Sárospataki Füzetek 19. (2015)
2015 / 3. szám - TANULMÁNYOK - Rácsok Gabriella: A kultúra teológiai megközelítései - meghatározó 20. századi modellek
A kultúra teológiai megközelítései - meghatározó 20. századi modellek Abstract Contextual Approaches to Theology - Influential 20th Century Models This study, on the one hand, describes two dominant examples from 20th century systematic theological approaches (Paul TILLICH and Karl Barth), and on the other hand, surveys some major models of contextual approaches (transformational and translational) to theology. By this our aim is to get a better understanding of the relation between the Gospel and contemporary culture, which can also provide some insights for the church’s attitude to contemporary (and popular) culture. The different emphases in theological approaches to culture may show not mutually exclusive, but rather complementary directions. Paul Tillich’s theology, due to its apologetic character, may help the church hear contemporary quests for meaning (existential questions) and interpret them as quests for Godfor the audience of contemporary culture. Karl Barth’s approach warns us that the self-revealing God may provide such true words or worldly parables outside the Scriptures and the church which, by the grace of God, may become unconscious and involuntary witnesses of the One True Word. Since film162 as an intermediary means enables trans-cultural (and cross-cultural) communication and contextualization, it is possible to consider the relationship of theology and film from a contextual theological view of culture. When theology looks at film merely as an instrumentfor illustrating, it may correspond to the translational contextual model. For mission it means translating the Gospel into the language of the cinematic medium or contemporary culture in order to transfer the message more effectively (cf. Jesus movies). The trans-cultural contextual model takes into account the host culture, and seeks ways in which the Gospel can be relevant in that particular culture. This approach takes into consideration that the receiver has his/ her own culture and context, and recognizes the importance of these needs, since the Gospel must address these relevantly. In the relationship of theology and film it is still theology that sets the direction for interpretation; its own interpretation paradigms suggest implicit religious or theological content and significance for the receiver / viewer (cf. Christ-figures in film). The transformational contextual model recognizes that the receiver filters the message communicated to him/her in a way that the Gospel is set in different light for him/her. The Gospel as text enters interaction at several levels-, it interacts with the contexts of the filmmaker and the viewer. Both text and context are transformed. New dimensions are revealed in the Gospel which have not been revealed in other contexts. This does not mean that the (cinematic) representation of the 162 This study is the fifth chapter of my dissertation (Film as a Means in Missions in Today's Changing Religiousity) defended in 2013. The remaining chapters of the dissertation deal with the following themes: 1) Today's Changing Religiosity; 2) Religion, Finding and Making Meaning, Mediatisation; 3) Theology and Film; 4) The Assessment of the Media and Film Medium in International Church and Mission Documents. 2015-3 Sárospataki Füzetek 19. évfolyam 97
