Contextualization to Avoid Syncretism through Power Encounter - by Joyce Lok

Abstract

Power encounter is common among Christians in China. It is often a turning point leading to accepting Jesus as Savior. The danger of power encounters alone shaping a salvific understanding of Christianity is the possibility of syncretism with animism, which has its roots in worshiping power in the universe. In order to understand the danger of syncretism with animism, both church members and pastors were interviewed. The contents from the interviews are compared to a framework proposed by Hayward, in order to find out ways of contextualization to prevent syncretism.