1979a "a total of 41 times," as observed by Conn, 1984:144). The weakness of Kraft's interdisciplinary approach lies in this faulty presupposition of reality (see Figure 3) in his theoretical formulation and the resultant research / ministry operation that took him many years of time and efforts moving from the lower level (of functional linguistics) to the higher level (of "integrated culture," incarnation, inscripturation, interpretation of Scripture, ethno-theology) to the middle level (of angels demons, deliverance ministries) as shown in the diagram below.

Perhaps this is the problem Ramseyer (1983: 114) is trying to identify which "is a characteristic of the Western intellectual tradition . . . but his is unable to see that his attempts to split reality into principles and behavior, meaning and form . . . are the sort of Western intellectualizing which he warns his readers against." The following quotation may illustrate this point of duality conception and its correlated compartmentalizing operation:

The dialectical logic of the Ameri-European culture can best be understood in light of lineal conception of time and monochronic time-management . . . The extensive use of the Aristotelian logic, especially the law of identity and the law of contradiction . . . leads to a deep-rooted perception of duality in reality and dialectical cognitive process in operation, It is axiomatic to categorize and classify everything in AE culture in terms of duality: e.g. ethically right or wrong, good or bad; cosmologically nature or culture, temporal or eternal, the city of God or city of man, heaven or hell; cultural or supracultural, absolute or relative; existentially compartmentalize life into public or private, profession or personal, departmentalize . . . soteriologically the sovereignty of God or the free will of man; christologically the divine nature or human nature in the

person of Christ, the historical Jesus or Christ of the kerygma (Wan 1982b, 1985); epistemologically true or false; aesthetically beautiful or ugly, etc. The list of duality can be easily multiplied (Wan 1995:15).

In this study, a new definition and concept of "culture" is proposed as an alternative that would not presuppose humanity as a "closed system" (Wan 1982b), compartmentalized from angelic beings and the Divine Being (the Three Persons of the Triune God). This new model of reality will enable evangelical Christians to develop a "symphonic integration" that is multi-disciplinary (not just a "trialogue" of anthropology, missiology and theology as proposed by Conn 1984), multi-contextual (Wan 1982b, 1994), multi-dimensional (Holmes 1983), and multi-perspectival (Conn 1984:335-337, Poythress 1987). (See Appendix II—A Symphonic Approach to Interdisciplinary Integration: A Vari-dynamic Model. This "vari-dynamic model" is to be "Trinitarian" in theology and epistemology, "incarnational" in anthropology and methodology,

"contextual-interactionist" in contextualization, multi-dimensional and interdisciplinary in demonology and deliverance ministries, family-focused in the practice of evangelism, discipleship, church planting, ethno hermeneutically in theologizing which is biblically based, scripturally sound and culturally sensitive, see Wan 1982b, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991a, 1991b, 1994, 1995).

Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his biblical interpretation and missiological formulation in light of his theoretical and methodological root being a linguist / communicologist? -- NO.

If one criticizes Kraft’s ethno -theology from an anthropological perspective (as I did in 1982) one is overlooking his strength in consistent and creative, insightful and innovative interdisciplinary integration (see previous quote of Ramseyer, 1984). Attacking Kraft’s view on `truth,” `revelation,” `interpretation,” etc. as presented in Christianity in Culture theologically without considering his theoretical and methodological base in linguistic and communication sciences, as did many of his critics (e.g. Carson 1987 and 1993, Conn 1978, Dryness 1980, Gross 1985, Heldenbrand 1982 and 1985, Henry 1980, Krass 1979, McQuilkin 1977 and 1980, Ramseyer 1983, Wan 1982a) is indeed a real mistake. Kraft has neither the intention nor the pretension to declare himself a theologian (whether it be an `evangelical” one or not is beside the point). On one occasion he expressed his frustration at being misunderstood, `it is unlikely that a ‘meddler’ (of theology) like myself could function competently as a theolo gian” (Kraft 1977:166).

He, (by confession `academically I am labeled an anthropological linguist,” Kraft 1977:165) is a linguist / communicologist / missiologist busying himself in his courageous venture into the hinterland of `cross -cultural theologizing” (sub -title of 1979a) dynamically (to be different from the traditional `static” approach, 1979a:32 -38), ‘open-mindedly” (to break away from the `closed -minded conservative,” 1979a:39 -41), cross-culturally (to swim against the current of mono-cultural theologizing of the regular practice of western theologians, Kraft 1979a: chapter 7), contextually (to avoid the pitfall of the old-fashioned `cultural imperialist”), progressively (termed `cumulative revelation information” of the Bible rather than `progr essive revelation” of the closed-minded evangelical, Kraft 1979a: chapters 9-12), pragmatically (for `efficiency” and `impact”), communicatively (see Figure 3). His strength in being theoretically consistent and coherent has misled him theologically. (see [ ] items on the right side of Figure 2).

Kraft is to be praised for his courage to go beyond his linguist / comminico1ogist predecessors, Nida, Pike, Smalley, Wonderly, etc. (cf. quote of Ramseyer 1983 previously), embarking on his journey, of interdisciplinary integration of `cross -cultural theologizing” by way of communication (Kraft 1973d, 1974a, 1980, 1983), psychology (Kraft 1974b, 1986), anthropology (Kraft 1975, 1977, 1 978b, 1980, 1985), theology (Kraft ¹972a, 1972b, l979a) and missiology (Kraft 1978a, 1978b). In Christianity in Culture, Kraft is charting a new path of multidisciplinary integration and in the process he might have controversially attracted criticism on his theology by the well intentioned `defenders” of the evangelical faith in the persons of Harvey Conn (1978), William Dyrness (1980), Edward Gross (1985), Carl Henry (1980), Richard Heldenbrand (1982 and 1985), and Robertson McQuilkin (1977 and 1980). Only a linguist / communicologist would be eager to develop a new `theology of com munication” and

FIGURE 4 - KRAFTS (1983) - THEOLOGY OF COMMUNICATION

COMMUNICATION THEOLOGY
(Kraft’s theological assumptions)

COMMUNICATION THEORY
(Kraft’s interdiscipline integration)

God:

- the REALITY, Originator of principle (215)

- God's communication goal: personal relationship with man (20-22)

- the MESSAGE of communication (58,207)

Assumption:

- "God abides by the communicational rules he built into his creation"; therefore "we can and should imitate God's example" (215)

- critical realism (223)

the Incarnation: (23-26)

- identificational communication (15)

we learn from Jesus: (23-26)

- personal participation in the lives of his receptors: - love = primary concern for receptor

- respects, trusts and makes himself dependent on and vulnerable to receptor

the Bible:

= record of the revelation of God's message (215) = manual / case-book of communication ( 16)

= precedents and principles of communication (16) = inspiration of message extends to method (3)

communicator should:

-adopt the receptor's frame of reference (culture, language, etc.) (41);

-have relational and specific message (21)

“truth":

- meaning determined by receptor (89-108)
- relativity, receptor-dependence (109-113)

message: (75-82)

- interaction, multiple, irretrievable, complex, 6 types

hermeneutics: (l89-190)

-interpreting the Bible = communication interpreting the “truth” (interpretational reflex)

meaning exists: (109-133)

- neither objectively (external) nor subjectively (in symbols);

- is result of interpretation; thus receptor-dependent and is relative

the Gospel: life-changing message of the Great Commission (i.e. “communicating the good news throughout the world”)(17)

Jesus is the master/effective communicator: (22-34, 195- 207)

-7 things to learn:

1) segment audience; 2) enter receptor’s frame of reference; 3) control vehicles; 4) self + message; 5) credible; 6) relevant; 7) specific

evangelism and Bible translation: -communicating for life-change (222); -the person as medium (160);

-translation as communication (171)

-10 myths of communication (35-54) -3 factors of communication: (64-75) goal, audience, method of presentation

-conversion: -“paradigm shift” (radical change of perspective) (271)

-church planting: dynamic equivalence Christian group

-receptors have needs (9);

-7 stages of receptor’s decision -making (105)

-effective communication for deep-level change: worldview, value, commitment (221-224) -dynamic communication with efficiency and impact (48, 82-88, 238-240)

NOTE: ( ) page numbering in Communication Theory for Christian Witness (1983)

Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his biblical interpretation from an evangelical perspective?

- based on “The Willowbank Report”? -- NO

- based on “The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy”? -- YES

Dr. Kraft was on of the dozens of participants and presenters (Kraft 1980b) at the Consultation on Gospel and Culture held at Willowbank, Somerset Bridge, Bermuda from 6th to 13th January 1978, sponsored by the Lausanne Theology and Education Group. “The Willo wbank Report” was published (Coote and Stott 1980:308-342) as the result of the gathering. His input at the consultation and the drafting of “The Willowbank Report” could be identified and there is no

apparent conflict between that report and his ethno-theological model.

However, implicit in Kraft’s model of ethno -theology in terms of biblical interpretation are two assumptions that are in conflict with “The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy”: i.e. his epistemological assumption is in conflict with Article III and his methodological assumption with Article V.

Firstly, in his reaction against the rationalist’s (like Carl Henry or Harold Lindsell) insistence on “propositional/objective truth” to be “static” and his avoidance of neo -orthodoxy (like Barth and Thiselton) “subjective truth,” he opted for Ian Barbour’s (1974) “critical realism” for the sake of being theoretically consistent to arrive at a “relational truth” (Walters 1982) which Kraft described as “receptor-oriented” understanding of truth (Kraft 1979a). The Bible being “God’s revelational information” is only “potential revelation” until the recipient’s proper understanding / interpreting to have the “meaning” (with the Holy Spirit as the activator).

This is at variance with Article III of “The Chicago Statement,” which states that “[w]e deny the Bible is merely a witness to revelation, or only becomes revelation in encounter, or depends on the responses of men for its validity” (Geisler 1980:494 -495). John Dahms added to A. Holmes’ (1977:34-38) two-dimensional understanding of “truth” to be three: “in biblical usage truth is sometimes a quality of propositions, sometimes a quality of persons and things (especially a characteristic of ultimate reality), and sometimes a quality of conduct or action” (Dahms 1994:8). And the “unity of truth” is to be found in the Logos — the Word— Incarnated and inscripturated. See Appendix IV for the multidimensional, multi-level, multi-contextual understanding of God’s revelation that would allow a “symphonic mu ltidisciplinary integration” under the direction of the Triune God (i.e. the Father likened to the composer, the Son the music / theme and the Holy Spirit the conductor, using the same score—the Word Incarnate and inscripturated.)

Secondly, Kraft’s ethno -theology model has a methodological assumption that is not in accordance with Article V of “The Chicago Statement”: “God’s revelation in the Holy Scriptures was progressive . . . deny that any normative revelation has been given since the completion of the New Testament writings” (Geisler 1980:495). Kraft’s model is built on the “ synchronic” dimension of “functional linguistics” and “transformational grammar” which

would lead him to be devoid of the historical dimension of the Bible in his interpretation (e.g. “ progressive revelation” and the Christian faith, e.g. Israel and the New Testament church as God’s covenant people, see Conn 1974:4; Dyrness 1980:40). His extensive, almost exclusive,

use of the communication model and the emphasis on God’s “dynamic continuous interaction”) with humanity would have similar effects of denying the closed “canon” of the Bible historically and thus confusing “inspiration” with “illumination,” see Appendix III. Here are examples of Kraft’s “unscriptural” statements:

- God has inspired and still inspires (Kraft 1979a:205; 1987:126).

- Yet in many ways tradition (‘law’), tribe and ceremony in Hebrew culture were the functional equivalents of grace, freedom, and philosophizing in Greek culture. The latter are not necessarily superior ways of expressing the Gospel, just different culturally (Kraft

1979a: 232).

- Yet I had concluded that a living God is a still revealing God (Kraft 1987:126).

The historicity and historical dimension of the Christian faith cannot and should not be lost by the indiscriminately adoption of a mere synchronic / communicational / dynamic interaction model of “time -zero” for the sake of emic -based understanding of “meaning” or efficient communication with impact, because these have ill-effects on his interpretation of the Bible and cross-cultural theologizing. Kraft’s “unscriptural” statements of Figure 2 (in [ ]) warrant some comments here.

God is not just the “MESSAGE” of Christian communication (Kraft 1979a: chapter 9; 1983:58, 207). Jesus, the Incarnate Word is not just the “master / effective communicator” (Kraft 1979a:chapter 6; 1983:23-34, 195-207; see Figure 1 and Figure 2). If “Jesus of Nazareth” (termed “form” in Kraft’s model to be considered “relative”) should be separated from the ”Christ of kerygma” (termed “meaning” in Kraft’s model to be “receptor oriented / determined”) as Kraft has done (e.g. “word/form” separated from “meaning” in linguistics and from “meaning/message” in communication) then this Christology of Kraft is no longer evangelical and this type of interdisciplinary integration (of linguistic and communication sciences with theology) is improper. The Bible, the inscripturated Word, is neither just the "the measure of revelation" nor just "the record of the revelational information from God," nor the "manual / case-book of communication" (Kraft 1979a:187-190; 1983:16, 215, see Appendix V). Carson (1977) criticized Kraft's view of the Bible "as a casebook" and made some strong statements:

He treats the Bible as a casebook, in which different narratives or passages might reasonably be applied to one particular culture but not to another . . . it appears as if Kraft's reliance on contemporary hermeneutics has simultaneously gone too far and not far enough. He has gone too far in that by treating the Bible as a casebook he does not ask how the pieces fit together. Indeed, he necessarily assumes that they do not . . . But he does not go far enough in that he fails to recognize that even basic statements such as "Jesus is Lord" are in certain respects culturally conditioned . . . "Jesus" is not an entirely unambiguous proper noun; are we referring to the Jesus of the Mormons, the Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses, the Jesus of liberal Protestantism . . . of orthodox Christianity (Carson 1993:58-59)

Kraft's use of the Bible to formulate his "theology of communication" and his application of the RO-/DE-principle in hermeneutics and cross-cultural theologizing is a violation of the general teaching (termed "plain meaning" or not being in "functional control of the Bible" by McQuilkin 1980). In simple terms, Kraft's biblical interpretation and missiological formulation is "biblical" but not "scriptural."

Since God's revelation and our interpretation have multi-dimensional, multi-level, multi-contextual complexity, evangelical interpretation and cross-cultural theologizing (Conn 1978:44- 45; Wan 1994) should not only be "biblical" but also "scriptural," not individualistic but communal and complex ("convenantal community" in Conn 1984:231-235;"complexity and necessity" in Wan 1994; see Appendix VI and Figure 5 below).

Figure 5- THE REVELATORY and HERMENEUTICAL CIRCLE

revelatory process

—>........ —> A = Bible Author (the Triune God)

B = Bible Writers (Moses to Apostle John)

A B C or D C = Christian recipients/interpreter / communicator

<—........ <— D = Non-Christian Recipients/Interpreter
hermeneutical process

As one evangelical anthropologist observed, "Kraft has opened himself up to the charge of being too beholden to the 'God of culture' and a 'high view of culture/low view of scripture'." (Hesselgrave 1991:129).

Has Kraft misused the communication and social sciences in his missiological formulation from an evangelical perspective:

- based on "The Willowbank Report"? -- NO

- based on "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy"? -- Yes

Kraft has not misused the communication and social sciences in his missiological formulation, from an evangelical perspective based on "The Willowbank Report," but did so if examined on the basis of "The Chicago Statement on Biblical Inerrancy." Implicit in his model of ethno theology are two questionable assumptions: anthropological assumption cf. Article XIV and methodological assumption cf. Article XVIII.

In contemporary linguistic science, language is considered axiomatically to be "an arbitrary system for communication" that is relative in value and morally neutral. Kraft (following Nida, Pike, etc.) made use of the translation / communication model (i.e. the RO- and DE-principle, see Figure 2) and extensively applied it to transculturation, cross-cultural theologizing and evangelism, etc. The anthropological assumption is that "culture is analogous to language in that the relationship between cultural forms and the meanings which they convey is essentially arbitrary" (Ramseyer 1983:111).

Evangelical Christian anthropologists can neither assume "culture" to be morally neutral, presupposing it to be relative in value (i.e. human cultures approximate the "scriptural" standing in varying degrees), nor merely arbitrary (i.e. the image of God, the fallenness of humanity, the transforming power of the gospel, etc., cf. reviewers: Adeney 198O:26; Henry 1980:157; Ramseyer 1983:110). The importance of the New Testament epistles in terms of fulfillment of the Old Testament books is based on the assumption of “the unity and internal consistency of Scripture” (Article XIV) and is not due to the cultural preference of mono -cultural Western missionaries and could not be opted out by any cultural groups because of cultural affinity to or preference for portions of the Bible (Kraft 1979a:chapters 13-15; cf. Carson 1987 and 1993).

“We affirm that the text of Scripture. . . den[ies] the legitimacy of any treatment of the text or quest for sources lying behind it that leads to relativizing, dehistoricizing or discounting its

teaching” is affirmed by “The Chicago Statement” (Article XVIII). It is at variance with Kraft’s
methodological assumption which is communication-reductionist and instrument-teleological.

The term “communication” used by Kraft is frequent and fluid. For a communicologist like Kraft, everything is “communication.” Yet Kraft provided no specific definition of the term “ communication” in either 1979a or 1983; the closest one of such is as follows:

The use of the terms preach and proclaim as virtually the only translations of kerusso and

several other Greek terms suggest. . . In present day English, at least, such a term is readily at hand in the word communicate. I would, therefore, contend that the broad presentation of the gospel is intended by such Greek terms as kerusso, it would be more accurate to translate it “communicate (Kraft 19783:43).

Subsequently, Kraft can include everything under the term “communicate.” According to K raft’s theology of communication (see Figure 4): “God is the MESSAGE of communication,“ “the Incarnation is identification communication,” translating and interpreting the Bible is

“ communicate,” etc. Thus “communicate” is a catch -all generic label (from God’s inspiration, redemption, and salvation to the Christian’s evangelism, theologizing, and church planting) that is so broad, so vague, so inclusive, etc. that it would confuse those who seek to communicate effectively and impactfully to use the term "communication" more carefully.

Kraft’s communication -reductionist model of the “RO - / DE-principle” (see Figure 2) has a methodological assumption that evangelical Christians would question, including his methodology statement, “the inspiration of the Bible extends both to the message and the method” (Kraft 1983:3). Reviewer Ramseyer sounded the alarm:

In far too many cases, however, it has been assumed that the gospel is simply a message to be communicated and that whatever these sciences tell us about the communication of messages can be used to facilitate the communication of the gospel (Ramseyer 1983:108)

The gospel is not like any “message.” Evangelism is not like any communication (McQuilkin 1977:40-41). Conversion is not just “paradigm shift.” The In carnation is not just “identification communication.” There are the divine dimension, the, spiritual reality, the theo -dynamic and angel-dynamic contexts (see Figure 6). In all the examples listed above, “communication” is only “the necessary bit not suffi cient” factor and is only one dimension of reality. To be com - munication-reductionistic is to be simplistic in theory, “biblical” but not “scriptural” (see Appendix IV to Appendix VI), just communicational without commitment in “heart” and “life” (see Conn 1978:43 for discussion on John Calvin’s theologia pietatis of covenant witness with covenant life).

The methodological assumption in terms of instrumental/teleological presupposition/ preoccupation (Wan 1994) is a serious problem from an evangelical perspective. Conn (1978:42; 1984:192-205) wrongly identified McGavran’s attempt to reduce the gospel to a “core" of threefold affirmations for evangelization as the result of Cartesian rationalism and stated that “the simple gospel is never that simple.” (A b etter option is to have a “center set” of approach that is theo-dynamic, Christocentric, scripturally sound and culturally sensitive, Wan 1982b, 1994). Kraft’s model of ethno theology shared the same instrumental/ teleological

presupposition/ preoccupation with success, efficiency and impact. (Even more alarming is the "functional Trinitarian" view of God embraced by both Nida (1959:53) and Kraft (1979a:195). This would explain his readiness to propose his felt-need, non-combative, receptor-oriented approach for "minimal dislocation," and maximum efficiency in his contextualized Muslim evangelism (Conn 1984:192-195; Heldenbrand 1982, 1985; Kraft 1982b; McQuilkin 1977:40) (See Figure 6).

FIGURE 6 – WAN’S ANALYSIS OF KRAFT’S (1983) MODEL

KRAFTS MODEL		WAN’S ANALYSIS
COMMUNICATION PATTERN	COMMUNICATION CATEGORY	CHRISTIAN EQUIVALENCE	MISSING ELEMENT
know and master the principle of: form, function, and meaning	surface level: multiplicity of form and function	understanding the Scripture; personal evangelism	inspiration: Bible = divine-human Book evangelism/ illumination: divine-human interaction
receptor-oriented comunication	deep-level: paradigm-shift	spiritual repentance and conversion	kernel level: personal interaction (like human sexual intimacy)
communication with efficiency and impact	goal-oriented communication	spiritual reality of being born-again	deep level: spiritual regeneration (like amalgamation with genetic pooling
DE-Christian group	successful and efficient communication	discipleship and church planting	transformed life, committed disciple, organismic church with body-life

For evangelicals the gospel is "the power of God unto salvation" (Ro 1:16-17) and theo-dynamic. Evangelism is different from other kinds of communication; similar to incarnation, inscripturation, and illumination for it is theo-dynamic in nature, Christo-centric, multi-contextual, multi-dimensional, multi-individual (the Triune God, the Bible-writer, the human messenger/ evangelist, the receptor, etc see Appendix IV and Appendix V). It is not human-centered, not merely message / meaning / means-based, not receptor-dependent alone, not outcome-determined. In Christianity, "the means" and "the messenger," are also determined by the "message" of God-revealing truth, God-redeeming power, and in a God-character way. Following Nida's lead on "supracultural/cultural, absolute/relative" principle, Kraft credited God with being the only "absolute"; everything else is relative, cultural, functional, adaptable, etc.

was for the purpose of building a biblical basis for his pragmatic/functional/relative/teleological way of theoretical formulation and missiological application.

"Scripturally" speaking, evangelism is not just a Christian's effort to minimize the negative elements of the gospel to "market it" for effective membership recruitment for a "Christian club." It is a divinely motivated/enabled/guided Christian's effort to make committed disciples (not just communicating the gospel message to appeal to the "felt-need" of the receptive recipient) whose transformed lives should be nurtured in the Christian fellowship of the church—an organism, not a social aggregate of individuals with "paradigm shift."

However, Kraft's most recent "paradigm shift" 1989:82-85) and "practice shift." (1987:127) have shown a very healthy and scriptural shift from this methodological presupposition and preoccuptaion with "gospel-marketing," receptor's felt need, consumer orientation for success, efficiency, etc. His articles (1986a, 1987b, 1991, 1992) have repeatedly emphasized “allegiance encounter,” and “truth encounter” (as suggested by reviewers Conn 1984:229 -235; Ramseyer

1983:112) in addition to the popular understanding or `power encounter,” thanks to his former colleague Paul Hiebert (for Kraft’s recognition, see 1992:215). And his books (1989, 1992, 1994a 1994b) have included the confrontational, conflicting, combative elements of the gospel and evangelism (as suggested by reviewer Ramseyer 1983:112-113). Better yet, the Trinity is involved (as suggested by reviewers Conn 1974:45, 1984231; Dyrness 1980:40; Henry 1980:163; Wan 1982b) at every stage of encounter with a sound `scriptural” foundation for `power encounter” (1992:217), `allegiance encounter” and `truth encounter” (1992:218).

This is a full circle, of going from the study of homino-culture (e.g. from linguistic and communication sciences to social sciences) to theo-culture (e.g. inspiration, incarnation, etc.), to angel-culture (e.g. power-encounter) and back to homino-culture. There is evidence of a holistic view of humanity (with the multi-dimension of cognition, volition and affection), a balanced view of human culture, a scriptural understanding of reality, a non-dualistic and nondichotomistic frame of reference, and non-reductionistic approach to ministry (Wan 1988, 1989, 1991b, 1995).

CONCLUSION

In this study, Kraft’s contribution to inter -disciplinary integration by using the communication and social sciences has been analyzed and recognized. His use/misuse of the communication and social sciences in biblical interpretation and missiological formulation have been examined and critiqued. A new concept and definition of `culture” has been proposed as a constructive suggestion for the improvement of Kraft’s theoretical and theological (evangelical) approach. This new `vari -dynamic model” will lead to a `symphonic approach” (not just dialogue or trialogue) of multi-disciplinary, multi-level, multi-contextual, multi-dimensional integration. Kraft’s recent shift from reductionistic, non -dichotomistic, non-evangelical and `unscriptural” approaches of inter-disciplinary integration is most encouraging.

It is high time for Dr. Kraft to revise his influential yet controversial book Christianity in Culture (1979a) incorporating his new insights and recent discoveries, as a contribution to evangelical scholarship in interdisciplinary integration.

REFERENCE LIST

Adeney, Miriam

1980 Christianity in Culture. Radix 2 (Jan/Feb): 25-26.

Barney, G. Linwood

1973 "The Supracultural and the Cultural: Implications for Frontier Missions." In The

Gospel and Frontier Peoples: A Report of a Consultation, Dec. 1972, edited by R. Pierce Beaver. Pp. 48-57. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library.

Berkhof, L.

1969 Principles of Biblical Interpretation. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Buswell, James O., III

1986 "Conn on Functionalism and Presupposition in Missionary Anthropology [review

article]." Trinity Journal 7:69-95.

Carson, Donald A.

1987 "Church and Mission: Reflections on Contextualization and the Third Horizon."

In The Church in the Bible and the World: An International Study. Edited by D. A. Carson. Pp. 213-257. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House

1993 "Christian Witness in an Age of Pluralism." In God and Culture. Edited by D. A.

Carson and John D. Woodbridge. Pp. 31-66. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Cohen, Percy S.

1968 Modern Social Theory. New York: Baadic Books, Inc.

Conn, Harvie M.

1978 "Contextualization: A New Dimension for CrossCultural Hermeneutic."

Evangelical Missions Quarterly 14(1): 39-46.

1984 Eternal Word and Changing Worlds: Theology, Anthropology and Mission in

Trialogue. Grand Rapids; Zondervan Publishing House.

Coote, Robert. and John Stott, eds.

1980 Down to Earth: Studies in Christianity and Culture—The Papers of the Lausanne

Consultation on Gospel and Culture. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Dahms, John V.

1995 "The Biblical Concept of Truth." Unpublished paper.. Canada: Canadian

Theological Seminary.

Dyrness, William A.

1980 "Putting the Truth in Human Terms." Christianity Today 24 (April): 515-

516.Geisler, Norman L.

1980 Inerrancy. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Gross, Edward N.

1985 Is Charles Kraft An Evangelical? A Critique of Christianity in Culture. Elkins

Park, PA: Christian Beacon Press.

Harris, Marvin

1968 The Rise of Anthropological Theory. New York:Thomas Y. Crowell Co.Hatch,

Elvin

1973 Theories of Man and Culture. New York: Columbia University Press.

Heldenbrand, Richard

1981 "Missions to Muslims: Cutting the Nerve?" Evangelical Missions Quarterly 18

(3, July): 134-139.

1985 Current issues in Foreign Missions. Warsaw, IN:Ministry to Muslims Project.

Henry, Carl F. H.

1980 ‘The Cultural Relativizing of Revelation.” Trinity Journal 1 (Fall): 153-64.

Hesseigrave, David J.

1991 Communicating Christ Cross-Culturally. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing
House.

Holmes, Arthur F.

1977 All Truth is God’s Truth. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing

Company.

1983 Contours of a World view. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing

Company.

Krass, Alfred C.

1979 “Contextualization for Today.” Gospel in Context 2(3, July): 27-30.

McQuilkin, J. Robertson

1977 “The Behavioral Sciences Under the Authority of Scripture.” Journal of the

Evangelical Theological Society 20(1, March): 31-43.

1980 “Limits of Cultural Interpretation.” Journal of the Evangelical Theological

Society 23(2, June): 113-124.

Nida, Eugene

1959 “Are We Really Monotheist?” Practical Anthropology 6: 49-54.

1971 “New Religions for Old: A Study of Culture Change in Religion.” Church and

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Poythress, Vein Sheridan

1987 Symphonic Theology: The Validity of Multiple Perspectives in Theology. Grand

Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Ramseyer, Robert L.

1983 “Christian Mission and Cultural Anthropology.” In Exploring Church Growth.

Edited by Wilbert Shenk. Grand Rapids, MI: William Eerdmans Publishing Company.

Saayman, Willem

1981 Review of Christianity in Culture by Charles H. Kraft. Miss ionalia 9(1, April):

89-90.

Scaer, David

1982 “Functionalism Fails the Test of Orthodoxy. Christianity Today (February): 90.

Shenk, Wilbert R., ed.

1983 Exploring Church Growth. Grand Rapids, MI: Wi I -ham B. Eerdmans Publishing

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Wan, Enoch

1982a “Critique of Functional Missionary Anthropology.” His Dominion (Canadian

Theological Seminary) 8(3, April).

1982b “The Theological Application of the Contextual Interaction Model of

Culture.”His Dominion (Canadian Theological Seminary) 9(1, October).

1985 ‘Tao—The Chinese Theology of God-Man.” His Dominion (Canadian

Theological Seminary), Spring, 24-27.

1988 “Spiritual Warfare: Understanding Demon iza tion.” Alliance Family (Manila,

Philippines: CAMACOP), Summer, 6-18.

1989 “Deliverance from Demonization” Alliance Family (Manila, Philippines:

CAMACOP), Spring, 8-12.

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Arnell Motz. Richmond, BC: Church Leadership Library. Pp.ll7-132

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Wolters, Al

1982 "Truth as Relational." Theological Forum 9(3 and 4): 7-11.

APPENDIX 1: PARTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES H. KRAFT

Books

1963 A Study of Hausa Syntax (3 vols.). Hartford Studies in Linguistics, vols. 8, 9, 10.

1965 Are Introduction to Spoken Hausa (textbook, workbook, tapes). African

Language Monographs 5A, 5B. African Studies Center: Michigan State University.

1966ba Workbook in Intermediate and Advanced Hausa. African Language Monograph 6B. African Studies Center: Michigan State University.

1966cb Where Do I Go From Here? (A Handbook for Continuing Language Study in the Field), with Marguerite G. Kraft. U.S. Peace Corps.

1973a Teach Yourself Hausa, with A. H. M. Kirk-Greene. English Universities Press.

1973b Introductory Hausa, with M. G. Kraft. University of California Press.

1973c Hausa Reader. University of California Press.

1979a Christianity in Culture. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books.

1979b Communicating the Gospel God'sWay. Pasadena,CA: William Carey Library.

1979c Readings in Dynamic Indigeneity, with T. Wisley. Pasadena, CA: William Carey

Library.

1981 Chadic Wordlists (3 vols.). Berlin: Verlag von Dietrich Reimer.

1983 Communication Theory for Christian Witness. Nashville: Abingdon Press.

1989 Christianity with Power. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books.

1992 Defeating Dark Angels. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books.

1994a Deep Wounds, Deep Healing. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books.

1994b Behind Enemy Lines, edited. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books.

Articles, Editorials and Chapters in Books

1963 “Christian Conversion or Cultural Conversion?” Practical Anthropology 10: 179-

187.

1964 “A New Study of Hausa Syntax.” Journal of African Languages 3: 66-74.

1969 “What You Heard is Not What I Meant.” World Vision Magazine 13: 10-12.

(Reprinted in Messenger 118(16, 1969): 20-22.)

1971a ‘The New Wine of Independence.” World Vision 15(2, February): 6-9.

1971b “Younger Churches —Missionaries and Indigeneity.” Church Growth Bulletin 7:

159-6 1.

1972a “Theology and Theologies I.” Theology, News and Notes 18(2, June): 4-6, 9.

1972b “Spinoff From the Study of Cross -Cultural Mission.” Theology, News and Notes

18(3, October): 20-23.

1972c “The Hutterites and Today’s Church.” Theology, News and Notes 18(3, October):

15-16.

1972d “Theology and Theologies II. ” Theology, News and Notes 18(3, October): 17-20.

1973a “Toward a Christian Ethnotheology." In God, Man and Church Growth, edited by

A. R. Tippett. Pp. 109-26. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

1973b “Church Planters and Ethnoling uistics.” In God, Man and Church Growth, edited

by A. R. Tippett. Pp. 226-49. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

1973c “God’s Model for Cross -Cultural Communication— The Incarnation.”

Evangelical Missions Quarterly 9: 205-16.

1973d “The Incarnation, Cross -Cultural Communication—The Incarnation.” Evangelical

Missions Quarterly 9: 277-84. A Critique of Charles KrafPs Use / Misuse 155

1973e “Dynamic Equivalence Churches.” Missiology 1(October): 39 -57. Reprinted in

Readings in Dynamic Indigeneity, edited by C. H. Kraft and T. N. Wisley. Pp. 87- 111. Pasadena: William Carey Library.

1973f “North America’s Cultural Heritage.” Christianity Today 17(8, January 19): 6-8.

l974a “Ideological Factors in Intercultural Communication.” Missiology 2: 295-3 12.

1974b “An Anthropologist’s Response to Oden.” In After Therapy What? edited by Neil

C. Warren. Pp. 136-59. Springfield, IL: Charles C. Thomas.

1975 ‘Toward an Ethnography of Hausa Riddling.” Ba Shira 6: 17-24.

l976a “Communicate or Compet e?” Spectrum (Spring Summer): 8-10.

1976b “Cultural Concommitants of Higi Conversion: Early Periods.” Missiology 4: 43 1-

42.

1976c “Inter -cultural Communication and Worldview Change.” Unpublished paper,

School of World Mission, Pasadena, CA.

1977a “Bibl ical Principles of Communication.” The Harvester 56: 262-64, 275. Edited

and reprinted in Buzz (December, 1977), New MaIden, Surrey, pp. 17, 19.

197Th “Can Anthropological Insight Assist Evangelical Theology?” Christian Scholar’s

Review 7: 165-202.

1978a “The Contextualization of Theology.” Evangelical Missions Quarterly 14: 311-36

1978b “An Anthropological Apologetic for the Homogeneous Unit Principle in

Missiology.” Occasional Bulletin of Missionary Research 10: 12 1-126.

1978c “Woridview in Intercultural Communication.” In Intercultural and International

Communication, edited by Fred L. Casmir. Lanham, MD: University Press of America.

1978d "Christianity and Culture in Africa." In Facing the New Challenges—the Message

of PACLA. Pp. 286-91. Nairobi: Evangel Publishing House.

1978e 'The Church in Western Africa" (Response #2). In The Church in Africa 1977, by

Charles R. Taber. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library.

1978f "Interpreting in Cultural Context." Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society

21: 357-67.

1979a "Dynamic Equivalence Churches in Muslim society." In The Gospel and Islam:

A 1978 Compendium, edited by Donald M. McCurry. Monriva, CA MARC.

1979b "God's Model for Communication." Ashland •Theological Bulletin (entitled

Communicating the Gospel God'sWay, chapter 1) 12(1, Spring): 3-16.

1979c "The Credibility of the Message and the Messenger." Ashland Theological

Bulletin (entitled Communicating the Gospel God'sWay, chapter 2) 12(1, Spring): 17-32.

1979d "What is the Receptor Up To?" Ashland Theological Bulletin (entitled

Communicating the Gospel God's Way.chapter 3) 12(1, Spring): 33-42

1979e "The Power of Life Involvement." Ashland Theological Bulletin (entitled

Communicating the Gospel God'sWay. chapter 4) 12(1, Spring): 43-60.

1979f "Dynamic Equivalence Theologizing." In Readings Dynamic Indigeneity, edited

by C. H. Kraft and T. N. Wisley. Pp. 258-85. Pasadena, CA: Wilham Carey Library. Reprinted from Christianity in Culture. Maryknoll NY: Orbis, 1979, pp. 231-311.

1979g "Measuring Indigeneity." In Readings in Dynamic Indigeneity, edited by C. H.

Kraft and T. N. Wisley. Pp. 118-52. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library.

1980a "Conservative Christians and Anthropologists: A Clash of Worldviews." Journal

of the American Scientific Affiliation 32(September): 140-145.

1980b "The Church in Culture—A Dynamic EquivalenceModel." In Down to Earth:

Studies in Christianityand Culture, edited by John R.W. Stott and Robert Coote. Pp. 211-230. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

1981 "The Place of the Receptor in Communication." Theology, News and Notes 28(3,

October): 13-15, 23.

1982a Foreword in Oral Communication of the Scripture by Herbert V. Klem. Pasadena,

CA: William Carey Library.

1982b "My Distaste for the Combative Approach." Evangelical Missions Quarterly

18(3, July): 139-142.

1983 Foreward in Guidelines for Christian Theology in Africa by Osadolor Imasogie

Achimota. Ghana: Africa Christian Press.

1986a "Worldview and Bible Translation." Notes on Anthropology 6 and 7 (June‑

September): 46-57.

1986b "The Question of Miracles." The Pentecostal Minister, Winter, 24-27.

1986c "Supracultural Meanings via Cultural Forms." In A Guide to Contemporary

Hermeneutics, edited by Donald K. McKim. Pp. 309-343. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.

1987a "Missionary and SIL/WBT." In Current Concerns of Anthropologists and

Missionaries, edited by Karl J. Franklin. Pp. 133-142. Dallas, TX: SIL.

1987b "Shifting Worldviews, Shifting Attitudes." In Riding the Third Wave, edited by

John Wimber and Kevin Springer. Pp. 122-134. England: Marshall Pickering.

1990 "Shifting Worldviews, Sifting Attitudes." In Conflict and Conquest, Power

Encounter Topics for Taiwan, edited by Kenneth D. Shay. Taiwan: O C International.

1991 "What Kind of Encounters Do We Need in Our Christian Witness?" Evangelical

Missions Quarterly 27(3, July): 258-265.

1992 "Allegiance, Truth and Power Encounters in Christian Witness." In Pentecost,

Mission and. Ecumenism. Essays on Intercultural Theology, edited Jan. A.B. Jongeneel. New York: Peter Lang.

1993 "Understanding and Valuing Multiethnic Diversity," with Marguerite G. Kraft.

Theology News and Notes 40(4): 6-8.

1994a "Two Kingdoms in Conflict." In Behind Enemy Lines, edited by Charles Kraft.

Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books.

1994b "Spiritual Power: Principles and Observations." In Behind Enemy Lines, edited by

Charles Kraft. Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books.

1994c "Dealing with Demonization." In Behind Enemy Lines, edited by Charles Kraft.

Ann Arbor, MI: Servant Books.

APPENDIX II – A SYMPHONIC APPROACH TO INTER-DISCIPLINEARY INTEGRATION: A VARI-DYNAMIC MODEL²

THEO-CULTURE (theo-dynamic context)

trinitario-dynamics: Trinity, Christology, pneumatology, covenant, etc.

Inspirio-dynamics: inspiration, illumination, etc.

Soterio-dynamics: predestination, atonement, etc.

ANGEL-CULTURE (angel-dynamic context)

theophano-dynamics; theophany, vision, dream, etc.

Angelo-dynamics: angiology, deliverance, etc.

Satano-dynamics: demonology, power encounter, etc.

HOMINO-CULTURE (homino-dynamic context)

Christo-dynamics: incarnation, missianology, etc.

Missio-dynamics: missio dei, possessio, elenctic, etc.

Culturo-dynamics: enculturation, assimilation, westernization, etc.

Socio-dynamics: socialization, system theory, structural analysis, etc.

Psycho-dynamics: cognitive analysis, worldview studies etic /emic, etc.

Behavioral-dynamics: reciprocity, kinesics, proxemics, etc.

Linguistic-dynamics: descriptive linguistics, semantics, etc.

² The "vari-dynamic model" (as in aerodynamic or thermodynamic model) includes the various dynamic systems within the model.

APPENDIX III – A SYNOPSIS OR REVELATION, INSPIRATION AND ILLLUMINATION(Wan 1994:6)

Revelation Inspiration Illumination

Key Question What is communicated? How is it communicated? Why is it communicated??

Answer the material I message the method of the meaning of record

communicated recording

Focus - What The product The process The practical and spiritual enlightenment

-Who The revealer, the The instrumental The receiver of the

author Bible writers message

Objective The communication The complete in- man through the

of God’s message fallibility of Holy Spirit (1Cor

to man God’s message 2:13.14)

through man

Objective / objective disclosure objective disclosure Subjective apprehension

Subjective and or subjective

appreciation

(1Co 7:10, 12,25.40)

Subject The self- God’s chosen few all God’s children

revealing God

Time Past historical Past historically Present process of

fact: special terminated conviction and

revelation e.g. event: inspiring conversion

incarnation and Bible writers by

inspiration present- the Divine

continued effects: Author (Rev

creation and 22:18.19)

conscience

Technical Special revelation: Inscripturation: None

Term(s) i.e. redemptive the process of the

revelation both in inspired truth as

Christ the living Word infallible and

(incarnation Heb 1:2, authoritative

Jn 1:14) and the truth of faith and

inspired/inscripturated practice

Word

General revelation: Inerrancy:

creation and the trustworthiness and

conscience truthfulness of God’s

(Ps 19; Rom 1 and 2) inspiration.

based on the historic

truth Plenary inspiration:

all parts of the O.T and N.T. are inspired and infallible

Catchy Phrase Inspiration with- Inspiration including Inspiration with

out revelation as revelation as in the illumination as

in the Book of Apocalypse (Rev in the Prophets

Acts (Ac 1:4) 1:1-11) (1Pe 1:11).

Inspiration including illumination as in the case of Paul (1 Cor 2:12)

Similarity All dealing with God’s interaction with humans of the Scripture leading to a

better knowledge of God and his plan of salvation for humanity

APPENDIX V - GOD’S REVELATION TO MAN (Wan 1994:7)

(multi-dimension, multi-level, multi-context)

CATEGORY \ DIMENSION		THE WORD (INCARNATION)	IN THE WORD (INSCRIPTURATION)	THROUGH THE WORD (INTERPRETATION)
NATURE OF TRUTH		essential and efficient	essential: being God’s Ward	efficient: becoming Gods Word
PRESENTATION OF TRUTH		personal and propositional	propositional	personal
PERSPECTIVE - CHRISTIAN		objective and subjective	objective	subjective
TIME		historical and historic	historical	historic
PROCESS		completed and continuous	completed	continuous
WORK / LEVEL:	Divine	the Christ perfect God	H.S.: Author, inspiring	H.S: illuminating
WORK / LEVEL:	Human	the Jesus: perfect Man	Bible writers: inspired	interpreter: exegeting
PRODUCT		divine-human Perfect Being	divine-human perfect Book	imperfect efforts need divine aids
CONTEXT:	historico-	past and present	past	past-> present
	culture-	dual level: theo-culture homino-culture	multi-faceted: Jewish/Hellenistic /Aramaic/Roman	multiple in no. and variety of cultures
	linguistic-	heavenly/Gk/Aramaic/ Hebrews	multi-lingual: Heb/Gk/Aramaic	many contemporary languages

APPENDIX VI –

CONTEXTUAL INTERACTION OF THE TRIUNE GOD’S REVELATION TO MAN

(Wan 1994:8) (multi-dimension, multi-level, multi-context)

CONTEXT\	THE WORK	THE WORD		THROUGH THE WORD
theo-culture	GENERAL REVELATION	SPECIAL REVELATION		INTERPRETATION / TRANSLATION
Homino- culture
	H.S. Son	FA H.S.	FA Son	FA Son
	FA universe and mankind	Son Jesus = God -man Being	H.S. Bible = divine -human Book	H.S. contemporary interpreter/translator
	CREATION and CONSCIENCE	INCARNATION	INSPIRATION and INSCRIPTURATION	REGENERATION and ILLUMINATION

APPENDIX VI- TILE TWO QUESTIONS: BIBLICAL? SCRIPTURAL?

Text Box: (Wan 1994:12)

=/=
biblically based scripturally based

- descriptive - prescriptive

- precedent - principle

- cultural / temporal - trans-cultural / eternal

Editor’s Note: Republished with permission from William Carey Library. Originally published as chapter 8 of Evangelical Missiological Society series #4: Missiology and the Social Sciences – Contributions, Cautions, and Conclusions, edited by Edward Rommen and Gary Corwin, William Carey Library: Pasadena, 1996.